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A Walgreens spokesperson has spoken out in response to a viral video of a grandmother defending her grandson and his cousin in a recent TikTok. In the video, the children explained that they were attempting to shop at Walgreens. However, they were allegedly wrongfully harassed and racially profiled by an employee.
The viral video was shared on TikTok last week by user @itsss.trayyy. Additionally, the location of the clip’s recording has been landmarked as Chicago. Since last week, the clip has received over 950,00 views and over 8,000 comments.
In the video, a boy is heard explaining that he and his cousin walked into this particular Walgreens to purchase snacks. However, “a lady” allegedly told them that if they didn’t leave, she would call the cops on them.
“Who us? They reportedly asked the lady. To which she affirmed, “Yes, you guys.”
At this point, an older woman is heard replying to the child. She asks him to show her where the lady is.
As the group enters the store, the boy explains that the woman is toward the back. As the group approaches the counter, the woman is seen to be a store employee and affirms that she is the manager.
“Okay, so what’s the problem? My grandson came in here to purchase something, and what did you say to him?” the grandmother asked the manager.
The woman then explains that she told the children to purchase their items with her or leave the store. She then added that “a bunch of kids” have stolen from the store, and although she “wasn’t assuming it was them,” she told them to grab their stuff or she would “call the cops” on them.
“They have every right to come into this store and purchase what they want without being harassed by you,” the grandmother explained. “Why would you tell them bring their stuff up here right now and purchase them or leave, and you would call the cops? Why would you call the cops on children when they haven’t done anything to you?… If they were white kids, you wouldn’t do it.
“
The grandmother instructed the woman to apologize to the children.
“I apologize to you guys. I’m sorry for assuming,” she said to the boys.
After, the grandmother instructed the employee to share the phone number of Walgreen’s corporate office and her direct supervisor.
“You created the situation by addressing them, and they didn’t do anything to you,” the grandmother continued explaining before telling the woman that she doesn’t need to be a manager.
Before the video concluded, the grandmother explained to the children that they have the right to shop in any store they’d like without harassment. Additionally, the TikTok user who uploaded the video shared additional words providing more context on the incident.
“My son and his little cousin went to Walgreens to make a purchase before they could even get in the store good the manager told them to get out or she would call the police on them- (they are 11 and 12 years old, elementary school students) Racial profiling begins at a young age for African Americans – but you won’t get away with it-
NOT on our WATCH! #FYP #stopracialprofiling#theseareourfuture“
The Shade Room shared footage of the viral incident this weekend. Since then, social media users have entered the comment section to share unanimous applause for the grandmother.
Instagram user @laurintalese wrote.
“Imagine your confidence as a kid if you knew that THIS type of woman had your back. 🔥”
“🔥🔥🔥 grandmother was eloquent, assertive and on point!”
I don’t know who this granny is but she read her like a book as she should. I love to see us standing up for ourselves 👏🏽
Black Teenage boys need to feel protected! Great job Grandma!
“Keep this energy all lifetime long👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾”
“I don’t care what ANYONE SAYS… AUGUST is the new BLACK HISTORY MONTH cuz baaaaaaabyyyyyyyy ??? The way we showing up this month so far!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽”
“@walgreens are y’all investigating this? This manager needs to be investigated for racially profiling black children.”
A petition filed on change.org on August 12 has since called for firing the employee seen in the clip.
“This petition earnestly urges the prompt dismissal of the Walgreens employee responsible for this racially biased incident, alongside a sincere and public statement of apology from Walgreens…”
According to the website, the petition has garnered 286 signatures, with a goal of reaching 500. Additionally, it has listed the location of the Walgreens store where the incident reportedly occurred, with corporate phone numbers and emails to contact.
At the time of this report, The Shade Room’s Senior Editor, Jadriena Solomon, reached out to the store identified for comment. However, an employee shared “no comment” and instructed all phone calls to be directed to the corporate office.
The Shade Room’s Senior Editor emailed the corporate office for a statement, to which a Walgreens spokesperson named Kris Lathan has responded.
“This team member has been placed on leave while we investigate the incident. We believe everyone should be welcome and treated with respect at our stores. We take these matters seriously, and our policies strictly prohibit any form of discrimination or racial profiling, and any such incident will not be tolerated.”
Roomies, what do you think about this incident?
