Shopping While Black - Social Experiment

This experiment turns into a pretty emotional one. While some people are unaffected by the discrimination they observe, others are completely offended on behalf of the victim. One man who objects to her treatment can relate because of his own experiences, but other people (two different white women) seem completely offended by the idea that anyone would be treated in such a way.

Consider (though we haven't talked about this year) what is it about some people that makes them step forward on behalf of a stranger? Some people are content to witness something in their surroundings but are somewhat unaffected by it, while others are compelled to act. What is the motivating factor? Could it have anything to do with each person's place in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, maybe? The stronger ones who are higher in the chart, closer to self-actualization, may feel more comfortable stepping forward while others, less secure in themselves and their level of needs, stand back? If the basis for Maslow's needs is that people act to remove deficiencies or continually move up in the levels, what's the motivating factor when the person themselves are not in danger? Ie: If you want to move to step three (social needs) and therefore have attained safety / security, would you feel threatened personally if someone near you were in (a type of ) danger like this woman? Or maybe they're at the fourth level (esteem needs) and taking responsibility of their surroundings.

You may notice, as well, the three things necessary in Motivation: 1) Arousal (something triggers your attention), 2) Direction (a goal-oriented movement to act) and 3) Persistence (affecting the intensity and duraction of your action).

Maybe some people are just especially emotional - is it by their hormones (biological), their mental and emotional empathy for others(Cognitive), or maybe they are just weaker and more insecure than others and threatened by things they see (again... cognitive). What do you think?

You could also reflect on the facial expressions, as seen on the woman's face before the video plays. She's very effectively communicating her response.

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  Education

[S M M A Sayem]

its really a masterpiece of racisim.its happening here as well.

[NYyankeeboi]

I completely agree that this rarely, if ever happens here in the U.S. However it is a very accurate description of how most people are just cowards and will do nothing to help their fellow citizen.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing. -Edmund Burke?

[Ieatbabyseals]

There are hardly any natural haired black girls on tv.. Or at least I hardly see it. 

[Kimberly Simmons]

That lady didn't even look black. Why didnt they get a dark skinned lady with natural hair to play the black lady? Smh wwyd is just as bad !

[cavok84]

the end is truly near, fucking stupid show with negligent provoking behavior around the shopping public. I'd freak out if some idiot actors staged some bullshit and interrogated my behavior and tried to spout some normative bullshit.

[Borah Renee]

good ending i loved it!

[thegame346]

This experiment portrays to the public that this type of discrimination happens in the majority which it does not. It happens in very very rare occasions.

Racial discrimination is something that will always be there yes, but to say it is still systemic and institutionalized to THIS level is in my opinion being very dishonest with exactly how America conducts itself.

This simply is not an accurate depiction of the USA... period!

[Lorenzrnb]

wood smash this chick, srs hnnnng berry dat azz

[inthepeaceofthenight]

this is the most stupid, fake show on tv. the public watches it and thinks they have learned something about social science, while all they have seen is a script with actors. this is not a goddamn study!

[RYC GMOVEMENTS]

experiment or not i would punch both the security out cold and the bitch in the store hahah and then i would find out it was only an experiment and face some kind of charge hahaha