1 /5 Dr. Jane White: Stay Away people of color!
We walked into the store that day, full of excitement—especially my granddaughter, who was visiting from Georgia and couldn’t wait to pick out the perfect gift for her grandfather. But as soon as we stepped inside, it was as if we were invisible. No one greeted us, not even a glance in our direction. We wandered the aisles, hoping for some acknowledgment, but the staff seemed to look right through us. Then, another customer entered. Instantly, the staff lit up—smiling, offering help, and making them feel welcome. My granddaughter’s joy faded. The anticipation she’d felt just moments before was replaced by confusion and disappointment.
Later, at the dinner table on Father’s Day, she turned to her grandfather with a heavy question. She asked how she should handle situations where people make assumptions based on color or appearance, especially since she’s about to start at Duke University. She wanted to know how to carry herself with dignity in places where she might not always be seen or valued, and how to respond when the world doesn’t offer her the same warmth it so easily gives to others. Her question was more than about a shopping trip—it was about learning to navigate a world where, too often, belonging is not a given, but something you have to fight for.
