My 15 year old bi-racial son was chased down/ harassed by the older Caucasian man that works here.
My son went into the gas station and paid for my gas while his grandma and I waited in the car. My son started to pump the gas (my son is a gentleman and enjoys pumping gas for us so that we don’t have to get out of the car.)
A moment later an angry man stomps out to our pump and demands my sons age. I asked the attendant if there was a problem. The man yelled that it was illegal for my son to pump gas. I informed him that he is permit driving age and there is no law saying he couldn’t pump gas. He told us we need to leave.
I called Wheaton police, explaining what happened, and asked the off-duty officer if there were any laws or ordinances against a 15 year old pumping gas in Wheaton. The officer informed us that there were no laws against it. He added, “they encourage teenagers that are learning how to drive to pump gas with adult supervision, so that they may learn how to safely fuel a vehicle.” The officer suggested that we not go back to that particular gas station.
This man verbally attacked my son and I. Although I would like to believe that this wasn’t racially motivated, something in my heart is telling me that he had it out for my son because he is black.
I pray for discrimination to end. We are all children of God. May God Un-harden this man’s heart and give him the peace he needs to be kinder to people of all races and ages. ~Krissa
gas station
convenience store