We've all heard the disappointing and sometimes horrifying stories of people shopping while Black, driving while Black, and even walking while Black. But what about banking while Black? Trish Doolin, an architect from Kirkland, Washington, was recently trying to cash her first paycheck from a new job at a KeyBrank branch in Seattle when the employee serving her proceeded to question the authenticity of both the check and her career - far more than what would normally be considered 'standard procedure.' Rather than simply asking for her ID, the teller attempted to contact the HR department of her Philadelphia-based employer, asked Doolin a series of invasive questions, and decided to hold the check for a whole 9 days "just to be safe" when it was all through. Having only been a customer with the bank for 29 days, she was understandably shocked.
"I live in a world where, no matter what's in my brain or purse, no matter how I wear my hair... I’m still black. People still clutch their purses when I walk past," Doolin told Buzzfeed News after going public with her frustration on social media. KeyBank has since claimed to "not tolerate discrimination," but Doolin is not convinced, and has reported that she will be switching banks.
Debates have now broken out over whether this woman's treatment was in order, or borderline racist. Scroll down to find out more.
This is Trish Doolin, an architect from Kirkland, WA, who claims a bank in Seattle discriminated against her
It all started when she entered the KeyBank branch to deposit her first paycheck from a new job...
Some people couldn't agree more that her experience was a classic example of corporate racism
Others, however, say the bank teller involved was merely following 'standard procedure,' or were unsure
