I was buying paint in a small, local store. Both the white male cashiers approached me, a white woman, asking if I needed help, and then offering to ring up my sale. When I entered the store, I noticed a black man standing at the registers, waiting to purchase the paint that he carried. I told the white guys, "I believe that customer was here first." They ignored me. Then I said, "I will wait. He was here first." The white guys were rude to him, but allowed him to make his purchase. I still don't know if I embarrassed the black man by speaking up. I don't know if he saw it as a challenge to his masculinity. I didn't do what I did because he was black, or because I thought he needed an ally, I did it because he was first in line. I left the store wondering if I should just allow people to speak up for themselves when they are dismissed.