That Won't Show Them

Over the weekend, Tory Lanez posted a video on social media to share that a white worker at Holt Renfrew insinuated that Lanez did not have enough money to shop at the high end Canadian boutique. In response to the comment, Lanez decided to spend $35,000 as a sad attempt to clap back at the salesman. The R&B star felt accomplished after his shopping spree, telling his fans "Yeah, we balled out your shit. We walked in the store…he ain’t think we was gonna buy nothing. We balled out his shit. We Gucci down. We Louis Vuitton down…” Many people though (including myself) were disappointed with how he handled the situation.

Personally, I expected more from Tory. But at the same time, I can't blame him for being excited about the new money that he has come into. It's what the media teaches us to glorify. But at the end of the day, his reaction to the worker was prideful and immature. Regardless if another salesman received the commission, the employee who discriminated against Tory still benefited from the 35k purchase at the end of the day, big duh. Sadly, what he failed to realize in that moment was that the issue that the worker had was probably deeper than money. Nine times out of ten, it had more to do with race. Therefore, no amount of money could have made the employee any less racist. A black man and his entourage strolling into an expensive store and suddenly, all eyes are on him...maybe you can relate? Anyway, Mr. Lanez's encounter teaches us a few lessons. There are better, more effective ways to seek revenge that definitely don't involve giving the discriminator your hard earned coins. Blowing a bag won't teach someone a lesson. If anything, it would encourage a salesperson to continue provoking customers for a larger commission. Here's a better game plan: What's the one language that all humans have in common? Money. So if you want to make a statement, you have to hit companies where it hurts: their pockets. By removing your dollars from companies who don't welcome you, they will be left with no choice but to change their approach towards future customers. Just look at the company CEO's who felt the need to apologize (after their sales plummeted) for their discriminatory actions.

The more important idea to emphasize though: Why support someone who does not support you? Why do we seek validation from companies and brands that do not value us? We make Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, and other popular brands richer just to feel accepted by those who we feel hold a higher rank in society when ironically, the wealthiest individuals hardly ever splurge on designer things. In reality, the consumer controls the card. We determine what's in style, ALWAYS. Make unprejudiced companies stylish and support brands that have your best interest at heart!

I hope Tory learned from his rookie mistake and that you all did too. You won't prove anything by "flexing" on someone who does not see the value in you whether you're rich or not. That won't show them. But taking your business elsewhere will.