Olu Alege Spotted In Lenox Mall (Atlanta, GA)
I was walking in the mall and saw my mate Olu shining bright in an ALDO campaign. I wrote about my experience in my unreleased (soon to be released) book—see a passage below.
“I remember a trip my manager and I took to Atlanta, during our annual all store tour. We were in Lenox (or Lenox Mall if you’re fancy), as we approached the Louis Vuitton store, we saw a family of four (mum, dad, daughter, and son), with large shopping bags (about two each)!
She turned to me and asked “How can they afford all of that?” I pretended I didn’t know what she was talking about and said,“Who?” We were in a shopping mall after all, surrounded by many people! She pointed to the family and said,“What do you think they do for a living?”
I felt disgusted by that line of questioning, because she had done this to me before. I just thought it was in isolation, or at bare minimum she had a problem with people having more than her… I also didn’t know the family, so how could I possibly tell her what they “did” for a living? “There are many ways that people get what they want, but I know for sure, they didn’t steal it” I said bluntly.
Looking back, I wish I’d said something more prolific and defended them in a stronger (more assertive) way. I just didn’t have it in me that day. We had a lot to accomplish and I was due to be with her for the entire weekend!
As we walked through the mall, comparative shopping, God was shining down once again! In a moment of vindication, I saw my mate Olu modeling on what must have been a six foot AD campaign, hanging in the mall! #BlackIsBeautiful
I made sure that I rejoiced about it “OMG LOOK, THAT’S MY FRIEND!” I exclaimed, stopping her in her tracks, as I took a photograph to celebrate black success! I also wanted her to acknowledge it. Can we please have a moment of silence for her bruised ego? #TakeThat
There were many occasions where she’d share her implicit biases with me, ensuring that she prefaced by saying,“My best friend is black!” I don’t know why this is always a disclaimer! What is that supposed to do or mean? Inquiring minds would like to know. #AskingForAFriend
“What’s your favorite brand?” She asked me randomly one day! I responded “Alexander Wang” Although we worked in the fashion industry, she wasn’t very invested in fashion or its history. I don’t think that she expected me to respond with my favorite designer and in her confusion—I’m sure she thought I was referring to Alexander McQueen!
In her haste and ignorance she responded “How can you afford that?”
I literally felt like I had been kicked in the gut! Did she really just ask me that? I thought. “You know how much I make, I’m not broke, and I can buy it because I can afford it” was my response! I went on to say,“I like to buy clothes, but that shouldn’t bare any relevance to you. You like to travel and invest in those experiences. Plus, you own two houses!”
I wasn’t being covetous but I wanted her to see how silly she was being! What I had should not have made her feel jealous, inferior, or less than.
In an attempt to not be stifled financially—by my manager—I knew I needed to wear “regular” things around her and less designer. Which was ridiculous; imagine if I sat there in front of her with my Proenza Schouler PS1 Messenger bag asking for a raise… she’d look down and think,“…and give you more money? Clearly you make enough!” She even made comments like “If I paid you more, then you’d basically be making as much money as me!”
BINGO! She was crippling my financial progression all because she wasn’t happy with how much she was earning and couldn’t negotiate a better rate of pay for herself! She also had a Napoleon complex and the more I was around her, the more I was exposed to racial residue.”
Let’s talk about it!
Have you ever experienced implicit bias and/or racism at work?
Sighted: Olu Alege in ALDO Campaign at Lenox Mall (Atlanta, GA)