I'm A Hipster-Looking White Girl And I Would NEVER Be Arrested At Starbucks For Waiting For My Friend
Start writing a post
Politics

I'm A Hipster-Looking White Girl And I Would NEVER Be Arrested At Starbucks For Waiting For My Friend

Let's not pretend we don't see what's happening here.

430
I'm A Hipster-Looking White Girl And I Would NEVER Be Arrested At Starbucks For Waiting For My Friend
@kazweida on Twitter

If I waited for my friend at Starbucks, I would not be arrested.

That's a statement you can agree with if you take a look at me. I'm a 5'5" white girl with pretty hipster-looking glasses; honestly, I blend right into the place. But when someone enters that space who is stereotypically deemed "threatening" because of hyped up, racist conversations around them, they'll probably get a few glaring glances and elongated, intense stares.

In cases like these, they might even get the police called on them, ending in their arrest.

In Philadelphia, the police came to arrest two black men at a local Starbucks. Their crime? Attempting to use the bathroom before they placed their orders while they waited for a friend to show up. I really don't think anyone would call 911 if I tried to do that. I don't "appear" threatening, nor do I have negative stereotypes around me that would enforce a fearful view of who I am and what I'm "capable of."

That's the issue at hand. It's that I know for a fact I—and the same is likely for any other white person who was dressed like or looked like me—would not have the police called on me. I have so much privilege I don't even know what to do with it. Walking into a coffee shop and waiting for a friend would not inspire a sense of panic or worry in me because, unless I seriously caused a disruptive scene or performed any behavior not permitted or normalized within that space and didn't stop, the police would have no business going near me, and they had no business apprehending these men.

Let's not pretend we don't see what's happening here.

Let's speak out against the treatment of innocent people because of the color of their skin and existing fears of and stereotypes against them. My dream is to live in a racism-free world, and the only way we can achieve that is if we stand up for strangers to whom wrong has been done.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58541
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37733
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959318
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194109
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments