Today I experienced prejudice while speaking French at a national chain store in Owen Sound. It was such a fraction of what I imagine a POC experiences every day that it’s hardly worth mentioning, but it made me realize that if a white, privileged woman such as myself can experience ignorance, I wonder what life is like for the George Floyds of this world.
I was speaking to a Customer Service Representative in French as I knew she was francophone, when her supervisor chastised her for not speaking English. The employee answered that she knew I spoke French and that she was trying to serve me in my chosen language. The supervisor said: “no, this is an English store, we speak English here.” I asked why, and she answered: “because I may not know what you are saying to her.”
Then I understood that she was afraid of something. Ignorance based on fear. I don’t want to call out the store in question because I have never had that experience before, and I don’t want to shame anyone unnecessarily, but if someone speaking French around you is the most threatening thing in your life, count your blessings! People don’t speak French/German/Mandarin/Punjabi… to annoy you or to laugh at you behind your back, they speak their language because it is part of their identity and they want to keep it alive.
The good news is that these experiences are few and far between. When I was growing up it was much more frequent, so perhaps in another generation, society will be more inclusive and systemic prejudices will be a thing of the past.
I have since spoken to the manager (because I am white and can lodge a complaint without the police being called...) and she was very appreciative of my call. She realized what an asset it is to have an employee who speaks two languages and she assured me that this was in no way a policy of the store. We spoke about how stressful these times have been and she said the matter had been dealt with.
Merci de m’avoir servi en français aujourd’hui. C’était très apprécié!
#blacklivesmatter, #disability, #pride #francoontarian
Michelle Lafleur, Owen Sound
