Hypervisibility Part 2...
- Hey Miss. Slaughter
- Oct 22, 2018
- 3 min read
As I write this I'm listening to Living Single, the episode where Kyle turns 30. No, i'm not turning 30 although I have already planned some of the details of my 30th birthday party. #BePrepared.
This is a continuation of me being Black in the Balkans. Now, what do we know about Mecca besides Mickey D's is her favorite... she loves shopping. When I shop I feel like a jello mold that came out perfectly. I could be shopping for a broom and I'll make it fun. So take a seat, grab a poptart, and hear how one experience shopping in Macedonia made my favorite physical activity a dark hole.
Sunday morning I decided to put on my big girl pants and take the bus to Skopje to go to the "City Mall". I put on an outfit that would be easy to take on and off, for trying on purposes. It was going to be a great day. I walked to the bus station and took my seat, daydreaming about the fun I was going to have while searching for outfits and trying on shoes. My heart was all a flutter. I hopped off the bus and proceeded to walk in the mall. Now I am SLIGHTLY getting used to people staring at me and I was focused on finding an outfit and a pair of shoes so I was like "LET THEM STARE". As I walked in I saw two familiar stores and the American in me fully showed as I passed the Aldo and stopped at the LUSH stand. Oh I knew this was a sign that today was going to be great. I saw the products at LUSH that I normally use and purchased one of them right away. I told her that I would come back if I didn't go over the budget as I whisked around the mall. But before I could make my first transaction a curious mother and daughter approached me to take a picture. I am getting tougher so my "no" meant "no". Now although I said no, I know for sure the snuck a picture anyway. This means that there is a random picture of me buying Herbalism somewhere in the world. Anywho, I still felt that it was going to be a great day. The lady at LUSH let me know some good stores to go to in the mall and I went on my way.
From the first store to the last, I was followed. Not the ooo we gotta follow the Black girl in Von Maur, no! This was every store. As soon as I walked in not only did the other customers stare at me, the security guard would get off his phone and follow me. They thought they were being sneaky. I WORKED WITH THIRD GRADERS, I HAVE EYES EVERYWHERE.
Not being able to "pass" in this country has diminished my love of certain things. Being Black has been something that I have grown to love and celebrate within myself and others #MyBlackIsBeautiful. One of the last stores I went into, Aldo was the only store I was okay with trying something on... only to find out they didn't have my size :( . #LaCienegaBoulevardez I left the mall with socks, a face mask from LUSH, and my love of shopping shot. Now before you all fly to me and bring shoes and long enough pants, know that this was just one experience. I plan to travel to other places where I may not be followed and scared to try on clothes. When that time comes I will update you all.
You may be asking yourself, is Mecca okay? Does she need a hug? Yes and Yes! I am okay, I may be a lil down because of that experience, but I still love being Black, I still love shopping, I still love trying on clothes and having mini fashion shows in the dressing room. But I may not get all the joy back until I come home, but all is well. And anyone reading this who sees me and wants to give me a hug, I wouldn't mind it.
So what did we learn today? Hypervisibility won't stop, even at your favorite place. And, they have a LUSH in Macedonia #WorthIt. Until next time my beautiful, lovely readers.
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