No, Not in Sitges

Mr Rashon Nelson (L) and Mr Donte Robinson (r)

No, Not in Sitges...

On April 12 two African-Americans, Mr. Nelson and Mr. Robinson were sitting in a Starbucks coffee cafe in Philadelphia. They were waiting to conduct a business meeting with another man, Andrew Yaffe (who is white), who had not yet arrived.

They asked to use the restroom before they had made any purchases, and an employee said, "no."

I am unsure whether or not they told the employee that they were waiting for a business associate, but eventually, they were asked to leave, and when they did not, an employee called the police.

The men were arrested on suspicion of trespassing as Mr. Yaffe arrived for the meeting, and were released later that day.

 [Here I'll say, whilst I enjoy Starbuck's abroad, I am aware of some of their more questionable business practices - how predatory they can be to keep competitors out of a geographic location - and hope the company is never allowed to open an outlet in Sitges as long as these practices persist]

Captured on video, the peaceful arrest was uploaded on social media and has been viewed millions of times. 

I was proud of how the young gentlemen carried themselves with dignity from the beginning till today; and I was extremely relieved the altercation did not end in gunfire... 

I can’t fathom such a thing happening in Sitges. And although when I moved here years ago incidents like this didn’t make headlines, or go viral as they do today, we know injustices did occur in the US, and in other places around the world.

However, when I moved here it was a consideration. I had been living in London for years and never really experienced anything like this. But as I planned to relocate, it was important for me to choose a place where I felt I would not be treated adversely due to the colour of my skin. 

Now I don’t pretend to know what goes through the minds of the many people I come in contact with every day in Sitges, but I can say that I have NEVER felt put upon or discriminated against here; although I recall an occasion one Carnaval. Float, after float as I enjoyed the festivities of a procession, I turned my head to see the next float of dancers in Afro wigs, black face and brightly painted oversized red lips. Needless to say, I was shocked and horrified that this could occur in my beloved Sitges. I went home gravely hurt, offended and stunned.

Years later, in a favourite bar of mine, I sat enjoying a beautiful copa de vino tinto with my SQ Assistant Editor and we looked at the wall emblazoned with a new mural only to find the same imagery staring back at us - a black figure with the same Afro and brightly painted oversized red lips. 

Look at the mural inside, through the glass

Instantly we called the manager over to lodge a complaint, after which I calmly asked, do I look like this to you? Ashamedly, he professed that he didn’t see the resemblance and looked at us like a deer caught in headlights. 

At least this time I was able to affect change and educate someone in an appropriate lesson of political correctness. We explained how offensive it was and that it was unacceptable to perpetuate such an archaic and negative stereotype; after all, this is the 21st century.

Needless to say, on our very next visit, he hurried to our table to show us that he had the artist alter the image to depict a more, “normal”, dare I say, acceptable cartoon character in keeping with the mural.

“Thank you” Hollywood - and all the bigoted stereotypes you’ve exported the world over, branding the brain of millions. 

I live in hope that I’ll never experience such an egregious arrest anywhere nor see such imagery again here, whether in terms of graffiti nor on establishment walls - no, not here in Sitges.

Scribe Note: Update - An agreement has subsequently been reached with the men. It includes a confidential financial settlement and an offer for both Mr Nelson and Mr Robinson to complete their university degrees through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, which pays tuition fees for Starbucks staff.