Thread by @SQLGinger

My hotel is trying to kick out a nice quiet black man for chatting in the lobby with a guest. I’ve been chatting with a friend in the lobby for longer than them and we are fine...

Ok so. I was waiting to ensure folks stayed safe. Because, both myself and the lady I was chatting with were worried about their safety. I was not going back to my room. And thank god my friend wanted to stay too.

I’m at Best Western Plus City Centre Inn in Edmonton. 2

Myself and the gal who were chatting stayed to make sure he and the guest from the hotel he was chatting with (a visiting lecturing professor from overseas), were safe. When the police arrived, we asked if the gal I was speaking to had to leave as she’d been here longer. 3

The police asked us to give them a second (fair), one of the officers came and asked us what was happening. We explained we’d been chatting longer and these two had been quiet and respectful. The Edmonton police listened. 4

They asked the desk agent the difference between us and the other two gentlemen and said the only difference they saw was the colour of our skin. The desk agent didn’t have a good answer. Apparently he told the 911 operators that this gentleman had been belligerent. He wasn’t. 5

The police were upset they were called in the first place. Offered to stay longer to keep the black gentleman safe. And the desk guy was relieved by night shift.

We gave the gentlemen our cards. And said if anything happens from the hotel to call or email us. 6

And I hated that these men kept thanking me like it was a big thing. It’s basic BASIC human decency and respect. These gentlemen weren’t shown it and should be. And the one guy only visited the other guy at the hotel to drop off some ensure. 7

Turns out the professor’s dad has stomach cancer. And the ensure is all he could drink. So they chatted. After passing off the ensure.

I was passing on clothes to someone who had a house fire and needed clothes. So we chatted. 8

What’s the difference between these interactions? The colour of our skin. The front desk guy was way out of line. I’m so disgusted, horrified and embarrassed. 9 (end)

@BestWestern

#yegracism #abracism

Hey folks. Please stop thanking me for doing the right thing. This should be the minimum to ensure someone is treated with basic human decency. If anyone was amazing it was these two gentlemen for being quiet and respectful in the face of someone who was angry and rude.