Gyasi Ross: Don't be too big or too brown for all those racists

My first legal job was as a public defender in Seattle. When I was getting ready for my first jury trial, I scoped out the empty courtroom that would ultimately host the trial. While scoping and practicing my (compelling) cross-examination, I wore a suit (my first new suit!) and tried to replicate the experience of trial—no surprises. Know where the jury box is, where the defense table is, etc., etc. No surprises.

While practicing my cross-examination, a young white lady came into the courtroom. I smiled at her and continued pantomiming the interrogation. She smiled back—very cordial. Then, with a smile on her face, she asked me very politely, “Excuse me sir, are you waiting for your attorney?”

I know, I know.

Anyway, I didn’t let on that I was a lawyer. I smiled—it was actually cute. I mean, it reeked of white privilege, but it was cute. She was sweet. She later found out and apologized profusely. I believe that her apology was sincere and that she was very embarrassed. Whatever—I get it. I wasn’t even mad or offended. White privilege—a huge Native dude with long hair in a suit and a courtroom??? Seriously?? Who knows—maybe I’d think the same thing.

Still, the fact remains that unlike the general legal presumption of innocence—that a person is innocent until proven guilty—the big brown guy (suit or not!) was guilty until she later found out that I was innocent.