Imagine doing a little bargain hunting on a Sunday evening and suddenly hearing this come over the PA system:
“Attention, Wal-Mart customers: All black people, leave the store now.”
This is exactly what happened to shoppers at a Wal-Mart in Washington Township, NJ last Sunday evening. The store manager immediately gained control of the PA and apologized for the message, but patrons remain disturbed and angry.
Wal-Mart is still currently investigating the incident and has responded: “Whoever did this is just wrong and acted in an inappropriate manner. Clearly, this is completely unacceptable to us and to our customers.”
This is yet another bullet point on a long list of racially-related allegations against the major retailer. Last year a scuffle that started with a young woman cutting in line at a Minnesota Walmart is said to have been racially-motivated. In 2009 Walmart also had to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit brought by a group of black truck drivers who claimed they were denied employment due to their race. And once again, in May 2009, latino employees at a Sam’s Club in Fresno sued the company, saying they had to endure a hostile work environment.
(This blogger hasn’t shopped at a Wal-Mart in years. Do you need a list of reasons to know why?)
Sound off please. Do these kind of stories make you want to make more thoughtful choices about where you shop or is this just the work of one solitary prankster?
I think society is too thin skinned. Sure customers shouldnt have easy access to the intercom but that person shouldn’t have messed with the phone.
The ‘race card’ is getting worn and wrinkled like my 45 year old social security card. The political correctness is also getting old. How about the ‘opressed races’ do something original like ignore childish pranks like the other grownups do.
I hear “Racial discrimination” or “hate crime” and I roll my eyes because it has become a joke blown out of proportion by thin skinned whiners that didn’t get enough attention from their parents growing up.
I have to go now, I’m going shopping at Walmart. Ciao!