Experiencing bias

As a minority, specifically an African American, you are prepared as a child for racism and biasness. We deal with them on a regular bases so it is important to develop a thick skin. I have experienced several incidents of biasness, oppression, and racism in my life. One incident really stands out to me because I was not prepared for it at all.

 

The first incident took place shortly after the death of my father. I was 18 and my father had died from a massive heart attack. I was not coping well. I was an emotional mess. My father had named the benefactor for his life insurance so I went to the bank to deposit the check from the life insurance company into my bank account. I endorsed the check at the bank, filled out a deposit slip, walked up to the counter and handed the check and deposit slip to the teller who was a older White woman.

 

The teller, looked at the check and asked me why I had a check for such a large amount of money. I ignored the question and calmly asked her to complete my transaction and give me a receipt for the deposit. The teller replied " how does someone like you get this amount of money?" I told her that it was none of her business and the teller responded by calling over security and telling him that she was afraid that I was committing fraud. 

 

I began crying, overwhelmed by my Dad's death/ the unexpected racism/ the rudeness,  and asked to see the bank manager. The security guard refused to call the bank manager and escorted me out of the bank. I went home and told my Mom and step-father what happened. They immediately called the bank and asked to speak to the branch manager. When this request was refused, they called our family lawyer who promptly advised me to write an official account of what happened.

 

Via our lawyer, we requested an official apology from the bank, diversity training for its employees, and an appropriate reprimand for the teller and the security guard. After an investigation by the Bank of America, we did receive all requests and both involved employees did apologize to me in person (which was something that I requested).

 

This event was traumatizing to me. It made me sad, nausea, and angry. At that time and throughout the years since I have wondered how many people experienced a similar situation but did not have the support of a lawyer available to them.