Aremuorin

What would you do? I was in Knightsbridge, last week, at the bar with 2 white musicians, colleagues – saying hello to them …

Then, a white waitress wanted to walk pass-through us. What does she do? She puts her hand on my shoulder and pushes me out of the way, without a word, or looking back – as she made her way through.

Now – Do I kick up a storm, complain or retaliate. The funny part is, it was like a dream, that I even asked the friends with me, – did she she just push me out of the way. They just stood their looking at each other – motionless.

I used the term friends loosely, politely – as they are more colleagues than friends. If – they were genuinely, my friends (as it’s transpired), they would have done something. So, they are the least of my concerns. I’m pretty sure their version will be ‘I saw nothing’, politely. I’m more concerned with how to defend myself, or confront this ugly issue in future, because it is going to happen again – to someone, somewhere, who is of an ethnic minority origin. Especially, when in an organisation run by non-ethnic minors. This really breaks my heart – for real!

Actually, it gets better – as she walked away, she left her hands on my shoulder – until she was out of reach. My instinctive, bewildered reaction was, asking the guys with me – ‘Did she just …’. Then, I said to them – ‘Rude – How Rude’, until it faded on my lips. Till now, I’m still baffled. Who put that sh*t in her head – in 2015. When we talk of institutional racism – bigotry is deep! …’ I would never do that to anyone, in spite of their race or gender ..’ My DNA won’t champion bigotry.

Desperately wanted to say something, at least to the manager – but I kid you not, it was, and is, still a part shock, suprise and day dream. So, I was torn between the 3. Like – Really! I recall, taking a good look at her a few times throughout the evening, almost wanting to burst out with the wrong things to say to her – even thou they felt so right at the time, but resisted. Would like to think, I know better than that – to be caught up. Mercy! Racism is easy. No is all we need to say. Happy New Year – Everyone!