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In the latest installment of its 'What would you do?' series, 'ABC News' turns on its hidden cameras to show the world what racism, indifference, compassion and solidarity look like up close in the real world.The setting for 'Would you stop racism?' is an upscale New York boutique. Actors portrayed a black woman verbally insulted and falsely accused of stealing by a white actress who plays a racist sales girl. The black actress is then patted down in rough style and further insulted by a white male portraying the security guard. We watch the actors' every move. But the hidden cameras are also capturing the reactions of the shop patrons. Watching the array of reactions is compelling and informative.
Many shoppers avert their eyes in discomfort and say nothing. Another woman is so troubled by the sales woman's racist accusations and the scene playing out right beside her that she breaks down sobbing. These folks represent what happens when we feel helpless.
But when people feel empowered, they can go one of two ways. They become part of the solution or part of the problem. In one instance, the cameras caught the racist statements of a white man shopping with a companion. As the black actress is loudly defending herself, the white man says, "I bet she played the black card."
Why am I not surprised? But here's the kicker. When John Quinones confronts the man outside the store, the man cops a sympathetic tone, completely distancing himself from what every viewer just heard (watched) him say. Later, a black man shopping with his wife and daughter protests loudly against the store personnel. He urges the young woman to contact officials and refuses to stay and shop.
But the moment that most moved me is the final one in the piece. A white woman is so disgusted with what she is hearing and seeing, she not only refuses to continue shopping but she inspires the other patrons to drop their purchases and storm out of the store. It is a beautiful moment that will warm your heart.
Racism exists. Racial profiling is illegal and experiencing it alters you. But I think the bigger blow to the spirit and danger to our society at large is when good people stand by silently as they watch injustice playing out.
What would you do?
+ Full Video Here
+ Community Discussion - 'OH HELL NAW!'
+ Black and Shopping in America (CNN)
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Comments: (53)
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By: Fierce on 3/27/2009 11:19AM
Did you notice it was the EUROPEANS that were willing to take a bullet for her? That is because they are evolved, sophisticated, secure people & hate is foreign to them. They look down on hateful white americans. They led the way. What a damn SHAME!
The few compassionate americans were stifled. That how it is in real life. Hopeless!
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By: Dana on 3/27/2009 12:15PM
It is indeed true that Europe’s lower echelon, the bullies, those of criminal minds, thuggery & barbarism are the ones that migrated to American because European jails were full. Some of them settled in Texas, some made it to the White house, run our National debt to $12 TRILLION mainly motivated by thuggery & savagery (Iraq). They stole, screwed, exploited every race (Native Americans, Japanese, Blacks, Arabs, you name they've screwed you)with violence. That Ladies & Gentlemen is the explanation for the hell the whole world is in right now, so God help us!
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By: Debra on 3/27/2009 12:32PM
Some of them made to WALLSTREET! Greedy un-conscientious PIGS!
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By: Just Saying... on 3/27/2009 1:07PM
Ask any black American and you would see this is an everyday fact of life. Personally, I go as far as asking the security guard to push my cart. No surprise that the European whites spoke up and not the American whites. As a Black American, this story is just a notation of the obvious.
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By: Yvonne F. Beatty on 3/29/2009 2:30AM
I am a Black senior mobility impaired - three strikes against me. I have been ignored, insulted and mistreated in some of the stores that I have visited. I come from a generation that recognizes the overt racism of some ignorant store clerks. In some instances, people standing by will offer input and assistance. Even in this day and age there is a lot of sugbtle actions that cause problems in the stores where I try to shop.
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By: Melissa on 3/27/2009 1:18PM
Unfortunately people don't stand up for what is right in most situations. I don't know if it is because people are afraid of what might happen if they interject into a situation or what the problem is but no one seems to care too much about strangers anymore. There was a man that was run over by a car last year, caught on a surveillance camera and NO ONE did anything about it. Cars slowed down to look and never stopped, so unfortunately I am not really surprise that most of the people didn't stand up for her. We need to come together as a community, as a nation and look out for one another.
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By: osirus sons on 3/28/2009 5:20PM
the CAUASIAN man is a kind of man that's why he called himself MANKIND.he has no SOUL he is the beast of the field.they came from the CACUS-MONTHAIN in EUROPE.us colored people jus don't want to recognize the wolfs.what did we do to these devils for them to treat us like this? i want to say to all colored folks you can't change the beast man he is a savage and currupt being by nature .we have to stay out of his way .nature is going to destroy them..
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By: robbie on 4/02/2009 12:51AM
The comment above mine highlights the racism issue in the U.S. You are ignorant and you sicken me...stop blaming everyone for your problems. After all...if I cut you...would you still bleed the same color blood with the same amount of chromosomes as me...Would you not hurt just the same. I'm a white man, who is absolutely not racist, and it actually disgusts me to read stuff from this page because I feel that I must defend my race...which is rediculous because my best friend is black.
"Faith means believing what is incredible, or it is no virtue at all. Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all. And Charity means pardoning what is unpardonable, or it is no virtue at all." - G.K. Chesterton, Heritics
This adresses Corintheans...and charity is also translated as LOVE.
I have faith everyone will stop spreading hate...I hope they will see the error of their ways...and I forgive you for your hate...its time to let go.
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By: leedoc2 on 3/27/2009 2:37PM
I watch this on tv and I swear this is true. I at one time work for the gap in West LA during that time the store manager was a lady name Cindy a white lady. I swear Cindy spent most of her shift running after any Black or Hispanic that would enter the store. We also notice that one of the cashier and her had a little code for when a black or Hispanic would use a credit card or try and write a check for there purchase. Cindy would go to the back office to call the bank or credit card company leaving the customer out at the cashier stand wondering what was the problem. Cindy would come out and tell the biggest lie with a smile on her face. I know you are wondering how come you Didn't do anything? Well I did. when I couldn't take it anymore I went to upper management. Here was the outcome. I was fired. after I complain about the manager I come to work and I am being wrote up. and the next day I was told to report to the district office where i was let go. I was much younger and didn't know what to do, the GAP bank on the face that I didn't know. until this day I often think of my experience At the Gap . Most People do not know what to do or what options are there for them. A lot incidents goes unreported because companies that practice this kind of behavior is supported by the company, When someone calls to complain the first thing is offered is s gift card or some kind of credit. this is being offered hoping or to stop one from filing a law suit . the worst display of racism is Rodeo Drive Beverly hills California . Now here is where fields trip should be taken so all America can get a look at what racism look and feels like.
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By: Delena on 3/27/2009 4:48PM
It still amazes me that people still buy into that false sense of superiority that some whites seem to have. Well, with Madoff, white homeowners getting evicted and foreclosed upon, whites being in debt up to their eyeballs, gossip girl, ponzi scamers, drugs, abortions, drinking until they pass out, the wheels have come off of the wagon!!!! The gig is up!!
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