No, I’m Not the Cleaning Lady: Letter to the Editor

Two volunteers for the Woodbury Heritage Society had very different experiences upon entering City Hall the morning of April 27, 2013. 

The day started as it did for most Minnesotans—a great day to be alive, healthy, and living in a gorgeous Midwestern town that was rated as one of the best cities in the nation, according to various publications. 

So why wouldn’t these two persons rejoice in being Woodbury citizens and volunteers, too?

The first volunteer to arrive at City Hall found a group of people waiting outside who appeared to be associated with a local civic organization. There appeared to be a pageant court setting and there were children as well as adults present.

As the volunteer approached the entrance, she was asked if she had access. She replied “Yes,” and went on to explain, however, that she could not allow others to enter. She then was told that she must be “here to clean” by one of the waiting people.

Her answer was: “No, I’m an independent worker; I am not here to clean.” The person continued to rattle on about City Hall how employees work five days a week and that since “you are here at an odd time you must be the cleaning lady.”

The volunteer who had this experience is African American, a tax-paying, purchasing, African-American Woodbury citizen.

The second volunteer arrived and was asked if she could let the group in. On responding, “No, I do not have the authority to do that,” she found her answer to be accepted gracefully by the group with no question as to her career.

This second volunteer pointed out to the group that the profiling behavior of the waiting group toward the first volunteer, which she had been told about by phone, was totally unacceptable in any way, shape, or form.

The volunteer who had this experience is Caucasian, a tax-paying, purchasing, Woodbury Caucasian citizen.

The group eventually gained access through the proper City Hall authority. The person who spoke the “profiling” words was apparently instructed by one of its other associates to locate the volunteers and apologize. 

Unfortunately, the apology, although possibly well intentioned, was as offensive in other ways as the original profiling.

Woodbury wants to grow. Woodbury wants to continue be a successful community. It’s the children who were present and heard this exchange who may unfortunately grow up with the same mistaken profiling attitude, which will potentially prevent Woodbury from becoming the town it wishes to be. 

—Eleanor Davis, Woodbury

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