What would you do if you witnessed an interracial couple facing hateful criticism while out in public?
This was the case when the hit ABC series What Would You Do? hit up a Harlem barbershop. The primetime show, which captures bystanders’ reactions by setting up mock scenes with actors and hidden cameras, created quite the stir when an African-American hairdresser hurled hateful insults towards an interracial couple.
In one of the scenes, a customer comes to the defense of the couple and puts the hairdresser in her place, saying:
“You are ignorant. Keep your opinions to yourself because you sound stupid. As much criticism as we’ve been through as a people, you are going to do it to the next person.”
In another powerful scene, one of the bystanders, who happens to be an HR executive and diversity trainer, offers a personal and softer approach.
“Civil liberties run the gamut – I’m gay, do you think that’s wrong?”
She later encourages the hairdresser/actress to apologize and offers her a “H.U.G,” affectionately dubbing the acronym:
H.U.G.S – Helping Us Grow Spiritually
It’s awesome to see ABC conduct this social experiment in an effort to shed light on an issue that is often ignored. Take a look at the video below – what would you have done in the same situation?
VIDEO CREDIT: You Tube | PHOTO CREDIT: ABC
