Even when we do see minorities on television, racist perceptions are reflected. Andrea L. Press, a writer for The American Journal of Sociology holds similar views. She believes that "blacks are disproportionately portrayed in visual media as criminals, drug dealers or users, products and perpetrators of broken families, and in other unflattering lights" (219). Clearly, if race relations are to improve in the United States, mass-media outlets such as television are going to have to offer less racist portrayals, and more diverse programming choices.
By comparison, hidden racism abounds in the area of customer service, most notoriously in large department stores, and restaurants. Large family-restaurant chains such as Denny's Restaurants, and Shoney's Incorporated have been the targets of multimillion-dollar class-action lawsuits because of the covert forms of racism practiced by some of their employees. A few years ago, six black secret service agents reportedly received what they deemed to be discriminatory service at a Denny's Restaurant in Annapolis, Maryland. Fifteen white secret service agents (who arrived after the black agents) received speedy and repeated service, while the black agents were made to wait for over an hour. After several attempts to get service from their waitress, they requested to speak with the manager who took several minutes to come out to them. .
According to Joe R. Feagin, author of the book, White Racism, "This account suggests that any African-American, regardless of economic status, can be the victim of discrimination in public accommodations" (81). Even News Anchor Dan Rather, of the CBS Evening News, marveled that such a thing could happen in modern times, "They put their lives on the line for America everyday, but they still can't get served at Denny's" (81). No person should have to put up with such treatment, however, in the lives of many minorities; this is an everyday occurrence.