Please share your "you don't think we're like that" story

[JustAnotherGen]

13. So I'm in The Limited in Pittsburgh PA

I had just closed a deal for a Platinum Dealer - totally pumped. It was the day that the ABC show "Lost" Premiered. I'll always remember that because I was excited to see the show. I planned on doing a little tax free clothe shopping, take a shower and order room service and watch the show.

So I'm at the counter and had just paid for my clothing - again - excited. This was a Pre IPO Tech company and I'd been there a few months. Long sales cycle - and our FIRST Platinum deal. That's why they hired me - they knew I could close.

And as I'm putting my wallet away one of the little girls at the counter comments on how I look like a Christie doll - you know - the black Barbie. I remember this - she said I had a cute Cookie cutter nose (I remember that) and perfect body. I thanked her - thought it was odd but eh? Thank her and start to leave and one of the idiots says - Yeah! Like ghetto Barbie.

And I stood there stunned. I'm not sure if I was totally stunned - or if my arrogance kicked in. And I think it was the manager who said, "Oh! She didn't mean it like that."

I didn't do the return thing - those were cheap tax free jeans in that bag. But I did state - you never know who someone is and what their background is. And regardless - it was demeaning.

Now the next day I ran a few calls and drove down to Aliquippa to have dinner at my Aunt Clara and Uncle Frank's house. My Aunt Lela came over. I would do this is I was in a city where I had family. And I related this to those two birds - and let me tell you - they were piiiissssssed. And they hurt for me. Because they GOT it.

They shouldn't have said it to anyone - but that's the type of shit they put up with as young WELL educated women in Jim Crow. Aunt Clara today is 88 - so that gives a frame of reference of her life experience. All of those years - and still a stereotype over rules accomplishments.

Now I ask - what does a lower financial class black woman do in that situation? How does it FEEL?

I did write HQ - because I was connected a VP of marketing at Limited Brands. But I've never stepped foot in any of their stores since then. Ten years now?

That one comment - to me - that's WHAT they are. And another dose of arrogance - I can afford Brooks Brothers and BCBG and WHBM and J Jill so there's no reason for me to shop there. No loss.

And I never watched Lost. I've always associated it with that incident because it kept playing over and over while I was trying to watch it.