This week, a bailiff stopped me and acted as though I was in the wrong place as I walked through a portion of the courthouse that is restricted to attorneys and judges.
I'm an attorney. I was wearing a suit and conducting myself just like every other attorney in that area.
This is not the first time that has happened. I can think of several other instances in various counties where courthouse security has assumed that my black skin means I must not be an attorney.
I'm tired of it.
@eric I’m honestly examining myself and wondering if at some point I would have reacted the same. We live in an area that is nearly 90% white and yet no one I knew talked openly about race in front of me until my 20s.
Not an excuse for this behavior on his part but I think it shows why white people need to have these kinds of conversations & address their biases. Thank you for sharing this story.
Good message to pass on, not that I have many followers
Good luck
@eric I am sorry that this happened to you. Unfortunately, it reminded me of a similar incident I read about here in Aotearoa/NZ last year. This is systemic racism in action.
#Racism #SystemicRacism
https://www.thecoconet.tv/coco-talanoa/coco-news/top-samoan-lawyer-mistaken-for-criminal-defendant/
by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller Tiana Epati spent four years as president of the New Zealand Law Society, but was held up by security when security wrongly thought she was one of the accused. The barrister and former crown prosecutor posted about the incident to her Instagram story on Monday. “So it finally happened. Got mistaken for a criminal defendant this morning when going to enter court,” she wrote. “Held up by security and asked for my name on the [court appearance] list.” “Thought I would include a selfie to show I was actually wearing one of my nicest suits too.
@eric What State did this happen in?
So sorry.
@eric Forgot to add, I live in a small "rural" town & they only hire black people b/c of EO and/or affirmative action. We have very few black people in our town & 99% do not stay b/c they don't have relatives here & well... I'm sure you can figure out the rest.
I was shocked when I moved here & realized what took place, it's like silent #racism , not sure that's even a term. Sickening.
@MiaLis79 I appreciate that, but I can't move and wouldn't really want to anyway.
I can't because I've built a law practice, bought an office building, and have kids who are doing well in their (quite good) school here on the IL/IA border.
I'm originally from Chicago and while I miss the food and reduced racism, there are still more pros than cons about where I live now. Plus, I would rather address this issue than leave it unaddressed for the future.
Still, it is frustrating.
@eric Completely understandable.
Glad to hear your kids are doing great in their school, that puts a smile on my face.
I can relate to missing good food when you move to a rural area.
And, good for you for deciding to address the issue vs. leaving. However, frustration is prob an understatement. Keep at it though!!!
Personally, I feel racism will recede faster when more white ppl join w/Black-brown people to help end it.
@eric Couldn't agree more!
I can't think of a quick analogy but one that comes to mind- Bullying won't end unless those who bully part ways w/the "top" bully and defend the child or adult who's being bullied.
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