Earlier this week, a black man from Iowa accused employees at the West Des Moines Old Navy of racial profiling after they refused to believe he was the owner of his jacket. He walked in the store with his jacket on but the manager claimed that “anytime someone wears Old Navy clothing they have to always scan that customer’s clothing to ensure that it was previously purchased.”
“I was accused that I didn’t pay for my blue bubble jacket that I got for Christmas that I wore into the store. As I was checking out to purchase some hoodies, I was asked if I wanted to also purchase the jacket that I was wearing,” he shared on Facebook. “First, I started laughing because I didn’t believe what I was hearing. The store manager Beau Carter was very unprofessional and stereotyped me because I was a Black male.”
After the workers tried to scan the jacket, they asked if he wanted to repay for it. After he refused, they checked the surveillance footage and realized he was wearing the jacket when he entered the store. “Once she confirmed that I was telling the truth (after watching the tape) she never came back out to apologize to me nor did the store manager Beau Carter as you can see in my videos below,” he said.
Well, now Old Navy has issued a public apology on Facebook. “The situation was a violation of our policies and values, and we apologize to both Mr. Conley and to those we’ve disappointed. All of our customers deserve to be treated with respect.” Following a thorough investigation of the incident, three employees who were involved have been terminated. We take this matter – and every conversation around equality – very seriously.”
They added, “Old Navy is committed to ensuring that our stores are an environment where everyone feels welcome.”
TSR STAFF: Myeisha E.! @myeisha.essex on IG
