I'd like to know: how is deciding not to patronize a business or group of businesses in your area-that have a demonstrated history of poor customer service-a racist act?
The tension between non-black small business owners who set up shop (but almost never live) in working-class to poor black neighborhoods and their black customers is well-documented. For those who aren't familar with this issue, the best bet would be to read some articles about this subject. I'm sure many urban newspapers-LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free Press, etc.-have chronicled this issue.
Many of the problems associated with this issue include, but aren't limited to:
-Poor customer service
-Inflated prices
-Low number of local residents employed by
said businesses
-Failure to clearly communicate "no
refunds/exchanges" policies
-Lack of participation in local business
associations, lack of support for local
institutions
-Lack of cooperation between residents and
businesses to address and solve problems
and tensions
-Perception that most/all customers have
predisposition to theft
I personally don't believe in the "you/they never-you/they always" school of thought. However, with regards to this issue, I have noticed a pattern with respect to MANY (not all) of the non-black small business owners I have encountered in my city. While it would be entertaining for everyone to get all flustered and resort to name-calling about this issue, I am more inclined to look for solutions. At the moment, my solution is to not patronize ANY business that doesn't act like it wants my business. If there is recourse to report bad behavior, I do it. The problem with many of the businesses previously described is that since the business owners and/or their family members are the front-line managers/staff, they seldom act on any rational, thoughtful complaints or suggestions for improvement.
I would interested to hear others' SOLUTIONS to this problem.
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