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Confrontation at Family Dollar Sparks Controversy Over Racism

A recent incident at a Family Dollar store in Houston has gained significant attention after a man’s encounter with a store employee went viral. Deon “Chico” Young recorded the exchange, which he claims involved a racist comment made by the employee.

According to Young, while waiting in line, he overheard an employee making derogatory remarks in Spanish about Black customers purportedly stealing shoes. Young, who identifies as Afro-Latino and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French, felt compelled to address the situation directly.

As he approached the cashier for checkout, he advised her, “Let me give you a word of advice: You never know who you offend.” This statement captured the essence of his concern regarding the employee’s language and assumptions about race.

Young then proceeded to film the encounter and later shared it on TikTok. The video quickly gathered over 775,000 views, showcasing him cautioning the employee: “You’ve got to watch what you say when you say it. Because you don’t know who speaks Spanish.”

During the interaction, he emphasized the importance of being mindful of one’s words, particularly when discussing marginalized groups. He delivered his pointed comments in both Spanish and English, underscoring the multifaceted nature of identity and language. “When you talk about people, especially Black people, man, watch what you’re saying,” he reiterated.

In his conversation with Fox 26, Young clarified that his intentions were not to have the employee dismissed but rather to encourage awareness of language choices. He stated, “You see me as a Black man, and you speak another language, doesn’t mean I don’t know what you’re saying.” This statement reflected a larger issue surrounding assumptions based on race and ethnicity.

Post-confrontation, Young recorded a follow-up video in the parking lot, voicing his frustrations about perceived racism, noting, “I hate it when these undercover racists be talking in Spanish about us.”

In a subsequent update, Young reported on TikTok that Family Dollar had reached out to him with an apology and indicated that disciplinary action would be taken against the employee involved. Family Dollar’s parent company, Dollar Tree, was contacted for a statement regarding the incident but did not respond promptly.

This incident highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and the impact of language on societal perceptions, urging individuals to remain vigilant about their words, regardless of the language used.

Source
people.com