Mon, 28 Jan 2008 18:52:29 (PST)



This weekend has opened my eyes and taken me to a level that I have always tried so hard to avoid. For the first time in as many years, I felt what it means to be treated the way you don't deserve. Here is what happened.

Last Friday, I forgot a package that I was supposed to send to Arizona. After work, I rushed home,took the package and made my way to the nearest Fedex store. I was still in my uniform. By the look of things, I some how felt like something un pleasant was going to happen.

I gave them a package and mentioned that I was an employee of FedeKinkos. "Do you have an ID," asked one lady. "No,but you can call and confirm," I answered. They called and sure confirmed that at the place I work we don't have employee ID. "Why did you not ship if from your place of work?" asked the other lady. The more I answered the more questions they asked. I asked them why they were treating me as such when in fact I was one of them. At that point,one lady told me that they will never under the sun allow me to ship from there? Why? Because I dared to question the system that has always worked!

With all my education and training, I left wondering if indeed this was the way everybody was being treated! If yes, then truly they have employees who will hurt the business and drove away customers. To say that I was disappointed will be an understatement. I was hurt and humiliated.

Today, I was sick and therefore spent most of my time at home. At 5:30 pm, I realized that there was a document that needed to be n Dallas by tomorrow morning. I therefore forced myself made my way to FedexKinkos at New Hope.

The only employee on duty was the worst that I have seen in a long time. He took care of one customer at a very slow base totally un concerned with those of us who waited for a good 10 minutes before even our presence was noted.

When he finally attended me,I handed him the package as I told him that I work for FedexKInkos."Do you have a Fedex Kinkos ID?" he asked in a raised voice. I told him that the branch that I work, no one has it, but I would have him call to check. "That's no true, every employee has got one," He insisted. I simply told him to call and confirm. " That is not my job and this discount is too much-from $ 29.00 to $ 9:00," he said to me. I told him that I had been with the company for almost two years. "I don't trust you," he said. Finally he told me to look into the security camera just in case they may want to look for me for cheating." I told him that I did not like the way he was treating me. As I was speaking another customer who himself had waited for along time made a comment that this was due to the fact that I was "black."

From the two experiences, I tried to put myself in the shoes of those who go through this in their daily work.

Has anyone ever mistreated or misjudged you due to who you are? It hurts. Does it not? Even more devastating is when you hear people say that so and so can not do this or that because of......

Having avoided thinking negative for many years, three people finally got to me and believe me when I say that it hurts! Don't you think so?

        - Pr Birai