This is a long but important thread about my experience as an #AfricanNovaScotian woman who was #raciallyprofiled this afternoon at #TheSource store in #Elmsdale, #EastHants #NovaScotia.
An open letter to #TheSource, Elmsdale location, please tell your staff that consumer racial profiling based on a person’s colour is a violation of the #NovaScotiaHumanRightsAct.
After searching various stores online this afternoon, I went to the Source to purchase a new Canon printer because I always purchase ink here and have always received great customer service.
However, today I did not.
When I first walked in the door, one employee immediately approached me and asked if I needed assistance. I told him no that I was just browsing.
When I first walked in the door, one employee immediately approached me and asked if I needed assistance. I told him no that I was just browsing.
When I went to the back of the tiny store to look at the printers that were on sale, this same employee saw fit to follow me and watch me my every move from just around the corner.
I asked him the price of the ink for one of the printers I was looking at. He asked me what the ink numbers were. I said they should be on the box. He told me the ink prices and then returned to his little peeking station.
As I moved over to the next printers that were the same sale price, he moved again right behind me keeping a watchful eye. He was pretending to be cleaning the shelves with a small tissue or cloth while monitoring me.
left the store without buying a printer. Once I got in the parking lot, I decided to go back inside the store and ask to speak to a manager.
Another male employee told me there was no manager on duty.
I relayed to the three employees, who all looked white, that I was racially profiled during my entire time in the store because I am Black.
I relayed to the three employees, who all looked white, that I was racially profiled during my entire time in the store because I am Black.
The employee that racially profiled me piped up and said that he is an immigrant (he presents as white) and took offence to being called a racist.
stopped him right there and told him that my experience as an African Nova Scotian and his experience as an immigrant are not the same because as Black people we are racially profiled in stores ALL THE TIME and that it needs to stop.
He again said he is not a racist.
The second employee then said that they “have been instructed by management to shadow all customers because we have been shoplifted.”
The second employee then said that they “have been instructed by management to shadow all customers because we have been shoplifted.”
I looked at him and asked, “Do you really think I am going to walk out of the store with a printer?” I never picked up ANY item the entire time I was in this store.
Again, he said that they do this to all customers. I told them that I shop at this store often and have never been treated this way by other employees and that I will never step foot inside their store again. This employee then told me to “have a nice day.”
I am so sick and tired of this crap. Being racially discriminated against is so upsetting.
Believe me, this is not our imagination! We know when we are being racially profiled. I felt it today in the pit of my stomach.
Believe me, this is not our imagination! We know when we are being racially profiled. I felt it today in the pit of my stomach.
@BellMediaPR, I cannot find any contact information for your corporate office online but would like you to address this incident.
UPDATE: I spoke to a manager filling in for the local manager at The Source in Elmsdale and The Source’s corporate security investigator. I received apologies from both and my complaint will be further investigated.
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