It’s no secret that there is an undying racial undertone that persists in the United States, even as its residents live in a post-Black president era and a multicultural social unrest vying for equality. Yet, to this day, Black people are the recipients of a fickle spectrum of treatment that can either range from being overly praised and spotlighted to being constantly shunned and excluded. It’s a confusing conundrum that has even puzzled the rich and famous.
One would think that obtaining substantial wealth and popularity in a country that devours material possessions and covets social status would relinquish the haunting and daunting existence of racism. But, that’s just not the case. In fact, “N—a Moments,” as Dave Chappelle would call it, are becoming more and more common among affluent Black circles. Here are seven times rich or famous Black people were denied access or given a hard time just for existing.
Atlanta Don’t Got Love For T.I.?
Atlanta rapper T.I. can’t even get respect in his own city. To his dismay, T.I. filmed himself being turned away by security at Cheetah Club in Atlanta for no real apparent reason. The rapper mentioned that he had frequent the club before, wearing a relaxed wardrobe, but wisely decided to just leave the venue to go to his Trap Music Museum where he would be honoring Moneybagg Yo. It wouldn’t be the first time T.I. was denied access. The “What You Know About That” artist was incensed when he was discriminated against by an employee in 2017 at the restaurant Houston’s in Atlanta. As a result, T.I. was active in leading a protest against the chain.
Ryan Coogler Finds Out Sometimes It’s Your Own
He’s an Oscar-nominated director known for his work on Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Marvel’s Black Panther, and now, as a bank robber, apparently. Bodycam footage was released in early March 2022 of Ryan Coogler being detained on suspicion of robbing an Atlanta Bank of America. The USC grad went in the bank with the intention to withdraw a large sum of money from his personal bank account. Wearing sunglasses and a face mask, in the face of a highly contagious pandemic, Coogler wrote down the amount of the withdraw on a piece of paper, gave it to the teller, and showed proper identification. The teller mistook the note as an attempt to rob the bank, though no evidence pointed to that. Next thing Coogler knows, police show up, pointing guns in his face. He was handcuffed and put in the back of a cop car. The whole embarrassing mess was explained to the police on camera. Ironically, the teller appeared to be Black.
Zendaya, You Can’t Afford That
Euphoria actress Zendaya had her brush with overt racism when she went to the local Los Angeles grocer Von’s to purchase $400 worth of gift cards. Zendaya was informed that there were certain limits with buying gift cards, which was no problem for her except that it seemed to be an attempt to prevent her from making the purchase. The baffled actress claimed the disgruntled employee refused to sell her the gift cards and tossed Zendaya’s wallet at her. Eventually, the manager was called to check her out and she was able to get the gift cards. But, she decided to share the story on social media to bring awareness to racial profiling and discrimination.
Brandon Marshall Denied Park Place In Monopoly
NFL player Brandon Marshall and his children were excited to move into his new home in an affluent part of Florida when security officers confronted him. Suspicious about Marshall’s presence as his name was not on their list for entry into the gated community, security escalated the situation by summoning the local police.
Oprah Winfrey Who?
Who doesn’t know Oprah Winfrey has money? Despite leading a pretty safe career that has overarching appeal and influence, Winfrey had her moment when she was denied access at a Zürich store. The long-time talk show host was in town for Tina Turner’s wedding when she decided to visit the store. Upon asking for a very expensive purse hanging high on a sales rack, the hourly-paid employee was quick to inform Winfrey that the bag was too expensive for her. The employee proceeded to show Winfrey a more affordable bag. Talk about counting pockets — incorrectly.
Salehe Bembury’s Story Of Being Black While Shopping High Retail
Being Black while shopping high retail can be one of the most unenjoyable experiences when fear and envy overtakes humans. Who can ever forget the Beverly Hills debacle that saw Versace executive Salehe Bembury detained in October 2020? Minding his business, a casually dressed Bembury had just left the Versace store with a pair of shoes in tow. Quickly crossing the street, a police stopped the vice president for jaywalking. After explaining his reason for existing in such an expensive area, the police checked his I.D. and performed a body search. Once his story and identity was verified, the officers continued to harass and make unnecessary comments to Bembury, who was clearly shaken by the uncouth experience.
Gucci Doesn’t Want Your Money, Taylor Girlz
Another Black while shopping high retail incident, the Taylor Girlz walked in a Gucci store requesting to buy every shoe on the wall in a size 8. An employee went to the back to retrieve the shoes. Hours into the shopping experience, the salesperson informed the rising music stars that the bill would be $12,000. The ladies didn’t have a problem with it, but the store manager did. It’s not difficult to guess why the manager of the store denied the purchase with the employee telling the patrons that large order purchases could not be made in-store, only remotely online. When the girl group said they would buy the shoes separately in groups of five to avoid the large order “rule,” the manager still refused to service them.
Racial profiling and discrimination is an issue that people of color deal with on an everyday basis. These seven examples are evidence that status, wealth, and fame cannot even play as the kryptonite for the little spirit called racism. As long as ignorance prevails, humankind may never know what it is to be as morally grand as our egos.
