Tuesday, March 18, 2008

We're Not in Utah Anymore

One thing I have really enjoyed about San Antonio is its diversity. People of all colors, backgrounds, religions and lifestyles seem to mesh pretty nicely here.

But the other day we found ourselves in a situation where we realized we were a bit out of our element. We noticed a new clothing store had opened up in a strip mall that we often drive by. (We should have known better since it was in the same neighborhood as
Sara's Haircutting Adventure!)

The first thing I noticed upon entering is that we were the ONLY white people in the whole place. And we weren't just white this day, we were pasty white: Brad, with his BYU gear on, looking all preppy, me--the suburban housewife in capris, Ty wearing OshKosh...
Anyway, as I walked down the aisle toward the kid's section I took a look at the clothes on the racks, all with name brands that contained words like Urban, Phat, Gangsta, and Warrior.



Some cute outfits for me:







A couple pieces for my man:







And we can't forget the baby:

I was looking for a nice Easter outfit for Tyler, but after sorting through racks of what we dubbed, "Chikeziewear," (if you saw his orange suit on American Idol, you know what we're talking about) we realized this was probably not the place for us.


Trying to look perfectly at home, we sauntered back to the front of the store, avoiding stares the whole way. (You'd think they'd never seen a white person before!)


I didn't think too much of it until I heard Obama's Racism Speech today. He talked about how racism is still alive and real--from both sides. He said, "If we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges..."


Maybe we shouldn't have walked away so quickly. Pehaps if we'd spent a little more time there shopping , we could have helped to bring everyone together and fill the chasm that exists between the races. Then again, maybe not!




9 comments:

  1. I can totally see Ty in the Gangsta G outfit.

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  2. Sally I'm pretty sure those pants would be hot on you...

    Fit in sista. Fit in.

    (kidding)

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  3. What an interesting experience!! I live in a part of Georgia where there is very little diversity. I would feel WAY out of place in a shopping mall like that.

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  4. (But it would be really good for me to have more interaction with people with different cultures. Sometimes I feel like I live in a bubble.)

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  5. Those are great outfits. I'm surprised you didn't get a few.

    I have been in situations like that where I just feel like I stick out like a sore thumb. I suppose it's good for us to step out of our comfort zone, but dang, it can be hard.

    Thanks for sharing this with us. Awesome!

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  6. The outfits made me laugh! Well, I guess you'll just have to be a trendsetter! I've been meaning to come over to your site and thank you for such a nice comment about our adoption. How crazy that you guys were in our shoes (almost exactly) just a few years ago! Congrats on your adoption as well!

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  7. i am laughing out loud! so funny.

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  8. Yo hot mama, you got me straight trippin boo.(I think I learned that from Queen Latifah in some movie I don't remember the name of with Steve Martin!?!) Are you impressed with my talent? Would I fit in at that store?? I think you should go for the cheetah pants. I would have to steal them in the night though:0)

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  9. I need to get me some of those leopard print pants! Hot dang!

    I discovered a few shops like that in the Albany, New York area as well!

    Its not Utah or somewhat small town Oregon either!

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