Racial profiling at the gas pump?

Posted By: Shuyee Lee · 10/26/2012 4:16:00 PM

A black Montreal man is accusing Esso of racial discrimination and he's asking for a half a million dollars in compensation.

In a story first reported by Global News, Longueuil resident Patrick Dubois filed a complaint with the Quebec Human Rights Commission alleging he was a victim of racial profiling.

Dubois said he was gobsmacked when he asked the attendant at an Esso in St. Laurent why his gaspump was blocked when everyone else that morning was filling up without paying first.

"She said to me, 'Oh yeah, I couldn't see you, you were too black,' " Dubois told CJAD News.

"Maybe I misunderstood, I'm just going to ask again, you never know, right? And I said, 'What do you mean I'm too black?' And she said, 'I couldn't see you, your truck is black, you're all dressed up in black and you're black, I couldn't see you so I blocked the pump. How much fuel do you want, can you pay now?' "

The attendant has defended the action saying it was for security reasons because she couldn't see the pump. When CJAD News asked the owner for comment, he refused and hung up.

Dubois also wants an apology. He points to a similar case at another Esso before the uman rights commission.

"In 2012, things like this are disgusting, it's unacceptable. I don't think Esso should let that happen to anybody else. I know I'm not the only one. It's too much," Dubois said.

"In 2012, we're supposed to evolve not go back to the dinosaur age."

 

Photo: Patrick Dubois

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  1. Buddy Kaybay posted on 10/26/2012 04:46 PM
    While the attendant's comment was crude and merits disciplline, I don't see how this can be called racial profiling. Mr Dubois wasn't denied service because of his race, and his human rights were certainly not infringed.
    1. Gary posted on 10/26/2012 06:25 PM
      @Buddy Kaybay Totally agree, Buddy. She was being unrefined, not uncommon in these parts. But when she says: "How much fuel do you want, can you pay now?" she falls head first into racist territory.
    2. Bob posted on 10/27/2012 09:18 AM
      @Buddy Kaybay How is blocking his pump because he is black not discrimination?? LOL. What a shameful thing to do. You'd think in this day and age, people could stop being racist. I'm assuming the person who did this is an older person. That tends to be the people who are the most conservative and out of the loop about the present age and how we are supposed to react. That, or the person is just stupid.

      I'm surprised this was in my area (St. Laurent). Usually this is more of a West Island thing.
  2. I call B.S. ! posted on 10/26/2012 08:33 PM
    There is no way this guy deserves a half million dollars for misunderstanding the attendant. I'm certain this is in no way racial profiling, discrimination or any other label you could think of.
    I hate people like this. Get over it man.. If it was dark, and you're dressed all in black and driving a black vehicle, it's certainly possible she didn't see you..if she asked you to pay, maybe, just maybe it was to save you a second trip inside.
    In the States now, 99% of stations make you pay in advance. It's a real hassle to go in once to pay, then a second time for your change.
  3. Mikol posted on 10/28/2012 01:33 PM
    She had no business making any comments such as that. She is
    a first class moron. Montreal is really really going down hill for a long
    time now.
  4. CJ posted on 10/29/2012 09:15 AM
    To Everyone on this board...I have experienced this in Laval, It was much worse. The attendant came out asked for my debit card then watched me gas up...It was one of the older gas pumps. This has happen to my sister on the south shore. At a gas station, the attendant made her come it to pay while everyone else payed after. So those who think its not racial profiling, I have a idea for you. I dare you to get made up as a black person or a person of colour and see how it feels to wear my skin for a day in Quebec. It will never change until we all have a common enemy. As for asking for half a mill...ya i agree its over kill... I have learned here that when one black person screws up we are all put in the same basket...


    Regards

    CJ
  5. Murray posted on 10/29/2012 03:02 PM
    I am going to paint myself black and go to as many gas stations as possible and pray that the same thing happens. :o) I can use a few million $$$ to give to charity!
  6. Eric posted on 10/29/2012 04:30 PM
    This was spoken in English? Maybe it's just a language issue. Perhaps the attendant is a french speaking person and just used the wrong words, not fluent in the English language. Could all just be a misunderstanding due to language. I've heard many times Francaphones use the wrong words trying to converse in English.
  7. chuck posted on 10/29/2012 05:45 PM
    the attendants reaction is so typical a quebeckers reaction to a visible minority. its like a knee-jerk, they have no control over their mouth or thoughts. of course the attendant will never be called on this becuase of the tacit racism that exists at all levels in quebec society. whenever I hear a political party trumpet the inclusiveness of quebec society this incident and others come to mind. I wonder if they are so stupid or myopic they cannot see the hypocrisy of their own actions. Or perhaps they think no one is even looking. plus ca change plus c'est pareil in quebec.
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