February 2025

January 2025

An Example of Inherent Racism

By Lora Harrington-Pride
Posted: 07/14/2024

The son who is a building engineer, whom I wrote about before in the “slapping incident” at a civic center, is still experiencing racism on his job, which he has worked for 30+ years, only now he is 64 instead of 40. 

This time he was in the parking facility of the center, seated in a machine called a “Boom Lift”.  The lower part of the machine supports an extensive ladder-like apparatus which in turn holds a basketed platform, created to hold one man as he is lifted to building tops and lighting posts which loom into the sky; a very daunting piece of equipment.

My son, turned to find a white woman in her senior years, same as he, who excused herself and said, “This may sound silly, but my 15-year-old granddaughter wants to know if you know how to operate this machine you’re seated on.  Have you been trained, and are you licensed to do so?”  I told her that I didn’t know but I’d find out for her.  Are you?”

My son lowered his chin to his chest, smiled wearily and said, “Ma’am, we can’t go near a machine of this kind unless we are licensed to do so.  Do you know the liability this center would face if anything happened with the handling of this machine?  Do you know that insurance would not cover the unlicensed handling of this machine by anyone?  Ma’am, tell your 15-year-old granddaughter that she needn’t worry, I have been trained, licensed, and insured.  The center protects itself like that.”