When I was leaving Florida and getting processed through the Orlando airport with my lady friend (who is black) something interesting happened.
When we got though the checkpoints and security and metal detectors and such and we were at the very last step, the TSA officer (a black male in his late 30s) checked our boarding passes and IDs. A strange interaction happened.
My ladyfriend and I were standing next to each other and he said: "Are you two...together?"
We said: "Yes."
He then paused, looked at us with an expression of mild disgust, and said: "Okay, come forward."
When we did so he took my ticket and my passport and looked at them, then ever-so briefly glanced at me. He then said "Okay...".
When he took my ladyfriend's ticket and passport he opened up the passport and said:
"Mmmmm... what is this? Mmhmm. Ooh! You got that school girl look. Yeah..."
I looked at him like: "What the heck?!"
My ladyfriend made an uncomfortable giggle.
He kept grinning at her for a second and then gave her ticket and passport back.
Here is my question:
If, as most of my fellow liberals say, power plus prejudice is racism, was I a victim of racism committed by a black law enforcement officer who has power over me and prejudice against white men?
I would say my ladyfriend got the brunt of this inappropriate and ignorant comment, and I would also say there is sexism in there too.
But was I the victim of a small act of racism or even both racism and sexism?