TikToker MekMek0831 is calling for a boycott of an Applebee’s location in Georgia. In her post, she alleged that the restaurant’s management team favors white staff over employees of color. MekMek identified herself as a frequent visitor to the establishment and told TikTok that the pattern of unequal treatment is frustrating. MekMek warned, “Applebee’s on Washington Road, count your days. I see you. We’re tired. Let me sit here and tell you something.” She told her viewers that she often visited the restaurant to complete her schoolwork, which gave her plenty of time to observe the daily operations of the staff. MekMek alleged that after the departure of an employee, the management team became entirely white, which she felt led to a lack of recognition for the hardworking multicultural staff. The TikToker then claimed that the brown employees worked hard and maintained a positive attitude, only to be overlooked. “I’m constantly seeing how these white people are getting praised, and they don’t do anything,” she claimed. As an example, the TikToker pointed to ‘Miss G,’ a young white woman, who allegedly refuses to take certain party tables. When she does work, MekMek claimed that the white managers offered her excessive praise, gifts, and public shout-outs. She asks, “Meanwhile, why are the brown people what why they’re not getting shouted out the same?” A common experience A lot of her viewers agreed with her, not just about the location but about the pattern of behavior. One commenter noted, “Thanks sis, I come in there a lot with my 2 patients and always gets the white waitress who personally is lazy. But it’s never busy like Windsor spring location. So that’s why I go. But no more Applebees. Thanks sis for making us aware.” @mekadaempress #fyp #boycott #applebees on Washington Road for #non Recognition of #brown people ♬ original sound – MekMek0831 Another user shared, “I stopped eating at Applebees years ago this has been going on forever. I don’t spend my money where we are not appreciated.” One uner noted, “Thanks for saving me a trip, that’s messed up.” A fourth added, “Yep and it is so messed up.I got your back. I have seen it also.” MekMek’s allegations match a racial dynamic that has been a topic of research for some time. According to The Conversation, there is evidence that black service workers are often rated lower by both customers and supervisors than their white counterparts, even when their objective performance is identical. The researchers found that black employees often have to perform what is known as emotional labor. This, the outlet noted, involved amplifying and faking positive emotions, just to be perceived as friendly or competent. As an ongoing case at IHOP noted, sometimes the behaviour becomes outright racism from managerial staff. The study noted by The Conversation suggested that while white employees can be viewed positively even when they put in less effort, black employees are not afforded the same benefit of the doubt. This creates a cycle where black workers may face fewer opportunities for raises and promotions. Additionally, the constant pressure to maintain a facade of extreme friendliness can lead to job burnout and health issues. Furthermore, per Forbes, a study by Management Leadership for Tomorrow noted that there is a disconnect between the experiences of people of color in the workplace and the perceptions of white leaders. The research found that 95% of the MLT alumni they surveyed reported experiencing racism in their current or past workplaces. However, only 64% of white respondents believed that racism occurs in the workplace. Many respondents reportedly shared stories of being held to different standards. Many also shared that even with degrees and certifications, they were passed over for promotions in favor of less qualified colleagues. One anonymous respondent noted, “More and more is said about what might be missing from your profile, only to achieve those things and still not come out ahead. It’s smoke and mirrors to promote or give the jobs to less qualified people who they feel comfortable with.” Another individual explained, “I thought going to graduate school would give me a level of credibility, however, I constantly felt like I had to ‘prove’ that I was equipped to manage certain projects/tasks, more than my white counterparts.” While MekMek’s solution doesn’t fix the larger systemic issues, she believed a boycott is best for Applebee’s, noting that the community can demand and force better treatment. As the TikToker put it, “So brown people, y’all know what to do since we are not getting recognized for our work, for our work ethic, do not go there. Let’s boycott Applebee’s on Washington Road.”