Are you here to fix the copier?

So with all the media coverage of the Gates/Crowley incident, I can't help but have my own feelings, emotions and judgements. I have read many people's comments on numerous articles about this incident and am so disheartened. There are claims of racial profiling as well as claims that racism is only alive and well because people of color won't let it die. For all those that don't feel race is an issue or that the only people who are racist are the people of color themselves, I'd like to share a story that happened just the other day.

About a week ago Kong came home and shared an incident with me. Kong had been working on a large, time sensitive and highly public transaction. He needed to consult with the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) on the information he was working on so he headed to the CIO's office. Upon nearing the office an Admin (who happened to be a white woman) stopped him and asked, "Are you here to fix the copier?"

So what's the big deal about this comment? Only that Kong was not there to fix the copier. What about him would have triggered her to assume he was? Could it be that she judged him and what he was qualified to do because of the color of his skin? An Asian guy on a floor with all of the executives? There's no way he's there because he has any real business with the executives. Of course not so he must be here to fix the copier.

Never mind the fact that Kong is only one level removed from the CIO. Never mind that the finance executives often speak and work with Kong. Never mind that Kong works with billions of dollars. Never mind that Kong teaches finance at the university level. No matter how much money he makes, no matter the status he achieves in life or the titles he earns, he will always be judged and viewed as only qualified to fix copiers.

If he were white would she have made the same assumption? Are people of color the ones keeping race alive? Do white people no longer see color? What do you think?