Kansas Dealership Scandal: Racism on an Oil Change Sticker Sparks Outrage

By Malik Carter, PowerVault Staff

Picture this: a typical day in Kansas, a man rolls up to his local car dealership for what should be a routine oil change. Little did he know, he was about to receive a not-so-subtle reminder that racism is lurking in even the most mundane corners of life. When he checked his vehicle, the oil change sticker brazenly bore the N-word. Yes, you read that right, a racial slur on a service sticker meant to remind someone of their next oil fill-up. This isn't just a case of an ‘oops’ moment, this is a blaring alarm highlighting how deeply ingrained racism remains in our everyday experiences.

Let's get into it. The employee responsible for this atrocity was fired, according to the original report. But while firing the individual is a start, it barely scratches the surface of the broader issue. The dealership's response of terminating the employee serves as a mere band-aid on a festering wound that needs a deeper examination.

Racism in America is like that annoying relative that just won't leave, it shows up in unexpected places and overstays its welcome. This incident isn't an isolated one; it's part of a larger pattern that shows how racism seeps into the most unexpected nooks and crannies of society. Remember when IShowSpeed was harassed with racist chants at the World Cup? Or the Massachusetts Black man who shut down a Dunkin' Drive Thru due to racial hostility? The narrative is exhausting, but the pattern is clear, racism is a stubborn fixture.

The video below ignited a lot of online discussions about how businesses need to do better.

While it's easy to point fingers at the dealership or the individual, it’s important to interrogate what these incidents reflect about systemic racism and the structures that allow such acts to occur. It's one thing to fire an employee; it's another to ensure that the environment that nurtured such behavior is revamped. We need to question the training, the culture, and the policies, or lack thereof, that permitted this.

Let's talk about the industry. The automotive service field isn't exactly known for its diversity and inclusion efforts. This isn't a baseless statement, it's a call to action. Dealerships and service centers could benefit from diversity training, just as much as any other industry. Why? Because if these establishments are frequented by diverse communities, they ought to be spaces that respect and honor their patrons.

Racism isn't just a personal flaw, it's a systemic issue that requires collective accountability.

For the community, this incident is another reminder of the vigilance required in handling daily life while Black. It's a constant state of having to check your surroundings, knowing that at any moment, racism can rear its ugly head. This is emotional labor that many of us are well-acquainted with but wish we didn't have to bear.

Our community deserves better than a half-hearted apology or a rushed termination of employment. What we need are systemic changes that prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place. These changes involve more than just human resources, they require a cultural shift, one that holds every business to the standard of respecting the dignity of all its customers.

Historically, Black Americans have seen minor victories in the courtroom or in policy, only to face an unending torrent of microaggressions and overt racism at local levels. This has been the case since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and continues into today’s battles against institutional racism. The struggle is very real, and instances like these bring to the forefront the endurance required to keep fighting.

What’s next? For one, it’s crucial that the dealership takes meaningful steps towards addressing this incident beyond the immediate firing. Implementing diversity and sensitivity training for all staff could be a start. Regular audits of company culture and practices might also prevent future occurrences.

As consumers, we have the power to demand more from the businesses we support. We can choose to spend our money where we feel respected and valued. It’s a call to not just boycott, but to engage with businesses that align with our values of equality and respect.

So, as we continue to handle through a world that sometimes seems intent on reminding us of its ugliness, let’s keep pushing for that change. Let’s hold businesses accountable. Let’s continue to foster spaces that respect and reflect the rich diversity of our communities. It’s not just about getting an oil change without incident, it's about driving forward in a world that truly respects all of us.