JTs Sweet Stuffs 4:15 PM 12 September 2009 - JT's Sweet Stuff employee ignores African American customer waiting for service. Forks, Washington

At around 4:15PM Saturday 12 September 2009 I waited to be served at Jt's Sweet Stuffs.

After seeing two people served ahead of me I made eye contact with the salesperson and smiled while moving in closer to the counter to be recognized and served.

She deliberately ignored me and served another couple instead. At that point I recognized what I had been trying to ignore: I was being refused service. I am an African American.

When challenged about the incident later, the employee showed no remorse for her actions. In fact, when my daughter told the employee that she saw the look the employee gave us when we came in but didn't want to assume the worst, the employee just stared at her and didn't say anything.

This kind of behaviour is despicable and has no place in our society.  It makes me sick to think that somehow people think it's OK to treat others as non-human.  I didn't go back to talk to them because it's been my experience that talking to people like that doesn't change their outlook.  What I can do is encourage others not to support them.

Please, support the American Way as defined by our laws and Constitution:  Boycott JT's Sweet Stuffs in Forks, Washington and spend your money someplace else.