Black Customer Gets Accused Of Stealing His Own Jacket, So He Makes Them Regret It
Rokas L BoredPanda staff
First impressions are often wrong, and in this case, it was also humiliating. 29-year-old James Conley III has shared a series of videos, showing a West Des Moines Old Navy employee accusing him of stealing a jacket. “I was accused that I didn’t pay for my blue bubble jacket that I got for Christmas that I wore into the store,” he wrote.
Conley’s story has attracted the interest of the entire county, accumulating over 113K reactions and 150K shares on Facebook. The man plans to file a civil rights complaint and then a civil damages lawsuit. He claimed that the nationwide reaction to his Facebook post helped him realize how huge and widespread of an issue racial profiling is.
Scroll down to read what James and Old Navy itself have to say about the incident.
More info: Facebook
James Conley, a regular customer of Old Navy has just had a shopping experience he will probably never forget
Leaving the shop, James couldn’t believe what just happened
Soon after, Old Navy (owned by Gap Inc.) released a statement about the situation
Regardless, James plans to file a civil rights complaint and then a civil damages lawsuit. What’s your take on the incident? Let us know in the comments below!
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What do you think ?
At least they were all fired
I was going to say that as well, the company at least took it seriously and took action even if the store manager did not think that she should apologise, those higher up did.
or else they are covering their a** , knowing that this is a very good civil suit and would like to see James drop it. I might be more inclined to believe the apology was sincere if they offered James something for his trouble.
It is quite common for companies that get complaints to say that the people involved were fired to deflect the attention
The Manager represets the Company.
Might be the employees acted on the rules imposed by the company and now were fired as scapegoats.
But the lawsuit is important because legal action is the only way to keep huge, billion dollar corporations in check. They don’t like bad publicity, but lawsuits shame them up. They need to understand that if there employees act like racist fools, the consequences will be a lot more serious than some temporary negative media attention and an apology.
Robert Rohrs I don’t know where you are from, but you don’t understand how important civil rights laws are in this country. Further legal action IS justice because when civil rights are violated the law gives out a punishment that equals the crime. Being shamed is not just for violating someone’s civil rights in this country. And no, resentment doesn’t stir racial tensions, racist behavior does. By ur comment, it seems that like a lot of foreigners, you think u understand our society....You don’t.
Cesi, Fiona, I don't think you'll ever see this, but have even considered this from the perspective of the cashiers? You're working your typical shift as a cashier when some black guy comes up to the register to pay for some clothes. Then you notice his jacket has the Old Navy tag. You ask if he is going to pay for it, he says it is his, you say well the tag is on it. He then proceeds to whip out his phone and take pictures and videos of you and your colleagues calling you racist. After checking the security cameras, it is confirmed he came in with the jacket and he leaves. A few days later you are fired for racist behavior. Not to mention he is suing Old Navy over the event. But no, three cheers for 3 fired cashiers, and one black man who played the racist card and has completed his get-rich-quick scheme with a lawsuit backed by the media. Every consider he planned to walk in with that tag visible? Or were you too blinded by "LoL Racist" and someone "pushing back at racism" to notice?
Although I sort of understand where Robert is coming from there, as I used to feel the same way, my attitude has changed. At the very least the company needs to be held to account and show that they have procedures and training in place that it will NEVER happen again, else other corps just get away with "oops, sorry, our bad, we've sacked them" and think that will be the end of it. Won't help end racial profiling. A severe fine, bad publicity and a company wide wake up call will at least mean that corps will make darn sure they don't stand for any of this carp from their employees.
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They were shamed. The responsible parties were fired. Further action is not justice, it is part of the culture of resentment that stokes racial tensions.
until this has happened to you them getting fired will never erase being made fell as if you are wrong for existing!! Americans and Non American treats black like the scum of the earth based of what others have said about us!! It is hurtful beyond belief to feel threatened continuously because of the color of your skin!! But yeah they got fired!!
Loren, I'm not black and I really can't feel your pain but I can imagine it. As I said in my previous comment, I would be more inclined to believe the apology was sincere if they offered James something for his trouble. (A nice stock in the company comes to mind). That would certainly make them think twice before hiring those that are prejudice. If they just left it alone it would not be good for business because you don't have to be black to boycott.
Fired is not enough! They should be going to court for being racist and made to pay something to this young gentleman. I truly admire they way he handled this.
Okay Loren it is up to him to decide if he wants to pursue further action. There is a similar story on here where a girls Vietnamese father received a racist email , and a lawyer on twitter agreed to pursue the case pro bono. The girl's father did not want to do that, however. I'm sure he could get a suit out of this if he wanted to pursue it, but then being relieved of their jobs is definitely a start.
I want to reply with something that's rational and thought provoking. but you, uh, just stereotyped everybody who is not black as being racist as all get out. You are right, however, being treated like scum because your skin color is different is wrong and hurtful. so pot, meet kettle...
Chill. This happens more in your country than any other's.
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Americans and Non-Americans? So everyone. Sorry you "fell" that way.
Yeah but were they really fired or sent to another store ??? Thank goodness James video it. And they lied to him about videoing in their store cause I have done it, I've videoed some clothes in Old Navy I was going to buy for family members. So James file the lawsuit, they had 3 of their employees harass him and accuse him of stealing with no proof WHICH IS BULL CRAP !!!
Exactly. Anyone who displays that kind of prejudice should be taught a lesson. Equality is more important now than it ever has been before, which means the consequences of stereotyping will be more extreme.
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Extreme consequences aren't equality, let me guess you sympathize with black panthers?
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Yes, it is getting more extreme, and will keep the fires of hatred alive.
So what does the incident say about prevailing sterotypes in this country. How did such young people harbor and exercise their bias seemingly without a second thought. It's not about the firing its about the atmosphere in this country that allows this attitude to grow and be acceptable. Should I think that all white people are racist? Of course I do not believe that but when I walk into a store I can't tell which white person is going to exercise their bias againt me. I have to wait to be discriminated against first. Can you understand my discomfort. It's like being in a horror movie and not knowing which tree the monster is going to jump out from behind before I react.
@Aaron, Did she contradicted herself or are you just being obtuse? If she said "I'm not going to say all white people are racist, but I know that whenever I speak to one of them they're going to be racist" Then yeah she would be contradicting herself, but that's not what she's saying, she's basically saying some white people are racist and she can't tell which one's are until they actually discriminate against her which leaves her with a sense of discomfort/insecurity. If you're not understanding her point then that's on you.
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Yeeeeeeeeeeeeah "I'm not going to say all white people are racist, but i'm waiting for the next racist white person". You basically just contradicted yourself. And no I can't understand your discomfort; it doesn't matter what skin colour you are prejudice happens anywhere
They were all fired? Good serves them right! Racists!
I'd go back and check they aren't still there....
That's supposed to be a good thing? 3 minimum-wage cashiers who probably live paycheck to paycheck got fired because some black piece of shit cried racist when they stopped him from, for all they knew, stealing a jacket. I'm surprised, scrolling through the comments, that hidden and down-voted comments saw through the BS layer of 'fighting back' and 'standing up against oppression', while the top comment with 300 likes is happy 3 cashiers lost their jobs, just for trying to prevent a theft. "At least they were all fired", maybe think about their perspectives on some shit trying to steal a jacket and then crying racist.
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Well I am glad to hear that. Only fired? I thought 'termination' was a little more permanent. Wouldn't be surprised about anything in the US of A ;-)
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so now everyone can take whatever they want from Old Navy and no one will stop them because Old Navy employees will be afraid of getting fired
THAT is your take away? So the moral of this story for you is that the "managers" should be allowed to accuse anyone they want with impunity, treat people disrespectfully if someone they deem unsuitable of wearing their own clothing into their store, wrongfully accuse said person and then treat them like shit and refuse to apologize after being proven wrong? That is what you're getting from this? I mean if that's your take away what do you get when shown a video of an actual theft?
*A wild racist appears*. You should be ashamed of your fascist comment, kostas.
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Are you totally mad as a bat? Shame on you. Hope that one this will happen to you!
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I would be willing to bet they were fired because they didn't follow rules which force you to be able to view the person from the time they take the item to the time they walk out with it.
So glad he recorded this nonsense and got the names as faces of those people. They're pathetic and he truly kept his cool through it all. An amazing reaction given the situation he was put in.
He was great! Keeping his composure the way he did, magnifies the absurdity of the situation.
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so you say...yet an apology and the firing of the three employees is not enough for him?? Now it's all about the money he thinks he will make after he files the lawsuits.
That is one possible reason but you're missing out on the big picture. If he should win a lawsuit, what do you suppose the company will do to prevent future incidents like this. If I was the CEO, I would very quickly implement a training program for all employees to participate in annually. It also sheds light on why "Black Lives Matter" too!
After 16 years of being in retail, all colors, genders and ages steal.
This is true, but young black males are profiled. There is absolutely no doubt about that.
@Charlotte: But those baby strollers make for great hiding places. The baby may not be stealing, but all the accessories help enable the parent(s) to. It's a shame that some children are raised that it's totally ok to steal. To Megan's point. Amen, in my 25+ years working retail, it's always been stressed, to never assume based on appearance, but focus on behavior instead.Thieves tend to give themselves away. Had a Loss Prevention mgr tell us the story of how he was touring a store when they saw 2 guys walk in grab a canoe put it over their heads and walk out. Some random shopping even held the door assuming that no one would be that brazen.
I disagree. I have yet to see a new born shoving a pair of shoes inside it's romper...
@heather mack-scott It's also sad when people are raised racist too.
Lol Charlotte. I have seen a young as 2, it was out of a bulk foods bin and his mother brought him back and forced the store manager to tell him he was going to call the cops and throw him in jail. The kid just about pissed himself.
10+ years of working contract security makes me doubt that very much, actually. Race is a very poor indicator of a person's intention. Like when I ask a person if I can help them find someone... my intention is to be helpful. not, somehow, passive-aggressively tell people they don't belong. If I have some reason to believe you don't belong, I'll ask flat-out what your doing in my building. Race is never a reason to do that. Gender sometimes has been, however. (there was a lawyer that specialized in spousal abuse. Sometimes angry husbands showed up. They got to find out how I feel about spousal abuse.)
There's also no doubt about him walking into a store wearing a jacket from said store, with the tag still on. Said jacket he got months ago. If I was stopped in an Old Navy because my jacket I got before still had a tag, I would stick up for myself, apologize for causing an event, and ask them to check the security cameras. Once the tapes confirm I came in with the jacket, I'd apologize and be on my merry way. I guess if I'm black(I'm not) I could've filmed it, posted it on facebook captioning "Racist! LOL", filed a lawsuit, got 3 minimum-wage workers probably working paycheck to paycheck fired, and be praised by the media. If only I was black.
This is my experience too, at least in Germany black people ain´t shot by the police, but I see racism so often, at the stores, at authorities, downtown, everywhere, #BlackLivesMatter, and we´re all God´s children, no matter what colour of skin, religion, ethnical origin, gender or sexual direction we have!!!
Most young people are profiled....whether black, white, Spanish.... it’s the age that’s profiled. Not color
Thus, all the clever thieves use young white girls yo do their shoplifting. At the peril of the Retailers. 2-types-of...bd0300.jpg
Some stores are so deep in black areas they gotta suspect who they suspect they cannot wait for a Swedish tourist to walk in BUT ys still should have cause the cameras are right there.
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BS. Lisa
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What about the multiple white friends I've had that get watched like a hawk as soon as they enter a mall, a store, etc. I've had friends who have gone through this who were white(big surprise) but you don't see them marching up and down the streets making a big fucking scene acting like the world owes them something. Black people aren't victims, the ones like you like having privilege and act like you had chains and shackles on 100+ years ago.
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It’s a matter of the bad blacks ruining things for the good ones, there’s a majority of prisons are filled with black guys and that really ruins things for the good black people
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15 years ago, definitely. not so much today. corporations will not tolerate it..what happened here was an anomaly, it's not the norm... and they all were destroyed. guess we're all happy now. I will sleep so much better knowing some clerks were canned.
Sure, it happens. But once you find out that you, as the store manager, was wrong and that the person did NOT steal anything and was a paying customer, you should have the decency and professionalism to apologize to that customer 12 ways from Sunday. Maybe even find a way to make it up to him for his time and inconvenience, not to mention all of the other things he was feeling at that moment. There were 100 different ways that could have gone to make it better than just totally dismissing him and the shit he had just been put through. Basic customer service and human decency.
A nice gift card for example would have helped with some huge apologies!
That's just the subtle racism we as young black men face in this country. :-( sad-baby-5...e23479.gif
I think he didn't go apologize because he realized after the filming and calling the cashiers racist that this was a get-rich-quick-because-I'm-black and not a simple mistake and he didn't want to lose his job, be hated by the media, and get his life ruined by some piece of shit. "Basic costumer service and human decency"? Say that to James.
A simple "Oh we´re sorry, but we sell the same jackets too here" would´ve done it for James, I think, but NOPE, not a single sign of regret or any apologize!!!
And how many white people did they stop under the same circumstances?
add the 4 carry the one divide by pi.... 0 they stopped 0
When I worked retail (2 diff companies) we weren't even allowed to confront a customer who looked suspicious unless they tried to walk out of the store with merchandise that we personally saw them steal. The scenario here is disrespectful & at least borders on illegal (it IS illegal where I live.)
This is anecdotal but I look white & am a young female. I have often walked into stores wearing merchandise I have purchased there & have never once been stopped & treated like this man was.
Excellent question.
I don't know how many but I'd bet they were young and did not look so well to do. they profile everything and sometimes it's not done equally and most times that doesn't equal racism, just a bit of common sense. The store has to strictly define common sense stops and what is just cause. Smart shop lifters work in teams with a innocent one acting suspicious and while they are tied up with them they get the good stuff.
even rich people steal!
Even( he said with a tongue dripping with sarcasm)via GIPHY
Dum dum he came in the store with the jacket on so he didn't steal it pay attention
I think you missed the point of Megans comment.
so???????????? Do we treat everyone like this??? If one is caught in surveillance camera, than also he/she is asked to go inside the manager's cabin and whatever procedure has to be followed are observed. No way one should be humiliated like this.
And ... some of the biggest thieves are those who work retail!
Your comment almost sounds like you are condoning the actions of the Old Navy staff, by stating "All colors, genders and ages steal." While that most likely IS an accurate statement, why would you even bother to comment on it if not to try an condone the (now fired) staff's actions? If anything, you could have commented some such as: while it is possible that ANY person, regardless of race, color or creed, can be accused of theft, the staff of Old Navy could have, and SHOULD HAVE, used a LOT more discretion and tack when dealing with a customer they were concerned to have been involved in a property theft." That leaves the accusatory nature of your wording out yet allows for employees to actually to do their jobs and conduct a THOROUGH investigation and apologizing for any error and/or inconvenience this customer had been made to endure. The customer, OTOH, was smart to remain calm, cool and respectful while (RIGHTFULLY!) maintaining his innocence! Must we all start wearing Body Cams?
^ (STOOPID autocorrect...change "tack" to "tact" to make it right and remove the capital "A" where I was quoting Megan's comment, too. Also, add quotations at the beginning of my inclusion sentence and capitalize MY addition at the start of my suggested comment insertion. I suppose "I" should use a bit more care to be sure I don't throw rocks at folks in glass houses before I ensure MY house is in order, eh? LOL :-)
I didn't read the comment that way at all. I thought the OP was emphasizing how ignorant it was to profile the guy. I took it as a msg to Old Navy; like "Hey you dummy's, all thieves are not young, black guys." (and nor are all young, black guys thieves.)
Boy you have that right. I've seen it multiple times as an emp!oyee and a store owner.
Yes, this! Everybody can and will steal, but here’s another thing. Young black men already know you suspect them, so guess what? The people they don’t think are stealing, know they aren’t suspected at all, so...
Don't know if it was meant to be, but this is a rather funny comment.
And that contributes to he situation HOW?
True. But I go into a store that has places all over our city area, and the only ones that do that are in non-white areas. I asked about that and they TOLD me it's because they don't need them in other stores. Sad, but true. So there is a precedent set.
So does that necessarily follow then that this man is a thief? talk about type casting where on Earth do you come from.
I think you missed the point of Megans comment.
whats your point? have you ever been forced to take off an article of clothing and have it scanned to prove you didn't steal it?
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Your point being......? Should Old Navy then scan all of the garments worn by every customer who enters their store? I guess, since you have been in retail for 16 years, you also know that actions based profiling are illegal.
I think her point was that racial profiling is stupid because *everyone* steals. That assuming he was more likely to be a thief because he was a young black male was not only racist but flies in the face of what their experience (the manager anyway, no idea how much experience the clerks had) should have told them.
At least they were all fired
I was going to say that as well, the company at least took it seriously and took action even if the store manager did not think that she should apologise, those higher up did.
or else they are covering their a** , knowing that this is a very good civil suit and would like to see James drop it. I might be more inclined to believe the apology was sincere if they offered James something for his trouble.
It is quite common for companies that get complaints to say that the people involved were fired to deflect the attention
The Manager represets the Company.
Might be the employees acted on the rules imposed by the company and now were fired as scapegoats.
But the lawsuit is important because legal action is the only way to keep huge, billion dollar corporations in check. They don’t like bad publicity, but lawsuits shame them up. They need to understand that if there employees act like racist fools, the consequences will be a lot more serious than some temporary negative media attention and an apology.
Robert Rohrs I don’t know where you are from, but you don’t understand how important civil rights laws are in this country. Further legal action IS justice because when civil rights are violated the law gives out a punishment that equals the crime. Being shamed is not just for violating someone’s civil rights in this country. And no, resentment doesn’t stir racial tensions, racist behavior does. By ur comment, it seems that like a lot of foreigners, you think u understand our society....You don’t.
Cesi, Fiona, I don't think you'll ever see this, but have even considered this from the perspective of the cashiers? You're working your typical shift as a cashier when some black guy comes up to the register to pay for some clothes. Then you notice his jacket has the Old Navy tag. You ask if he is going to pay for it, he says it is his, you say well the tag is on it. He then proceeds to whip out his phone and take pictures and videos of you and your colleagues calling you racist. After checking the security cameras, it is confirmed he came in with the jacket and he leaves. A few days later you are fired for racist behavior. Not to mention he is suing Old Navy over the event. But no, three cheers for 3 fired cashiers, and one black man who played the racist card and has completed his get-rich-quick scheme with a lawsuit backed by the media. Every consider he planned to walk in with that tag visible? Or were you too blinded by "LoL Racist" and someone "pushing back at racism" to notice?
Although I sort of understand where Robert is coming from there, as I used to feel the same way, my attitude has changed. At the very least the company needs to be held to account and show that they have procedures and training in place that it will NEVER happen again, else other corps just get away with "oops, sorry, our bad, we've sacked them" and think that will be the end of it. Won't help end racial profiling. A severe fine, bad publicity and a company wide wake up call will at least mean that corps will make darn sure they don't stand for any of this carp from their employees.
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They were shamed. The responsible parties were fired. Further action is not justice, it is part of the culture of resentment that stokes racial tensions.
until this has happened to you them getting fired will never erase being made fell as if you are wrong for existing!! Americans and Non American treats black like the scum of the earth based of what others have said about us!! It is hurtful beyond belief to feel threatened continuously because of the color of your skin!! But yeah they got fired!!
Loren, I'm not black and I really can't feel your pain but I can imagine it. As I said in my previous comment, I would be more inclined to believe the apology was sincere if they offered James something for his trouble. (A nice stock in the company comes to mind). That would certainly make them think twice before hiring those that are prejudice. If they just left it alone it would not be good for business because you don't have to be black to boycott.
Fired is not enough! They should be going to court for being racist and made to pay something to this young gentleman. I truly admire they way he handled this.
Okay Loren it is up to him to decide if he wants to pursue further action. There is a similar story on here where a girls Vietnamese father received a racist email , and a lawyer on twitter agreed to pursue the case pro bono. The girl's father did not want to do that, however. I'm sure he could get a suit out of this if he wanted to pursue it, but then being relieved of their jobs is definitely a start.
I want to reply with something that's rational and thought provoking. but you, uh, just stereotyped everybody who is not black as being racist as all get out. You are right, however, being treated like scum because your skin color is different is wrong and hurtful. so pot, meet kettle...
Chill. This happens more in your country than any other's.
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Americans and Non-Americans? So everyone. Sorry you "fell" that way.
Yeah but were they really fired or sent to another store ??? Thank goodness James video it. And they lied to him about videoing in their store cause I have done it, I've videoed some clothes in Old Navy I was going to buy for family members. So James file the lawsuit, they had 3 of their employees harass him and accuse him of stealing with no proof WHICH IS BULL CRAP !!!
Exactly. Anyone who displays that kind of prejudice should be taught a lesson. Equality is more important now than it ever has been before, which means the consequences of stereotyping will be more extreme.
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Extreme consequences aren't equality, let me guess you sympathize with black panthers?
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Yes, it is getting more extreme, and will keep the fires of hatred alive.
So what does the incident say about prevailing sterotypes in this country. How did such young people harbor and exercise their bias seemingly without a second thought. It's not about the firing its about the atmosphere in this country that allows this attitude to grow and be acceptable. Should I think that all white people are racist? Of course I do not believe that but when I walk into a store I can't tell which white person is going to exercise their bias againt me. I have to wait to be discriminated against first. Can you understand my discomfort. It's like being in a horror movie and not knowing which tree the monster is going to jump out from behind before I react.
@Aaron, Did she contradicted herself or are you just being obtuse? If she said "I'm not going to say all white people are racist, but I know that whenever I speak to one of them they're going to be racist" Then yeah she would be contradicting herself, but that's not what she's saying, she's basically saying some white people are racist and she can't tell which one's are until they actually discriminate against her which leaves her with a sense of discomfort/insecurity. If you're not understanding her point then that's on you.
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Yeeeeeeeeeeeeah "I'm not going to say all white people are racist, but i'm waiting for the next racist white person". You basically just contradicted yourself. And no I can't understand your discomfort; it doesn't matter what skin colour you are prejudice happens anywhere
They were all fired? Good serves them right! Racists!
I'd go back and check they aren't still there....
That's supposed to be a good thing? 3 minimum-wage cashiers who probably live paycheck to paycheck got fired because some black piece of shit cried racist when they stopped him from, for all they knew, stealing a jacket. I'm surprised, scrolling through the comments, that hidden and down-voted comments saw through the BS layer of 'fighting back' and 'standing up against oppression', while the top comment with 300 likes is happy 3 cashiers lost their jobs, just for trying to prevent a theft. "At least they were all fired", maybe think about their perspectives on some shit trying to steal a jacket and then crying racist.
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Well I am glad to hear that. Only fired? I thought 'termination' was a little more permanent. Wouldn't be surprised about anything in the US of A ;-)
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so now everyone can take whatever they want from Old Navy and no one will stop them because Old Navy employees will be afraid of getting fired
THAT is your take away? So the moral of this story for you is that the "managers" should be allowed to accuse anyone they want with impunity, treat people disrespectfully if someone they deem unsuitable of wearing their own clothing into their store, wrongfully accuse said person and then treat them like shit and refuse to apologize after being proven wrong? That is what you're getting from this? I mean if that's your take away what do you get when shown a video of an actual theft?
*A wild racist appears*. You should be ashamed of your fascist comment, kostas.
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Are you totally mad as a bat? Shame on you. Hope that one this will happen to you!
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I would be willing to bet they were fired because they didn't follow rules which force you to be able to view the person from the time they take the item to the time they walk out with it.
So glad he recorded this nonsense and got the names as faces of those people. They're pathetic and he truly kept his cool through it all. An amazing reaction given the situation he was put in.
He was great! Keeping his composure the way he did, magnifies the absurdity of the situation.
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so you say...yet an apology and the firing of the three employees is not enough for him?? Now it's all about the money he thinks he will make after he files the lawsuits.
That is one possible reason but you're missing out on the big picture. If he should win a lawsuit, what do you suppose the company will do to prevent future incidents like this. If I was the CEO, I would very quickly implement a training program for all employees to participate in annually. It also sheds light on why "Black Lives Matter" too!
After 16 years of being in retail, all colors, genders and ages steal.
This is true, but young black males are profiled. There is absolutely no doubt about that.
@Charlotte: But those baby strollers make for great hiding places. The baby may not be stealing, but all the accessories help enable the parent(s) to. It's a shame that some children are raised that it's totally ok to steal. To Megan's point. Amen, in my 25+ years working retail, it's always been stressed, to never assume based on appearance, but focus on behavior instead.Thieves tend to give themselves away. Had a Loss Prevention mgr tell us the story of how he was touring a store when they saw 2 guys walk in grab a canoe put it over their heads and walk out. Some random shopping even held the door assuming that no one would be that brazen.
I disagree. I have yet to see a new born shoving a pair of shoes inside it's romper...
@heather mack-scott It's also sad when people are raised racist too.
Lol Charlotte. I have seen a young as 2, it was out of a bulk foods bin and his mother brought him back and forced the store manager to tell him he was going to call the cops and throw him in jail. The kid just about pissed himself.
10+ years of working contract security makes me doubt that very much, actually. Race is a very poor indicator of a person's intention. Like when I ask a person if I can help them find someone... my intention is to be helpful. not, somehow, passive-aggressively tell people they don't belong. If I have some reason to believe you don't belong, I'll ask flat-out what your doing in my building. Race is never a reason to do that. Gender sometimes has been, however. (there was a lawyer that specialized in spousal abuse. Sometimes angry husbands showed up. They got to find out how I feel about spousal abuse.)
There's also no doubt about him walking into a store wearing a jacket from said store, with the tag still on. Said jacket he got months ago. If I was stopped in an Old Navy because my jacket I got before still had a tag, I would stick up for myself, apologize for causing an event, and ask them to check the security cameras. Once the tapes confirm I came in with the jacket, I'd apologize and be on my merry way. I guess if I'm black(I'm not) I could've filmed it, posted it on facebook captioning "Racist! LOL", filed a lawsuit, got 3 minimum-wage workers probably working paycheck to paycheck fired, and be praised by the media. If only I was black.
This is my experience too, at least in Germany black people ain´t shot by the police, but I see racism so often, at the stores, at authorities, downtown, everywhere, #BlackLivesMatter, and we´re all God´s children, no matter what colour of skin, religion, ethnical origin, gender or sexual direction we have!!!
Most young people are profiled....whether black, white, Spanish.... it’s the age that’s profiled. Not color
Thus, all the clever thieves use young white girls yo do their shoplifting. At the peril of the Retailers. 2-types-of...bd0300.jpg
Some stores are so deep in black areas they gotta suspect who they suspect they cannot wait for a Swedish tourist to walk in BUT ys still should have cause the cameras are right there.
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BS. Lisa
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What about the multiple white friends I've had that get watched like a hawk as soon as they enter a mall, a store, etc. I've had friends who have gone through this who were white(big surprise) but you don't see them marching up and down the streets making a big fucking scene acting like the world owes them something. Black people aren't victims, the ones like you like having privilege and act like you had chains and shackles on 100+ years ago.
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It’s a matter of the bad blacks ruining things for the good ones, there’s a majority of prisons are filled with black guys and that really ruins things for the good black people
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15 years ago, definitely. not so much today. corporations will not tolerate it..what happened here was an anomaly, it's not the norm... and they all were destroyed. guess we're all happy now. I will sleep so much better knowing some clerks were canned.
Sure, it happens. But once you find out that you, as the store manager, was wrong and that the person did NOT steal anything and was a paying customer, you should have the decency and professionalism to apologize to that customer 12 ways from Sunday. Maybe even find a way to make it up to him for his time and inconvenience, not to mention all of the other things he was feeling at that moment. There were 100 different ways that could have gone to make it better than just totally dismissing him and the shit he had just been put through. Basic customer service and human decency.
A nice gift card for example would have helped with some huge apologies!
That's just the subtle racism we as young black men face in this country. :-( sad-baby-5...e23479.gif
I think he didn't go apologize because he realized after the filming and calling the cashiers racist that this was a get-rich-quick-because-I'm-black and not a simple mistake and he didn't want to lose his job, be hated by the media, and get his life ruined by some piece of shit. "Basic costumer service and human decency"? Say that to James.
A simple "Oh we´re sorry, but we sell the same jackets too here" would´ve done it for James, I think, but NOPE, not a single sign of regret or any apologize!!!
And how many white people did they stop under the same circumstances?
add the 4 carry the one divide by pi.... 0 they stopped 0
When I worked retail (2 diff companies) we weren't even allowed to confront a customer who looked suspicious unless they tried to walk out of the store with merchandise that we personally saw them steal. The scenario here is disrespectful & at least borders on illegal (it IS illegal where I live.)
This is anecdotal but I look white & am a young female. I have often walked into stores wearing merchandise I have purchased there & have never once been stopped & treated like this man was.
Excellent question.
I don't know how many but I'd bet they were young and did not look so well to do. they profile everything and sometimes it's not done equally and most times that doesn't equal racism, just a bit of common sense. The store has to strictly define common sense stops and what is just cause. Smart shop lifters work in teams with a innocent one acting suspicious and while they are tied up with them they get the good stuff.
even rich people steal!
Even( he said with a tongue dripping with sarcasm)via GIPHY
Dum dum he came in the store with the jacket on so he didn't steal it pay attention
I think you missed the point of Megans comment.
so???????????? Do we treat everyone like this??? If one is caught in surveillance camera, than also he/she is asked to go inside the manager's cabin and whatever procedure has to be followed are observed. No way one should be humiliated like this.
And ... some of the biggest thieves are those who work retail!
Your comment almost sounds like you are condoning the actions of the Old Navy staff, by stating "All colors, genders and ages steal." While that most likely IS an accurate statement, why would you even bother to comment on it if not to try an condone the (now fired) staff's actions? If anything, you could have commented some such as: while it is possible that ANY person, regardless of race, color or creed, can be accused of theft, the staff of Old Navy could have, and SHOULD HAVE, used a LOT more discretion and tack when dealing with a customer they were concerned to have been involved in a property theft." That leaves the accusatory nature of your wording out yet allows for employees to actually to do their jobs and conduct a THOROUGH investigation and apologizing for any error and/or inconvenience this customer had been made to endure. The customer, OTOH, was smart to remain calm, cool and respectful while (RIGHTFULLY!) maintaining his innocence! Must we all start wearing Body Cams?
^ (STOOPID autocorrect...change "tack" to "tact" to make it right and remove the capital "A" where I was quoting Megan's comment, too. Also, add quotations at the beginning of my inclusion sentence and capitalize MY addition at the start of my suggested comment insertion. I suppose "I" should use a bit more care to be sure I don't throw rocks at folks in glass houses before I ensure MY house is in order, eh? LOL :-)
I didn't read the comment that way at all. I thought the OP was emphasizing how ignorant it was to profile the guy. I took it as a msg to Old Navy; like "Hey you dummy's, all thieves are not young, black guys." (and nor are all young, black guys thieves.)
Boy you have that right. I've seen it multiple times as an emp!oyee and a store owner.
Yes, this! Everybody can and will steal, but here’s another thing. Young black men already know you suspect them, so guess what? The people they don’t think are stealing, know they aren’t suspected at all, so...
Don't know if it was meant to be, but this is a rather funny comment.
And that contributes to he situation HOW?
True. But I go into a store that has places all over our city area, and the only ones that do that are in non-white areas. I asked about that and they TOLD me it's because they don't need them in other stores. Sad, but true. So there is a precedent set.
So does that necessarily follow then that this man is a thief? talk about type casting where on Earth do you come from.
I think you missed the point of Megans comment.
whats your point? have you ever been forced to take off an article of clothing and have it scanned to prove you didn't steal it?
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Your point being......? Should Old Navy then scan all of the garments worn by every customer who enters their store? I guess, since you have been in retail for 16 years, you also know that actions based profiling are illegal.
I think her point was that racial profiling is stupid because *everyone* steals. That assuming he was more likely to be a thief because he was a young black male was not only racist but flies in the face of what their experience (the manager anyway, no idea how much experience the clerks had) should have told them.