The morning began like any other day. My coffee was still steaming on the desk, and my fingers flipped through the worksheets. My thoughts drifted to the evening ahead — a special moment when my best friend would propose to his beloved in front of friends and family.
But those routine moments, filled with anticipation, were abruptly shattered. From the hum of the office, I heard Vered, one of the representatives I manage, speaking in a trembling voice to an irate client. The woman’s demand to speak with a manager prompted me to step in, hoping to defuse the situation.
I tried — really, I tried. I calmly explained to the customer that the delivery delay was not our fault and assured her we would do everything possible to resolve the issue quickly. But my words seemed to vanish into thin air, as though they were never spoken. Her voice rose louder and louder until, at the height of her fury, she hurled words at me that seared into my soul:
“Who put you in charge? You’re a stinking Ethiopian!”
For a moment, I froze, unable to comprehend what I had just heard. Time seemed to stand still. My heart broke into a thousand pieces, each shard piercing deeper than the last. Tears welled up, and I stepped back, gasping for air. Vered came over, whispering words of encouragement, urging me to let it go. But how can one simply ignore such an attack on their dignity?
By the end of my shift, I returned home utterly drained — hurt and broken. The evening I had been so eagerly awaiting, my best friend’s proposal celebration, felt unbearable. The sting of humiliation consumed me, clinging to my every thought and pulling me into a week of endless anguish.
Finally, I realized I couldn’t stay silent. I reached out to the Tebeka Association, where I found a listening ear and a compassionate shoulder. They are now preparing a defamation lawsuit, working to restore a measure of the dignity that was stripped away in that awful moment.
The Tebeka Association encourages anyone who has suffered from racist remarks or degrading behavior to seek help. You can reach our team at: 072-2424622.
