Condi dresses down minimum wage worker.
In his upcoming biography of Condoleezza Rice, Washington Post correspondent Glenn Kessler shows how the Secretary of State “has lost none of her bluntness” while working “hard to soften her edges.” In one anecdote revealed by Kessler, Rice dressed down a jewelry store clerk who gave her less than satisfactory service:
Coit Blacker, a Stanford professor who is one of the secretary of state’s closest friends, recalls going into a shop where Rice asked to see earrings. The clerk showed her costume jewelry. Rice asked to see something nicer, prompting the clerk to whisper some sass under her breath.
Blacker remembers Rice tearing the woman to shreds.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” he recalls her saying. “You are behind the counter because you have to work for minimum wage. I’m on this side asking to see the good jewelry because I make considerably more.”
A manager quickly brought Rice better baubles.
bitch
August 29th, 2007 at 9:46 amYou know, I have been wondering what this slob has been up to–since her JOB is diplomacy and we’re obviously getting none of that.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:47 amOne can only imagine what it would be like fitting her with a pair of boots…
August 29th, 2007 at 9:48 amsounds like condi is an angry woman with self esteem issues.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:48 amfunny how many in the middle class still believe that this administration really cares about them..
Not to get too huffy, but Condi was right in this case. They are called “Help” for a reason. “The customer is always right” is as true today as it was 50 years ago. If some salesperson looks down their nose at me when I am offering to purchase something, I will go elsewhere. (God, I hate siding with Repugs.)
August 29th, 2007 at 9:49 amI’m not usually one to defend Condi, but this sounds like the worker was assuming that a black woman couldn’t afford the better jewelry, and her under-the-breath comment suggests she thought a black woman might not deserve better jewelry. Condi has probably experienced this prejudice before and in that context I think her comment was right on.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:49 amand how many miles has she flown to promote diplomacy in the Middle East? She’s a failure, just like her snippy little boss.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:49 amAnd one wonders why she has never married and had children. Can you imagine being married to her?
“Not to get too huffy, but Condi was right in this case. They are called “Help†for a reason. “The customer is always right†is as true today as it was 50 years ago. If some salesperson looks down their nose at me when I am offering to purchase something, I will go elsewhere.”
Well good for you. The point is that Condi didn’t “go elsewhere”, she chose to dress down and humiliate the clerk by pointing out that she was so superior. All that shows is that she is a bitch and apparently has pretty low self esteem.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:51 amHah!
August 29th, 2007 at 9:51 amMaybe Condi ought to ask Larry Craig for jewlery advice.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:51 amHow classy of La Rice! That is typical “nouveau riche” behavior. La Rice needs to acquire some finishing school manners.
I hope the filthy bitch gets greeted with sass and worse everywhere she shops.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:52 amRaven, I would like to fit her with one of my boot’s up her, nose.?….What an evil dead eyed person…..Blessings all..Still lot’s of site problem’s…..
August 29th, 2007 at 9:52 amWith war profits in her pocket, she’ll be buying some more really nice little baubles and for all of her friends, too.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:53 amShe was shown the cheap stuff because she is black.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:53 amShe was completely within her rights. See post number 5.
“I’m not usually one to defend Condi, but this sounds like the worker was assuming that a black woman couldn’t afford the better jewelry”
You mean to tell me that the clerk didn’t know who she was? I assume that Condi has her contingent of secret service around her when she shops, and she is pretty famous. I would be very surprised if the clerk didn’t know who she was. It’s more likely that Condi was snippy when she asked to see the “better jewelry” and the clerk was responding to that. Why do you choose to make this about race rather than about Ms. Rice?
August 29th, 2007 at 9:53 am“She was shown the cheap stuff because she is black.
She was completely within her rights. See post number 5.
Comment by catclub”
And you know this how?
August 29th, 2007 at 9:54 amMy Gawd! If one of Condoleeeeeeeeeeeeeezza’s “closest personal friends” is telling stories like this, just imagine what else may be going on.
Does she go to Syria and dress down its president because she is an American and he is a mere Syrian?
Does she dress down the guy in the starter shack who won’t let her tee off on the first hole until the group ahead of her is on the green?
Does she dress down GDumbya because he is st-o-o-o-o-o-p-i-d?
I disagree with those who have defended her in this thread. There is a “diplomatic way” to point out poor service . . . and then there is Condoleeeeeeeeeeeeezza’s way.
She is nothing more than a stinky, buck-toothed twat.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:55 amToo bad the clerk didn’t recognize her and call her out for the piece of sh*t she is, like the customer at Bloomingdales who caught her shopping for shoes while New Orleans drowned.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:55 amWait a minute everyone. Maybe the clerk did not reconize her and just treated as another black person. I have stood behind a black person in line and I can tell you if the person is white behind the counter their demeanor changes. And thats no bullshit.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:55 amif she had an ounce of class she would have left…..I’m sure she treats the waitstaff at the DC restaurants the same way. The new rich are embarrasing to be around.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:56 amThis is a non fluff story.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:57 amThe proper response would have been to say “Thank you” and walk out of the store. The point would have not been lost on anyone.
Had she dressed me down in such a fashion, I would have told her that, maybe I do work for the minimum wage, but at least, I am not a failure and an incompetent at being Secretary of State. I would have been fired for my impertinence, but, hey, there are other jobs at the minimum wage.
There are no good reasons to humiliate someone in such a fashion.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:58 amI think you had better resign now, Condi.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:59 amKarl and Alberto are waiting outside in the taxi.
All this BS about her being treated a certain way because she is black (even though she’s really an Oreo) is pretty silly. Just where in the report on this incident does it describe the clerk as being white?
Get your facts straight before postulating about some irrelevant BS.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:59 amYou people condemning her… Are you condemning her because you truly think she was rude, and should have taken the disrespect? Or are you condemning her simply because she is a republican and works for Bush?
I would have done similarly if I were in her situation. I expect good service, especially from an establishment such as a jewelry store (I’d not expect the same level of service from, say, McDonald’s) and I demand satisfaction. Had that store employee been rude to me, I would have gone to a competing store, and I would have told them and their manager why they just lost a sale.
August 29th, 2007 at 9:59 amSuppose she’ll celebrate the second anniversary of Katrina by shopping for shoes again…followed by fun and frivolity at the White House with Chimpy?
August 29th, 2007 at 10:00 amThe proper response would have been to say “Thank you†and walk out of the store. The point would have not been lost on anyone.
Actually the proper response would have been “Screw you; let me see your supervisor so I can tell THEM why I am going else where.”
Maybe Condi Rice should not have talked to the clerk in such a way, but the clerk had not right to sass the customer regardless of who (or is it whom?) they are.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:03 amCondi was rude and that is that. She chose to react instead of act with class. Period. For whatever reason (and there is much speculation with no facts), she did not take the high ground. That is showing true colors. She is a paid diplomat for goodness sake.
For the people playing the race card, how do you know the clerk wasn’t black as well? Are you assuming a black person can’t sell nice jewelry? Don’t give us your psuedo-outrage, hypocrites.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:05 am1: This is a bit of a non-story.
2: I actually, agree with what Condi did. Poor service should be met with a poor reaction and it isn’t like her reaction was prompted by zip.
And hey, I don’t like the Bushies any more then anybody else does.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:08 amPeople, if this had happened to a black Democrat, you would be all over the “race card”.
The only “known” is that the clerk was snotty to Rice and that Rice “field stripped” her. That is not even a matter of fact, it is hearsay from a third (and un-involved) party.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:08 amI am not surprised. After all, who was it that was shoe shopping 2 years ago today?
Ah yes, it was Condi…
Bitch
August 29th, 2007 at 10:09 amThis story is more about Condi’s diplomatic style than just an interaction between her and a salesperson. Someone in her position should know how to deal with less than accomodating people in ways that make the situation a win-win for both, without making it personal. I’m certainly not in Condi’s economic class, but neither do I make minimum wage, but I have in the past. And I have never demeaned anyone in that way.
In any case, glad to know what Condi does since she has so much free time.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:10 amcontext… where is the context??
What is the time frame? Did this happen when Condi was Secretary of State, or back when she was not quite as well known? Where did this take place? Was it in some boutique in some upscale community, or was it near Stanford itself? Was the clerk white or black?
Poor service is poor service, that’s a given. But to blow it out of proportion one way or the other without proper context would be almost Fox-ian.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:10 amI agree with #5, candideinnc about why she said what she did. I’m just taking a guess though and so is candideinnc.
So chill out #28, we’re not saying we don’t think black people can’t sell jewelry. That’s YOU’RE racism speaking. We’re all just trying to put the pieces together. For you to outright assume our way of thinking is because we’re the ones who are racist just show your own true colors.
You’re right however #28, she did not take the high road, she is a paid diplomat, and no matter what her treatment, she should not have said what she did.
Just please, don’t go around assuming other people are racist simply for trying to figure out what may have really happened. You’re WAY too uptight.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:11 amMy GOD, what a snob she is!
As someone who’s been on BOTH sides of a jewelry counter, let me say that there is NEVER a reason to be nasty like that to someone, I don’t care HOW much more freakin money you make than they do.
From experience, trying to be nice when dealing with people who for some reason think they are better than you is not an easy job, especially if you are dog-tired. It has nothing to do with the race, age, or sex of the person you’re waiting on - a snob is a snob is a snob, and sometimes it’s hard to keep from letting them get on your nerves, even when you’ve been well-trained.
A more polite way of handling the situation would have been to say to the salesperson, softly but firmly, “Dear, I realize you may be having a bad day, but I heard what you said and it was rude. Now would you like to get someone else to help me, or should I go to your manager?”
The point is made without tearing down the person or making a scene. More than likely the salesperson will apologize. If not, speaking quietly with the manager, or sending a note or phonecall later, would be the appropriate response.
Just because you can afford to buy things someone else can’t doesn’t give you a license to treat them like dirt. A little kindness goes a long way.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:14 amJust please, don’t go around assuming other people are racist simply for trying to figure out what may have really happened. You’re WAY too uptight.
Comment by AnonymousByChoice — August 29, 2007 @ 10:11 am
Whatever.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:14 amok, one more….
I am treated rudely, as often as not,
by persons in the “service sector”.
Without going into all the gory demographics and details,
counter, sales, and clerks often give the impression that I am an inconvenience that must be dismissively dealt with as they continue their conversation with the clerk in the next aisle.
Or they stand there, blankly staring in another direction, earpiece glued in place, as they take a call or bob their heads to the music.
And then it turns out they don’t know how to ring up a particular item, or know how to order an item they don’t have , but signage clearly states they can get.
And heaven protect me when THEY get the item wrong, or make a mistake adding up the total…..
August 29th, 2007 at 10:18 amSo Ms. Rice is not a particularly popular public figure (how could she be working for the Bush administration?), but she is entitled to courteous service when shopping!
And she was justified in berating the sales clerk for her rudeness rather than just accepting it and walking out. No one is ever required to just grin and bear it anymore.
Peace.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:19 amSorry, Annie B. I can’t quite square your advocacy for berating with your signoff, Peace. Cute, though.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:22 amHey, if she wants to take her frustrations out on a minimum wage worker, fine with me, she’s got the pedigree.
Still, some in DC might describe that behaviour as uppity.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:22 amWhen my work and family responsibilities pile up on me, I don’t have time to shop for clothing or baubles — Rice is Sec. of State, and the world is in crisis (her boss as the #1 instigator) why does she have time for shopping anyway? In times of crisis, she attends plays, shops for shoes, or buys jewelry - isn’t that what caricatures of women did while their serious men-folk did all the deep-thinking and heavy-lifting? Someone should be checking her day-planner to see if she is earning her salary, much less deserving of her status. From what I see, her effectiveness as SoS is pretty low.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:25 amI have to come to Condi’s defense in this one as well. My wife is African American and on numerous occasions received less than stellar customer service in Jewelry stores. (Tiffiany’s to name names). Maybe Condi didn’t need to attack the woman based in income, but if a clerk made a snide remark under her breath to my wife, she’d lay into her as well.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:25 amNever forget that the rich live very differently than the middle class. How dare that minimum wage worker dare to try to exist.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:26 amPeace. Cute, though.
Comment by troqua
Peace is not cute.
Peace requires a lot of effort.
Peace requires respect for all views.
Peace, troqua,
August 29th, 2007 at 10:29 am(is that in Connecticut somewhere? sounds Algonquian…)
you will not find by always focusing on the negative.
I don’t think Rice was shopping at the local Target, nor was she without her entourage of aides and secret service advertising her status.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:29 amIf I was the jewelry salesclerk (and I have been), and I saw that bitch walk in the door, I’d the leave area. Let her stand there and stand there until she goes elsewhere. She is just as responsible as the other neocons for all the killing and maiming in Iraq. No way would I wait on that awful excuse for a human being. In fact, she wouldn’t want me to wait on her—she wouldn’t want to hear what I had to say.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:30 amPerfect example of Condi’s diplomatic abilities. A true statesperson. It’s no wonder we’re making so many friends in the Middle East. By the way, this is the first I’ve heard of Rice since she ducked a subpoena. She must really be busy mending fences. This Administration’s foreign policy is equally as inept as their domestic policies. What a bunch of “uniters” we have working on our behalf.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:30 amI think #1 put it best…
Bitch
August 29th, 2007 at 10:30 amGenerally, I hate the bitch and the entire crowd she runs with, but if she got sass from the counter girl then I have no problem at all with what she said.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:34 amIt is obvious to all independent thinkers that she didn’t get her position because of competence.
I am dumbfounded as to how this woman ever got a Ph.D.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:34 amI wouldn’t judge Condi solely on this incident — she could have been having a bad day. And, for that matter, so could the clerk.
That said — a customer is entitled to decent service, not snarky sass from the clerks. The article leaves out a few details. Did Condi ask politely to see some finer jewelry? Or did she demand rudely? There’s no excuse for sass in either case, but it would at least be more understandable in the latter. Still, clerks should know how to handle even rude customers with politeness and grace — and this clerk probably needs a little remedial training.
Now, about Condi’s rant — I have little patience for the “I’m better than you” routine. A more effective tactic might have been “I’m interested in karat gold chains (or diamond studs, or whatever). If you don’t want to show them to me, do you have somebody here who will?” The “minimum wage” put-down was totally uncalled for.
And if Condi makes so much money, why is she shopping in places where the clerks only make minimum wage?
And a little side note — every so often, I read about some celebrity at an airport or on an airplane who, when confronted with security rules or some other frustration, snaps “don’t you know who I am?” My reaction is to think these people arrogant creeps. And then next time I’m at an airport, I get frustrated enough that I wish I could use that line myself. So I know we all have our limits.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:34 amYeah, I’ll be the one to say it…
If the chick behind the counter was talking shit then she got back what she put out. That “sass” part is part of the story I never heard before.
Before I was thinking Condi was a bitch cuz the girl brought her the cheap stuff, but if the counter girl was running her mouth with an attitude, she got smacked down for proper cause.
Sorry.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:36 amthere are whites, and then there are white trash crackers.
if some white person is a moron im going to call him a dumb white trash cracker.
similarly, as chris rock once said: there are blacks, and there are n#ggas. condi is a corn pone buck toothed n#gga, I dont care how much fancy bling you give her. the women is as dumb as a post, inarticulate, and frankly she’s the perfect example of a “token minority” used to give the republican party a false image of inclusiveness.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:36 amI’ve been on both sides of the retail counter. The customer is rarely right.
There is never cause to tell any service person “Yeah by the way, I’m totally better than you.”
Condi is like school on Sunday, no class.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:38 amComment by Null and aVoid Chocolate Jesus — August 29, 2007 @ 10:36 am
Nice display of racism.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:41 amThere’s a scene in the Harry Potter books, when Dumbledore is dying, and somebody shows up, and he greets thm with a light bantering tone. Harry says how can you joke at a time like this? You’re dying!
And Dumbledore responds, “It’s called manners.”
It’s called manners.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:43 amAll this BS about her being treated a certain way because she is black (even though she’s really an Oreo) is pretty silly. Just where in the report on this incident does it describe the clerk as being white?
Get your facts straight before postulating about some irrelevant BS.
Comment by tom — August 29, 2007 @ 9:59 am
Beat me to it. There certainly was a lot of leaping to conclusions here.
I don’t care how sassy the clerk was, Rice demonstrated a complete lack of class.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:43 amThis anecdote was also in the Marcus Mabry bio of Condi.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:43 amyou will not find by always focusing on the negative.
Comment by Raven — August 29, 2007
That was my point exactly. Sorry you missed it.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:43 amYou don’t get to work for the Evil Empire by being nice.
Having said that, as a customer she should be treated with respect.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:46 amThat was my point exactly. Sorry you missed it.
Comment by troqua
I did get it, after reading further posts of yours.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:47 amApologies for misinterpreting your intent.
(Massachusetts?)
:)
The clerk should have recognized that HER job is to show (and sell) the customer what she wants. It is not her job to comment under her breath about the customer or her choices - our friend, the clerk, should wait ’til she’s taking a break in the stockroom for that.…..
August 29th, 2007 at 10:48 amAnd she was justified in berating the sales clerk for her rudeness rather than just accepting it and walking out. No one is ever required to just grin and bear it anymore.
Peace.
Comment by Annie B. — August 29, 2007 @ 10:19 am
She’s entitled to nothing. She’s on the welfare rolls, she is not superior to anyone actually doing a job. and we don’t even know what the “sass” was, if any. This is typical of the failure of Rice to handle her job in any meaningful way. She’s over her head, and it has nothing to do with race, beyong Bush’s studied ability to find the least qualified minorities to put in office so that the rest of the racist goons in the GOP can say “See? I told you so!”.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:49 amMaster Shake
I’ve been both sides too, plus a waiter (Which is closer to self employed.) Ultimately, in that position the customer is the person who makes it possible for you to have a job - be nice.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:50 amWow. Talk about a precise and damning comment on the situation.
What a twat Rice is. She’s special because she can afford waste more money than you on pointless trinkets.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:52 amI don’t give a fu(k what the clerk’s job is. If I see Condi anywhere for any reason I’m giving that bitch a lecture about Iraq and her gross incompetence when it comes to diplomacy.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:52 amas long as we are all making assumptions, maybe the clerk’s “sass” was a comment like “why are you buying jewlery? Shouldn’t you be fu(king up some Middle Eastern country?”
I think most of you are missing the point here. It is not about you. Or how you would be treated. You are not an international diplomat with a PhD, who works in the public sphere and in the public light.
She is a leader in our country. She is a public servant. She is famous through her diplomacy. SHE is not leading by example. SHE is not acting in an appropriate manner to what happened to her. Regardless if it was her or Elizabeth Edwards. Color doesn’t matter. Manners do. Try and think about it, k?
August 29th, 2007 at 10:53 am(Massachusetts?)
:)
Comment by Raven — August 29, 2007
No, Texas. A wordplay on a Spanish word.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:53 amDidn’t Condi say she was just too damned busy to talk to Congress? Sounds like she’s got plenty of time on her hands now.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:55 amShe is a leader in our country. She is a public servant. She is famous through her diplomacy. SHE is not leading by example. SHE is not acting in an appropriate manner to what happened to her. Regardless if it was her or Elizabeth Edwards. Color doesn’t matter. Manners do. Try and think about it, k?
Comment by Bluedahlia — August 29, 2007 @ 10:53 am
She certainly proved the lie of her “superiority”.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:57 amWell, it’s simply behavior befitting a Bush Secretary of State, isn’t it?
It warms my heart to know we have the right person in there: You know, a consummate diplomate, professional, genuinely caring, intelligent.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:58 amCondi pulled the same crap while New Orleans for drowning. She was shoe shopping, and a customer confronted her, asking what she was doing there while there was an huge emergency in NO. Condi had her security guys hustle the woman out, and continued her shopping.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:59 amA wordplay on a Spanish word.
Comment by troqua
a common bird of New Mexico
August 29th, 2007 at 11:00 amCondi had her security guys hustle the woman out, and continued her shopping.
Comment by Zooey
chest waders?
August 29th, 2007 at 11:01 amI don’t get why this is a story.
If you get bad service, you let them know. It helps the store, and it gets you better service.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:01 amI do not like this woman, but she was totally right in this case. I’m a minority as well. When I go into a shop and someone cute white, black or brown person is rude to me, I let them have it.
Good for her. But don’t try to criticize her for putting someone who doesn’t know their place in their place.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:05 amAnon1
I’m a minority as well. When I go into a shop and someone cute white, black or brown person is rude to me, I let them have it.
Way to play the race card.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:06 amchest waders?
Comment by Raven — August 29, 2007 @ 11:01 am
Not hardly….. :D
August 29th, 2007 at 11:08 amall we really know is blacker’s recollection of the story…
that would, for obvious reasons, be biased…
i’d LOVE to hear the sales clerk’s side of the story…
August 29th, 2007 at 11:09 am…
Condi= Shrill Evil War Criminal
August 29th, 2007 at 11:10 amNot hardly….. :D
Comment by Zooey
Yeah, I’m sure she never got any closer to the flood than the depth of an average pair of galoshes.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:12 amher leather underwear was too tight
August 29th, 2007 at 11:13 amThe clerk should have replied:
“While I may be working for minimum wage today, tomorrow you will be working for even less wages while in jail for your crimes against humanity by your involvement in the unprovoked attack upon the SOVEREIGN nation of Iraq!”
August 29th, 2007 at 11:13 amHow is not being able to divine what Condi wants to see in a store poor service? Costume jewelry and fine jewelry are rarely behind the same counter. The salesperson might have muttered something under his/her breath but that does not excuse Condi’s judgemental rudeness about how much the salesperson makes - and I believe salespeople in stores that Condi shops make a bit more than minimum wage. She was obviously on a power trip. A well-mannered person would have simply asked for the manager if she felt insulted by the salesperson.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:14 amIt’s not playing the race car at all, Squegeeboo. If you let people walk all over you, that’s your problem.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:19 amann
How is not being able to divine what Condi wants to see in a store poor service?
It wasn’t that she brought out the cheap stuff, it was that she muttered under her breath when Condi asked to see the better stuff
FTA:
August 29th, 2007 at 11:19 amAnon1
It’s not playing the race car at all, Squegeeboo.
No, you played the race card
I’m a minority as well.
What does her being a minority have to do with this story?
August 29th, 2007 at 11:21 amann, if you are going to be rude to another person, whether it’s a person you are suppose to help cuz it’s your job, or just someone out on the street, then you take the chance they’re going to respond. if they don’t respond in a way that you deem appropriate, then maybe you should have thought twice about being rude to them in the first place.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:22 am———-
Rice shows her true colors as a vapid, insecure, materialistic bitch.
Typical of Modern American Women.
What do you do again, Condi?
We haven’t seen, nor heard from you in a while.
In other words, you’re irrelevant just like GW.
Go shop for some shoes while Katrina hits.
Shallow, fake woman.
———-
August 29th, 2007 at 11:23 amBut don’t try to criticize her for putting someone who doesn’t know their place in their place.
Comment by Anon1
Know their place???
Only simple minded people who “think” they are better than others have that mentality.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:25 amThe clerk should have responded by saying:
“I heard that New Orleans is flooding again. Don’t you have some shoes to go purchase?”
It’s just a ‘minimum wage job’ right? Who cares if you get fired from a crappy job for being rude to a woman who’s a disgrace to the United States of America?
August 29th, 2007 at 11:27 amI am not supporting this woman but when I am out at a store and the people behind the counter act like they are annoyed or bothered when I ask to see something it sets me off. If you want to be a retail clerk then be a retail clerk and keep your mouth shut when somebody needs help. Oh yeah cunnilingus rice is always wrong in my eyes she works for bush
August 29th, 2007 at 11:27 amIf her comment is true, it just shows the elite attitude of the typical GOP. The wealthy, when insulated from reality long enough, begin feeling like they have some God given right to be superior to the “common rabble”. It is that same atitude that our Founding Fathers were rebelling against.
And the first poster is right , she’s a bitch.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:29 amBrian Uff
then be a retail clerk and keep your mouth shut when somebody needs help.
Then how do you help them? Charades? I love charades. First word, two syllables.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:30 amHer share of the bushie windfall is the continent of Africa. Watch who is the next one off the bushie cone.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:31 amA puke all the way.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:33 amAlright, let’s get a few things straight on this:
1. the article does not say when this happened. Was it before 2000? Who knows? Point: if she was not not in the Bush Admin at the time, I see no reason why any clerk should recognize her.
2. the article does not say if the clerk was black, white, Asian, Latino, etc. So, we really have no idea what the racial dynamic is.
Two very different possibilities about this exist:
a. this happened in 1997, the clerk was white, and Rice reacted to what she perceived as assumptions about whether or not she belonged in that store because of her race;
b. this happened last year, the clerk was black, recognized Rice, and was making a point.
If its the first, I have no problem with Rice’s reaction — I’ve been in positions resembling this, and I pretty much get it.
If it is the second, she clearly has some problems to deal with (something that we already know).
I guess that I would just remind other progressives that we are the ones based in reality, so to make these kinds of judgements we should probably know what the situation was.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:34 amNow you know why Condiliar is a Repub, she’s better than everyone else. She’s on the winning team!
August 29th, 2007 at 11:37 amSuch arrogance from someone who is clearly incompetent and whose greatest abilities are to play the piano, buy shoes and smile for the camera.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:39 amI hate this Admin and Condi etc for all the damage they’ve done…but Condi was right. As a guy I’ve never received service this bad and I bet almost all guys haven’t. The fact that this women gave here crap back when Condi merely asked to see something nicer was outrageous. It’s not just that the woman didn’t do her job but she was rude to boot. I applaud Condi’s actions. Good for her!
August 29th, 2007 at 11:42 amSuppose she’ll celebrate the second anniversary of Katrina by shopping for shoes again…followed by fun and frivolity at the White House with Chimpy?
Comment by curmudgeon — August 29, 2007 @ 10:00 am
Hey! She didn’t earn that SecofShoes title for her diplomatic or humanistic works!
August 29th, 2007 at 11:43 amHey folks. While I’m NO fan of Condi Rice or the Bush adminstration, it seems to me that we’re all using this ancedote (onbe with a fair amount of informational gaps) to reinforce conclusions about Rice that we’ve already made.
On a personal note, as an african american professional of the same gereation as Rice, I can attest to similar expereinces (jewelry stores, car dealership, etc.), thought thankfully, less frequently than in past years ( which I attribute as much to my getting older that any change in siceital attitudes) Fact is, people still make assumption about class based upon race… and i live in the suburbs of NYC, not exactly redneck territory.
Many have said the the “proper response” is to merely walk out. While that is the tact I have most often taken, I have also quietly gone off’ on a saleperson or two in my day. I don’t see myself as an evil person for doing so, nor do i belive it is reflective of “self esteem ” issues, but a mere human respose to being slighted.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:45 ambased on what i read, i’m with condi on this one. that was a totally adequate response to sass.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:47 amIn Italy we started addressing the politicians as our employees.
It rather pissed them off ;-)
Thanks Beppe!
August 29th, 2007 at 11:47 amah, here we go again, Libtards attacking minority Conservatives.
I am sure that TP and other Libeal outlets would be decrying anyone on the right who dare write somethign similar about a minority Liberal.
how pathetic and small of TP.
and look at the insults, venom and hate being spewed on this forum against Dr. Rice.
Liberal=hate
August 29th, 2007 at 11:47 amAnother one of those why-waste-your-precious-bits-on-one-that-is-central to-the-bush-foreign-policy stories…”Twill always be a crapshoot and you’d only give yourself an unecessary coronary. Impeachment of Bush and Cheney…See now.. Ahhhh, therein lies the rub. Coronaries and Ulcers?
They ALL go Bye-Bye.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:48 amWell we can assume the employee was racist but there is also the possibility that she too was black, so that is just an assumption.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:49 amWe can however demand respect without the elitist commentary on our personal wealth ,a very simple ” do not speak to me in that tone ” addresses the problem without the critique on the individuals status.There is a difference between being assertive and being a bitch.
Yes, Condi is an important person, a VIP. Her important job for which she is handsomely paid has been toilet training a Chimp and teaching it to use a knife and fork. She hasn’t been very successful, apparently, but trying to civilize a chimpanzee is hard work.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:51 ami want to hear from that clerk!
what exactly is “sass”???
condi’s “let’s get one thing straight” comment
August 29th, 2007 at 11:53 amwas a put down…
there are better ways to tell off rude people…
…
I don’t get why this is a story.
If you get bad service, you let them know. It helps the store, and it gets you better service.
Comment by squegeeboo — August 29, 2007 @ 11:01 am
It’s a story because TP applies different standards to libs and conservatives. Like the way TP reports Republican earmarks, but ignores Pelosi’s and Feinstein’s. ;)
August 29th, 2007 at 11:56 amwhoa! how the hell can we “assume” that clerk was “RACIST”???
GET OFF THAT LINE OF CRAP.
.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:57 amThis another one of those bushie-team stories. No need to expend your precious bits on these bushie-team stories, you’d only give yourselves a coronary. Impeach Bush and Cheney? See now…Ahhhh, therein lies the rub. Coronaries and Ulcers? They ALL go bye-bye.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:57 amoppression of the proletariat, anyone?
August 29th, 2007 at 12:00 pmI don’t get why this is a story.
If you get bad service, you let them know. It helps the store, and it gets you better service.
Comment by squegeeboo — August 29, 2007 @ 11:01 am
It’s a story because TP applies different standards to libs and conservatives. Like the way TP reports Republican earmarks, but ignores Pelosi’s and Feinstein’s. ;)
Comment by upright left — August 29, 2007 @ 11:56 am
TP is a sad, pathetic, run by perfect ignorant and idiotic people left wing hack site.
They are NOT interested in the truth, they are NOT interested in keeping government honest. the only thing TP is interested in is making Conservatives, Republicans and anyone that disagrees with the amoral Liberal ideology look bad.
Their double standard and their hypocrisy is quite sad and pathetic.
I wonder why TP, who claims to be for the truth, and honesty and is not scared of anyone hasn’t run a story on how the Washington Post refused to run a comic making fun of Islamic extremists. Yet the same Post has no problem running comics making fun of Christianity.
Oh I forgot, according to the left it is hip, cool and in to make fun of Christinaity, but you are an intolerant, closed minded bastard if you make fun of Islamic extremists. I am sorry, I forgot. pathetic.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:06 pmThat is awesome. Just cuz she is the secretary of state don’t mean she has to be a saint. However, this statement is not meant to condone her actions in office. She SUCKS as a secretary of state.
The bitch was behind the counter.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:11 pmpathetic. Comment by why
You said it.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:11 pmwhy
1: The Washington Post is a conservative rag.
2: Seen as this is what you guys think of as being morally okay, I will take your moral judgements with more then a grain of salt.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:12 pmI can’t count how many times I have heard someone say “The customer is always right” in an effort to justify their whining or expectations of unrealistic service. As an employee you should do all you can to make sure the customer gets the proper service and products, but harming your business at the expense of a customer’s ego is wrong - at that point you ask the customer to leave and never come back. This kind of thing is an extremely rare occurrence, but sometimes it just has to be done. 99% of all customers will get everything they ask for and deservedly so, but it is that final 1% that show that “The customer is NOT always right”… Sometimes the business is “right”.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:14 pm1. We don’t know when this happened. Condi could have still been at Stanford and not a public figure.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:18 pm2. We don’t know if the clerk was being racist or rude at all. Maybe Condi was standing at the costume jewelry counter and thus the clerk assumed Condi was looking at something in that case.
3. Regardless of what happened, Condi was rude. It is always wrong to purposely make any other human feel insignificant and inferior to you. Best response: “I’d like to see your supervisor.” Frosty but still polite alternative: “You misunderstood me; it may surprise you, but I can afford real jewelry. Show me something nice.”
4. It’s a story, because it’s an interesting slice-of-life story about a celebrity. And she’s supposed to be diplomatic, which makes this funny.
Let’s get one thing STRAIGHT:
I commit TREASON for a living, and get paid WELL by my husb…, er, “presidemt” Bush.
YOU work for minimum wage because you wouldn’t vote for us TRAITORS…
August 29th, 2007 at 12:23 pmThe people that are saying she was snooty and dressing down a poor little wage slave behind the counter are missing the point. Didn’t you read the line about the salesperson “sassing” her under her breath? Most of us have experienced this brand of rudeness before. If things happened as described here, the salesperson got exactly what was deserved.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:25 pmPartisan hatred is something how it will twist people. This supposedly happened to Rice long ago when she worked at Stanford. ( When she was at Stanford, NOT working as sec of State) The clerk may have been rude to everyone or prejudged Rice as someone shopping for costume pieces. An employee at a retail location shouldn’t be harassing customers. I’m not saying that it’s bar none the best way to handle such a situation, but if Rice weren’t a Republican ( and most likely a black woman) no one would really be picking on an accomplished woman for standing up for herself against a rude clerk who may have had racist prejudices in play (even if the clerk was the same race as Rice). I find it disturbing the venom and bile spewed at Condi over this incident, I’m no fan of Republicans or Democrats for that matter but if you are out shopping you are directly supporting that clerk’s wage, the clerk should show civility. I call bullshit on everyone saying they should or would walk away. I’ve personally seen clerks treat black and white patrons differently and I say good for Condi for not tolerating it. If you don’t stand up for yourself things will never change and you will be forever a doormat.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:26 pm(in her typically quivering voice…)
“I believe the title was ‘Bin Laden determined to attack inside the United States.’”
PRADA, bay-bay!
August 29th, 2007 at 12:26 pmwhat a prick she is!
August 29th, 2007 at 12:26 pm@121 - more than standing up for herself, let alone her fellow african americans, rice seems to me to have just been ruder than the clerk.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:28 pmWonder what side of the counter she’d be on if the party whose values she defends had been in charge earlier in the century.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:28 pmComment by why — August 29, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
…] on the larger picture of __why__ the Post hasn’t run what you suggested is simple:
Most squirmishes have at some point claimed the causes of “winning hearts and minds”. You would not win a single grain of sand in the world today with fiefdoms controlling the life-blood of our culture, like oil, by printing stories that would incense their delicate senses. Face it, the internet or other COMM protocols has opened the book of knowledge to all and and sundry. Third world countries are now wise to a lot of the business negotiations that feed landmark international agreements and pacts and want a piece of that action as well.
We are simply still in denial over the glaring fact of it.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:29 pmAm I the only one here who was taught that bragging to someone about how much money you make, especially to someone who’s making wages below poverty level, is vulgar and boorish?
Or that a sign of maturity and gentility is the ability to make your point with civility and grace?
Maybe it’s just a southern thing.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:29 pmI despise Rice, but I have some sympathy about this. I have found that retail store clerks often exhibit poor judgement and bias towards the people they serve.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:30 pmOh spare me! She was 1000% right. The person at the store is paid to provide customer service. If the person acts as she did, ie did NOT do her job, she should be dressed down at a bare minimum, if not fired on the spot.
There is no story here folks, nada. Only the PC liberal trash of america floating to the top again to expouse the opinions handed out to them by the whiney rich elite who want to further entrench their power and money (much as the right). Wake up!!!
August 29th, 2007 at 12:33 pmright on! serves the clerk right. she sees a black women and automatically thinks that this person is poor and can’t afford anything nicer.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:35 pmSo, anyone know if Condi’s gay? Straight? Any serious suitors?
August 29th, 2007 at 12:35 pmShe was wrong to point out the clerks wages as compaired to hers….period. It was rude behavior on both their parts.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:36 pm129 and 130 I disagree. 132, spot on
August 29th, 2007 at 12:43 pmand here you have the true definition of a CUNT!
August 29th, 2007 at 12:44 pmOne more thing, Condi’s only human, and the clerk pissed her off, BUT, Condi’s comments DID show her true nature. When a person gets angry, they lose the ability to reason and just spit out what’s on their mind.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:47 pmWith that said, we ARE SEEING the real condi here.
I know that Dr. Blacker and Ms. Rice have been friends for many years. . .but I’m not sure that this is the type of statement makes about a “dear” friend. Of course, Dr. Blacker may behave with the same ego, and, therefore, her behavior seems normal to him!
August 29th, 2007 at 12:54 pm“funny how many in the middle class still believe that this administration really cares about them..”
Thank the corporate news media for that (CNN, FOX, ABC etc..). They play a big part in that charade.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:57 pmand here you have the true definition of a CUNT!
Comment by paul smitty — August 29, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
You sound like with all said, you have one heck of hankering for that woman. That’s what you sound like!
10 Hail Mary-s
August 29th, 2007 at 12:57 pm20 strokes of the cane and come back in a fortnight, my son.
Dr. Blacker may behave with the same ego, and, therefore, her behavior seems normal to him!
Comment by Bounder’s mom — August 29, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
THAT was one of my points…
we only have HIS rendition of this scene…
HIS idea of what “sass” is…
I want to hear from that clerk!
August 29th, 2007 at 12:59 pm…
Wow, it’s amazing looking at all the people that think they know something about something when they don’t know jack about anything. You don’t know what the Clerk said and that’s the critical part. If the clerk was insulting, why does she have to take it?
If you as a store clerk insult me or treat me like crap, I’m going to put you in your place as you well deserve. Why do I have to leave and go elsewhere and let you “win” by being rude to me?
Maybe Condi blew something out of proportion and totally over reacted. Maybe the clerk was being racist. Oh and as far as not knowing who Condi was, half the people in the country ESPECIALLY college kids can’t even name the vice president.
So unless you know specifically what the clerk said, stop saying Condi was rude, or it was about Race, or Condi was right or Condi was wrong. None of you know.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:00 pmInteresting. Condi is so ’smart’ she’s on the ‘better’ side of the counter but so dumb that she puts herself in the position of trading cash for silly objects that could have been put to better use than ‘bling-bling’ to hang off her ears (particularly when it won’t do a thing to enhance a physiognomy like hers). Oo Condi! You are so smart. Yeah, right. And your so-called diplomacy proves it. Such an overly-educated loser. Go crawl back to Stanford or some cushy think tank and write your book. I won’t be buying it.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:01 pmPost 5 wins. If you were too stupid or lazy to get a higher education, and are stuck earning minimum wage, then you have no right saying something calling Condi, or me or anyone successful with a sassy attitude. You can think anything you want, but when you’re at work, act professional.
This PC culture drives me insane.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:02 pmI think a lot of people here don’t really get it. Condi’s behavior isn’t notable because it’s rude; it’s notable because she’s telling the clerk that Condi’s bank account makes her better than them. This episode illustrates her medieval perception of class interaction in a much more direct way than our only former glimpse, her 5th Avenue shoe shopping while corpses were floating in the Katrina floodwaters. Despite a VERY different upbringing, her understanding of America’s social classes vis-a-vis American egalitarianism is very sympatico with the Bushes and Cheneys.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:04 pmFor all the folks who say Rice was justified in her response, I hear my mother’s voice - “She started it!” does not excuse your bad behavior (no matter who you are)!
I work in retail and I know from personal experience that while the customer is usually right, they are more often than you might think, just trying to get something for nothing. While I agree the clerk behaved inappropriately, personal abuse is NEVER the “right” response.
Since when do two wrongs might it right?
August 29th, 2007 at 1:05 pmAll the expensive jewlery in the world could not make this utter witch look good. Rice makes Marie Antoinette looks like a saint. KMA KKKondi.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:07 pmYou people…LOL. Who cares what Ms. Rice said to a random jewelry store worker? She’s a hard liner type and probably isn’t sunshine and farts 24/7. PC crowd go home!
August 29th, 2007 at 1:13 pmI know for a fact this did not happen in the state of Texas.
I witnessed a customer at a Barnes & Noble ask multiple questions of a salesperson. While the sales person was trying to answer, the customer said “Look, my time is very valuable! I make over $30 dollars an hour and you’ve already wates more money of MY time than you make in an hour!”
The sales person looked shocked, and a manager that happened to overhear the rude comments immediately walked over and said: “Leave this store. Money doesn’t make the person, and we would rather you take your oh-so-important money and spend it where people are willing to kiss your ass. It won’t heppen here!”
Sec. Rice was right to not accept rude comments, but to claim that her money makes her more important shows that her class is still way down in the sewer with her morals of working for a liar, and the worst administation this country has ever seen.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:13 pmThe fact that Rice is an elitist bitch with no regard for working people is not surprising, but it’s irrelevant next to the fact that Rice is the most spectacularly incompetent National Security Advisor in history and one of the worst Secretaries of State to ever hold the job. Let’s not let her personal failings cloud these facts.
And, as someone who owns a small business, let me point out that yes, the customer is always right, but that doesn’t give the customer the right to treat a worker like dirt.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:15 pmOMG…a minimum wage laborer gave her attitude. Well alert the press, that’s never happened to anyone before. I understand wanting good service, but at the same time as long as stores continue to employ the working poor for 6/hr you can’t really expect a high level of enthusiasm. That’s pretty much only going to make someone work just hard enough not to get fired.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:22 pmC_ _ _ T.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:26 pmGiven Cunny’s track record as secretary of State, she has no room to judge another’s job performance.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:29 pmKC
Since when do two wrongs might it right?
About when three lefts started doing the same thing.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:30 pmCome on, we all know Condi’s a neo-con puppet. While over in the UK recently she made a casual remark about “thousands of tactical mistakes” we’ve made in Iraq. Of course, we won’t hear about those because she’s been a Bush administration cheerleader from day 1.
Ms.Rice’s Corporate Connections? Take a wild guess cuz it’s banks and oil, baby :
ChevronTexaco; Charles Schwab; Transamerica Corp.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:31 pmYep, Rice did make her neocon ‘fortune’ from all of the usual suspects:
Chevron Texaco - Charles Schwab & Transamerica Corp !!!!
….and now she’s their bitch!
August 29th, 2007 at 1:33 pm…I loathe this BS:
What’s a girl gotta do to get a 130,000-ton oil tanker named after her?
Ask Condi Rice. She so charmed Chevron’s board of directors that they named one of the company’s tankers after her. In addition to sitting on Chevron’s board, Rice was also a director at two other multinationals—brokerage firm Charles Schwab and insurance company Transamerica Corp.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:40 pmCarat?
Comment by Mr. President — August 29, 2007
Cavat, as in:
August 29th, 2007 at 1:40 pm“Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi sed saepe cadendo”
Comment by Kevin — August 29, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
She has ‘great fortune’ too. Oh Lord, Mom I have found the one!
August 29th, 2007 at 1:41 pmChevron Texaco - Charles Schwab & Transamerica Corp !!!!
….and now she’s their bitch!
Comment by Kevin
Schwab the decks, Condi!
August 29th, 2007 at 1:44 pmConsidering the minimum wage worker helps pay Condi’s wages, it was improper for Condi to use the fact that she makes more money than the minimum wage worker. That was tacky IMO.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:46 pmI am no fan of this administration, nor of Condi. But I think she was justified in being insulted by the clerk. Perhaps she could have handled it more gracefully, but what she said wasn’t that bad. Black people experience discrimination so frequently that it has to boil up into rage from time to time. I don’t think I could be diplomatic all the time in the face of a lifetime of bad treatment, either.
I say good for her for standing up herself and demanding to be treated with respect.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:48 pmI don’t know why people are trying to make this a racial issue. If I get bad service I let them know. She got bad service and wouldn’t stand for it. I’m an Appalachian-American (hillbilly) and when people say things under their breath about me (usually referring to incest) I go on the offensive as well. Why should she be considerate of the clerks feelings when he obviously wasn’t concerned about hers? She should have pulled him over the counter and pounded him into mush. I love you Condi. Don’t ever change.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:53 pmGood for Condi. She’s got more brains than any of the commenters above. And was perhaps being looked down upon by the brainless store-person who saw a black woman and figured she’s poor.
Of course, you brainiac liberals would never figure that scenario out, would you? As Pat Schroeder says, you’re just too smart!
August 29th, 2007 at 1:57 pmYou, are an idiot Russbo ; Condi’s a Bush / oil corporation lap dog.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:58 pmRice is a good American.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:58 pmGood for Condi. She’s got more brains than any of the commenters above. Of course, you brainiac liberals would never figure that scenario out, would you?Comment by daveinboca — August 29, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
OMG, I think I just threw up in my mouth . GET. OFF. THE. FOX. NEWS. NOW!
August 29th, 2007 at 2:00 pm(())(())(())(())(())(())
High Five to Rice - That’s freaking awesome
The retail clerk Bitch deserves it for talking “sass” to a customer.
(())(())(())(())(())(())
August 29th, 2007 at 2:03 pmDavidStaRR, “OMG, I think I just threw up in my mouth”
When that happens, you’re supposed to swallow hard, I read that in a DNC briefing backgrounder!
August 29th, 2007 at 2:11 pmRice is a good American.
Comment by ForTruth
Also, somewhat typical.
August 29th, 2007 at 2:18 pmSadly.
daveinboca: “Good for Condi. She’s got more brains than any of the commenters above.”
This isn’t about brains. It’s about an elitist pig treating a minimum wage worker like dirt and rubbing her wealth in a minimum-wage worker’s face. It’s not about intelligence. It’s about human decency. But I don’t expect power-worshiping Bush cultists to understand that.
August 29th, 2007 at 2:19 pmProof that snobbery just like love is colorblind
August 29th, 2007 at 2:22 pmI’ve always been a big fan of Condi. She takes no crap, and knows how to kick ass.
August 29th, 2007 at 2:29 pmReticulated Colon “This isn’t about brains. It’s about an elitist pig treating a minimum wage worker like dirt and rubbing her wealth in a minimum-wage worker’s face. It’s not about intelligence. It’s about human decency. But I don’t expect power-worshiping Bush cultists to understand that.”
You are not getting it because your IQ is closer to one-digit than to three [hint: below 55]. You don’t know what the clerk said nor even if she is getting minimum wage. You are a simple-minded class warrior who wants to kiss the private parts of anyone who threatens America, by the gist of your gibberish.
Some Colonel you must have been! HA HA HA!
Oh, and you spell it Einstein, not “Einstien,” moron!
August 29th, 2007 at 2:33 pmI would add “ugly” to bitch because she is really, seriously fugly.
August 29th, 2007 at 2:35 pmDr. Condoleeza Rice is a poster child for all that is wrong with affirmative action and all that is wrong with Bushism.
August 29th, 2007 at 2:38 pmThis anecdote appeared in an article on Condi in Harper’s a few years back. In the context if the story, the jewelry salesperson certainly sounded like she showed Condi cheap(er) jewelry because she was black.
Most people of color would react with indignance when treated this way. Did Condi cross the line? That’s for you to decide. Cut her slack as you prefer.
The distasteful bits of Condi’s personality and politics don’t excuse the clerk’s racism. And Condi’s mistreatment don’t excuse the distasteful bits of her personality and politics. That is, unless you want to argue that the conflict was not about racism.
August 29th, 2007 at 2:40 pm<