there are a number of people I see around in the building where I work and am on friendly terms with. we greet each-other & exchange pleasantries when we happen to run into one-another as we go about our business.

one of these people works as a cashier in the cafeteria downstairs. she asks after my holiday plans & I ask how hers was, if she’s going to visit her out-of-town family—that sort of thing. she has dark brown skin and speaks English with a slight accent, as though it’s not her first language. she’s a Trainer for the foodservices group, so it’s not at all uncommon to see an unfamiliar face sitting with her. this week, she is training a young white man (probably in his early twenties) who has light eyes and speaks unaccented English.

yesterday, she and I exchanged the usual pleasantries as she rang up my lunch. I smiled at & acknowledged the person she was training, as I usually do. at that point, he commented that he was just keeping an eye on my friend to make sure she didn’t make any mistakes. she & I both were surprised by this comment, and immediately she scoffed, “Oooooh! You’re keeping an eye on meee!? Okayyy!”. I couldn’t believe this white boy was trying to imply that his trainer—a Woman of Color (who is likely an immigrant) was the one who needed supervision in this situation. I said to him, “Ah, well then you have a very easy job,” as I mentally rolled my eyes at him & thought ‘none of your nonsense today, cracker!”

my friend and I exchanged parting salutations & was on my way.

white people, this is why nobody trusts you