I stood at the front, clearly looking at the carry-out menu. The server working today decided to ignore me--didn't even ask if I had any questions. Fast forward 10 minutes. She chooses to seat 3 parties of white customers and check on 4 tables of more white customers all while looking over at me waiting to be helped. It wasn't until I crossed my arms that a bartender came over and asked if she could take my order.
People often ask, "Why does everything need to be made about race?" This is why, folks. Intentional or not, serving white customers while clearly bypassing a person of color sends a message of systemic racism. I mean, how threatening can a brown dude in a dad hat look? Seriously. I just wanted to order my grilled cheese and go. The sad part? My grilled cheese came out cold. 'Twas a failed airport food adventure.