"black men and public spaces"

A few years ago, when I was younger I went shopping with one of my friends who was a little bit older than me. She told me how she would go to the mall and steal things because she had no money, and it was fun. Although I did not agree with her and told her it was wrong, I went to the mall with her anyway. After walking into a store, she picked up something and I told her to put it back. I walked out of the store and headed toward a different store.

The store's security seen her take something and automatically thought I did too. Unfortunately, we both were taken into the security office. I pled my case and told them I would not do something like that. I know better not to steal, thats just not me. I also told them they can check my bag, pockets etc. After checking through my things they still told me I could not leave because I was "guilty by association". I was so mad at my friend for getting me into this kind of trouble. She told the officers she didnt take anything but they didnt believe her. After an hour of being in the security office for over an hour, they found nothing in her bag or her pockets. She didnt take anything after all and we were both free to leave.