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Driving While Black

Trying to make an honest living...

By Latoya Giles Published 3 years ago 3 min read

So, I work for a well known delivery company, right. I deliver packages with my personal vehicle. I have a vest with the company logo clearly printed on it, but my car is "unmarked". This is going on my third year delivering. It really is a wonderful opportunity. As a single mother, I appreciate the flexibility. I work when I want. There aren't very many jobs out there that offer such a thing. There are downsides though. These are my stories:

It was the last delivery of my shift for the day. It was a 5 hour shift that ended at 6:30am. The sun had risen all the way, so the sky was bright. The app that is used for delivering has a navigation tool that provides directions right up to the customers front door. Now, this particular location had a shared driveway. Picture this: there is a house to the right of the driveway at the beginning and then further back toward the end of the driveway is a second house on the left side. My package was to be delivered to the first house. The navigation had actually directed me to pull to the very end of the driveway. I decided against it because I saw the address of the first house and realized that was the delivery location. I only pulled partially into the driveway to get off of the small street, and also like I said, the directions took me there. I did my little stuff on my phone and then got out of my car to go to the customers porch and complete the delivery. I turn around and walk back to my car. I have this bad habit of looking at the ground when I walk. I look up and there is this older white man standing near my car with a big black dog half his height but twice his weight on a short leash. The dog was in the "sit" position. Now remember I said that even though my car is not labelled, my vest is. I make sure to have my vest visible at ALL TIMES to avoid situations like this. My fellow African Americans understand what I'm saying. It sucks being racially profiled.

"Why are YOU in my driveway?" He asked me very curtly.

"I just delivered a package to this (points to house) house sir."

I tried to be non-threatening. He was already visibly agitated.

"You are in my driveway and you are parked over my newspaper!" At this point, he has raised his voice. He has also started waving his free hand around at me.

"Sir. All I do is follow the navigation directions that the delivery app gives me. Clearly this is a shared driveway. If you do not want anyone else to pull up into this driveway, I suggest you call and talk to my company's customer service!" I said what I said, but I did not yell.

"My neighbors do NOT order any type of packages you liar! I know all about your kind. You are probably out here stealing. LEAVE!" He spit as he spewed these last few words.

I kept it cute. I heard my dads voice in my head telling me to "kill them with kindness". I just smiled and got into my car. I didn't rush either. I got in one leg at a time, closed the door, chose some music, fixed my mirrors and THEN I left. He stood right there and watched me the whole time. Oh... and there was no newspaper under my car. So yeah, who is really the liar here?

AuthorsDocumentaryHeroesHumanity

About the Creator

Latoya Giles

I'm just a single mom tryna make it. Come with me on my journey through life in writing... "A dream deferred is not a dream denied"... "Life is not a crystal stair..."

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