Racism The New Norm in Southern California?

We went on a nice weekend getaway as a family to spend some of our vacation time. It's usually hard for us, since we juggle three differing schedules in our household. Our destination was San Diego. We had a great time there. However, on our way home we promised our daughter ice cream. I Google searched Baskin Robbins and we were just about to exit the Freeway to go into San Clemente for a gas fill-up. We decided to go a little further into the city to get her ice cream treat. We start to drive into the city and my husband says, " you know I don't see any Hispanic people." I look around, and everyone walking down the street is Caucasian. We look at each other and then decide we should have only one of us go in and take the ice cream to go.

As I walk in everyone turns and looks at me. The ice cream attendant seems eager to serve me. I give her my order 1 single scoop of vanilla, and 1 double scoop of chocolate chip. She looks at me and doesn't seem to understand my order. I am speaking to her in clear, loud enough English. It took me a minute to realize that she was not hearing me, because she was too busy looking at my brown skin. The other 4-5 people in there were doing the same. I am an American Citizen. Born in Lynwood, CA. Spanish is my 3rd language. English is my primary, and Japanese is my second language. I do not have a "heavy accent".

I tried to shrug this off, as it's all in my mind due to the high racial tensions across the U.S. Yes, there are I.C.E. raids this weekend but it does not apply to me. Then, one of the (blonde, caucasian) ladies bumps into me on purpose, and makes a face. She confirmed this disgusting reality. Being Brown is frowned upon. Citizen or not we're all brown. Racist people just don't care. We are beneath them like that piece of gum you step on by accident.

As I tried to pay for my ice cream and leave this very uncomfortable place, I notice that the ice cream attendant feels the same way. She wanted me out of there, and fast. But there were 3 people ahead of me. At this point I was glad that my daughter and husband remained in the vehicle. I don't know how to explain racism to my daughter and I hate that I have to.

I am 41 years old and have only felt this way a handful of times in my life. All I know is that, that this city is not brown people friendly. When I was leaving, I noticed there was an exception to the rule. The exception is when you are in a service job such as; a family nanny, gardener, cashier, or maid.

It's a shame that in such a diverse state we have sections and cities that are racist communities. Needless to say I was extremely happy and proud to come home to the SouthEast.