Yesterday I went to The Paper Source at 919 W. Armitage for workshop. I got there at 10:15; workshop started at 11:00. First of all, can I just say that I was there from 10:15 until 1:30, and I was the only black person in the entire store. Period. If any came in and snuck out, I didn’t see them.
Anyway, when I told the instructor of the workshop that I was there for the lesson, she looked at me like I had two heads. I took that as a sign that not many black people took her class. Everything went OK from there.
I went into a couple resale shops in Lincoln Park since I was there, it was obvious they didn’t get many black people in their stores. I wanted to think that my bright red coat was the cause of their reaction, but that wouldn’t have been close to the truth. I wondered if they watched me during my entire visit to the store??? I don’t know. All I know is, I cannot image how big, burly black men feel going into all-white establishments. Especially in Chicago.
I’m not going to lie. I was a bit freaked out because I didn’t see any chocolate people walking down Halsted while I was there. I didn’t see any Hispanics, either. So, I called two of my friends and my mother to let them know my whereabouts. I can’t be disappearing for no good reason.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to the day when I walk into those stores again (yes, I will be going back), I’m going to make like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. I’m going to blast all those women who accosted me with their eyeballs. I’m going to get a truckload of merchandise, take it to the register, pull out a platinum American Express, and then tell them I don’t want it. That way, they’ll be pissed AND will have to put all that stuff back. Then, I’m going to leave the store and catch a yellow dot sale at Carson’s. Hey, why waste money paying full price for clothes??
I just wanted to share that story for now. I am sure I’m going to have more stories about being black in Chicago. Sigh…….