Verdict? The readers’ court is open

Three weeks ago, I asked readers whether I was seeing ghosts of the past or discrimination against me during a recent shopping experience.

I asked the question because as a Black person, there are situations where I feel blatant discrimination.

And I certainly felt that way when I stormed out of ShopRite Milford in a rage back in February after two employees made it so obvious that I was being watched, I felt I had no choice but to leave the store.

I walked around the parking lot for a few minutes to calm down before going back inside to talk to the manager.

And what she had to say floored me.

Specifically, when I asked why I was being surveilled while whites in the selfcheckout lanes were being ignored, she said, “Well, we’ve been having problems.”

The implication was clear: somebody Black stole from the store so all Black people in the self-checkout lane are now being eyed for suspicious activity.

I told her to take a look at the newspaper on the rack inside the store and she would see my face. But even with that, I am still perceived as a potential thief.

ShopRite may as well put up a sign that reads, “Whites only in the selfcheckout lanes.” Because the only thing missing is that sign.

At least with that — as ugly as it is — I could spare myself the indignity of being discriminated against and humiliated while I spend my hard-earned money.

As a minority, I have learned to live with the fact that — at least initially — I will be judged by the bad things other minorities allegedly do.

But maybe I am wrong. Maybe because I am a minority, I am too sensitive and I perceived discrimination where none existed. Maybe I wasn’t being discriminated against at ShopRite.

That is why I decided to put the gavel in readers’ hands and let them be the judge.

I think it is fair to say that everyone going through the self-checkout lane at supermarkets is a suspect.

Supermarkets certainly have the right to protect their profit margins and to guard their merchandise against theft.

But they do not have the right to discriminate while doing so.

Here is what happened: I entered the self-checkout section with a cart full of groceries. There was an employee stationed at the entrance and one stationed at the exit.

As I approached the middle scanner, there was a customer to my left and two to my right with their backs to me.

As I began scanning my items, both employees moved forward until they were stationed to my left and my right. This isn’t unusual and I have no complaints about that.

What I am complaining about, and where — at least in my mind — there was discrimination, was in the actions of the employees.

While they stood watching me, they had their backs to the white customers who continued to scan merchandise without anyone watching over them.

And that continued until I stormed out.

These employees were young men — I would guess somewhere between 18 and 22. That made it worse for me because I am past 60 and wonder, when does the discrimination stop.

I immediately sent an email to ShopRite’s headquarters asking them to review the surveillance tape — which I know captured the incident — so we could discuss this.

Here is their response: “First, we want to thank you for your feedback regarding your recent shopping trip. We are concerned to hear of your experience. At ShopRite, our customers are the most important part of our business and customer service is top priority. Your feedback is very important because it helps us focus on issues that require improvement.

“As you may know, ShopRite stores are owned and operated by independent companies,” the mail response said. “Wakefern provides the stores with products and retail support services, but the store owner ultimately controls the day-to-day operations. We’ve sent a copy of the information you provided to the owner of this store for further follow up with their management team. If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.”

I haven’t received a response from ShopRite Milford, nor do I expect to receive one. I learned a long time ago that when it comes to racial discrimination, companies would prefer to ignore the complaint and let you stew in rage while they keep hoping something bad doesn’t happen.

Then, they send out their PR hacks and their prewritten or prerecorded “we value our customers …” speech, which I don’t believe for a second.

ShopRite can dispute this — and I wish they would. They have the tape so I say to them, prove me wrong. Show us the tape and explain why this isn’t discrimination.

But they can’t do that. The tape will show exactly what I have written: their employees’ backs were to the white customers while they zeroed in on me.

I don’t go into ShopRite to steal and, quite frankly, I only shop there because I love their bakery.

But it will be a long time before I walk into another ShopRite because I won’t be turned into public enemy No. 1 because supermarkets want to save money on labor.

It is one thing to discriminate; it is another to say “we don’t care.”

In previous columns, I told readers it is what you don’t see that is driving the protests and anger across the nation.

This is an example — or is it?

Was I discriminated against or am I seeing ghosts?

Verdict? The readers’ court is open.