Coles, despite being such a successful, billion-dollar company that hires many ethnic staff, is not immune from racism. I was deliberating between 2 products at Coles today and spent a bit of time reading the labels before I finally purchased one. At the exit, 2 security guards seized my bags and started searching them for a good 10 minutes, checking and re-checking as if though I had stolen something. I was completely confused considering others simply received a cursory glance before being allowed to exit. When the guards finally (reluctantly) gave up on trying to convict me of something I didn't do, one of them tried to tell me I was acting suspiciously. As a customer, I believe I have the right to be well-informed of what I do buy with my hard-earned money. The only difference between myself and the others leaving the store was the colour of my skin. It wasn't as if though it was a judgement based on something else like a shabby appearance- I'd hardly think a homeless person would be dressed in a blazer and pants to go grocery shopping. Why should I have to face racial stereotyping and be subject to humiliation like that, especially in a multicultural, seemingly progressive country like Australia? I am deeply disappointed in such blatant bigotry and refuse to remain silent about this.
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