News Attention Walmart Customers: All Black people leave the store now

ModSocks · 03-18-2010, 02:29 PM

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Black-...19349.html?x=0

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) -- A Walmart store announcement ordering black people to leave brought chagrin and apologies Wednesday from leaders of the company, which has built a fragile trust among minority communities.

A male voice came over the public-address system Sunday evening at a store in Washington Township, in southern New Jersey, and calmly announced: "Attention, Walmart customers: All black people, leave the store now."

Shoppers in the store at the time said a manager quickly got on the public-address system and apologized for the remark. And while it was unclear whether a rogue patron or an employee was responsible for the comment, many customers expressed their anger to store management.

"I want to know why such statements are being made, because it flies in the face of what we teach our children about tolerance for all," said Sheila Ellington, who was in the store at the time with a friend. "If this was meant to be a prank, there's only one person laughing, and it's not either one of us."

Ellington, of Monroe, and her friend Patricia Covington said they plan to boycott the retailer until they're assured the issue has been addressed so it doesn't happen again.

The pair said they were stunned when they heard the announcement and initially believed they had misheard it. But once the words sank in, they grew angry.

"I depended on Walmart for all my needs, because the store has pretty much everything you could want," Covington said. "But until this issue is addressed in a way I'm comfortable with, I can't walk through those doors again."

Officials with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., said that the announcement was "unacceptable" and that they're trying to determine who made it and how it happened.

"We are just as appalled by this incident as our customers," the company said in a statement. "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 not the first time the retailer has faced such problems.

There have been several past instances of black customers claiming they were treated unfairly at Walmart stores, and the company faced lawsuits alleging that women were passed over in favor of men for pay raises and promotions.

In February 2009, the retailer paid $17.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in its hiring of truck drivers.

And the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the company in May 2009, claiming some Hispanic employees at a Sam's Club subsidiary in California were subjected to a hostile work environment. That suit alleges managers failed to stop repeated verbal harassment, including the use of derogatory words, against employees of Mexican descent.

However, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has said the company has worked hard in recent years to show it cares about diversity.

Bill Mitchell, a former Walmart employee who was shopping Wednesday at the store, said that he was saddened to hear about the announcement but that "as a black man, I've heard worse things."

As customer Sharon Osbourne, of Williamstown, left the store Wednesday, she called the announcement "appalling, stupid and sad."

Frazod · 03-18-2010, 02:37 PM

I heard about this yesterday - what a stupid non-story. It was either some minimum wage dumbass employee or a dumbass customer who found a way to access the PA system.

It's not like there aren't enough legitmate reason to hate on Walmart without drumming up fake outrage.

Hammock Parties · 03-18-2010, 02:37 PM

Is it wrong that I feel like laughing every time black people get upset about stupid bullshit like this?

FAX · 03-18-2010, 02:39 PM

If I were at Wal-Mart and there came over the loudspeakers an announcement requesting that all white people leave the store, I would get the hell out fast.

FAX

Deberg_1990 · 03-18-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I heard about this yesterday - what a stupid non-story. It was either some minimum wage dumbass employee or a dumbass customer who found a way to access the PA system.

It's not like there aren't enough legitmate reason to hate on Walmart without drumming up fake outrage.

Yes, this...

I hope Wal Mart doesnt get a black eye for this....but you know they will.

**The Franchise** · 03-18-2010, 02:39 PM

I see Hootie has been busy.

InChiefsHeaven · 03-18-2010, 02:40 PM

Come on, it's obviously some **** stick patron thinking he's funny.

Halfcan · 03-18-2010, 02:43 PM

when I worked there as a kid you could code six any announcment- it was great hearing every announcment cut short. We used to wreck havoc on that store with silly crap.

**The Franchise** · 03-18-2010, 02:44 PM

Quote:

"I depended on Walmart for all my needs, because the store has pretty much everything you could want," Covington said. "But until this issue is addressed in a way I'm comfortable with, I can't walk through those doors again."

Really? So that means you'll just go to the Wal-Mart on the other side of the town then.

**DaFace** · 03-18-2010, 02:46 PM

It's not exactly hard to get on a store's intercom system. Probably just some kid.

**Bane** · 03-18-2010, 02:50 PM

Kinda puts walmart behind the 8 ball.Honestly its fuggn stupid to be pissed at walmart because some idiot doesn't know how to act.
Posted via Mobile Device

Chiefnj2 · 03-18-2010, 02:52 PM

"Shoppers in the store at the time said a manager quickly got on the public-address system and apologized for the remark."

End of story.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 03-18-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I heard about this yesterday - what a stupid non-story. It was either some minimum wage dumbass employee or a dumbass customer who found a way to access the PA system.

It's not like there aren't enough legitmate reason to hate on Walmart without drumming up fake outrage.

Just close the thread. This is the only response necessary.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 03-18-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

Is it wrong that I feel like laughing every time black people get upset about stupid bullshit like this?

Hey, I'm one of the first people around here to raise the racism flag when it needs to be. That said, I do laugh anytime someone tries to find an excuse to hold up their victim flag. I don't ****in' care who it is.

**Bane** · 03-18-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Just close the thread. This is the only response necessary.

Rep. Oh fukk I'm on my Mobile!!!!Goddamnit!!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

03-18-2010, 02:29 PM
ModSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $4294563	Attention Walmart Customers: All Black people leave the store now http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Black-...19349.html?x=0 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) -- A Walmart store announcement ordering black people to leave brought chagrin and apologies Wednesday from leaders of the company, which has built a fragile trust among minority communities. A male voice came over the public-address system Sunday evening at a store in Washington Township, in southern New Jersey, and calmly announced: "Attention, Walmart customers: All black people, leave the store now." Shoppers in the store at the time said a manager quickly got on the public-address system and apologized for the remark. And while it was unclear whether a rogue patron or an employee was responsible for the comment, many customers expressed their anger to store management. "I want to know why such statements are being made, because it flies in the face of what we teach our children about tolerance for all," said Sheila Ellington, who was in the store at the time with a friend. "If this was meant to be a prank, there's only one person laughing, and it's not either one of us." Ellington, of Monroe, and her friend Patricia Covington said they plan to boycott the retailer until they're assured the issue has been addressed so it doesn't happen again. The pair said they were stunned when they heard the announcement and initially believed they had misheard it. But once the words sank in, they grew angry. "I depended on Walmart for all my needs, because the store has pretty much everything you could want," Covington said. "But until this issue is addressed in a way I'm comfortable with, I can't walk through those doors again." Officials with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., said that the announcement was "unacceptable" and that they're trying to determine who made it and how it happened. "We are just as appalled by this incident as our customers," the company said in a statement. "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 not the first time the retailer has faced such problems. There have been several past instances of black customers claiming they were treated unfairly at Walmart stores, and the company faced lawsuits alleging that women were passed over in favor of men for pay raises and promotions. In February 2009, the retailer paid $17.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in its hiring of truck drivers. And the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued the company in May 2009, claiming some Hispanic employees at a Sam's Club subsidiary in California were subjected to a hostile work environment. That suit alleges managers failed to stop repeated verbal harassment, including the use of derogatory words, against employees of Mexican descent. However, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has said the company has worked hard in recent years to show it cares about diversity. Bill Mitchell, a former Walmart employee who was shopping Wednesday at the store, said that he was saddened to hear about the announcement but that "as a black man, I've heard worse things." As customer Sharon Osbourne, of Williamstown, left the store Wednesday, she called the announcement "appalling, stupid and sad."
Posts: 64,291

03-18-2010, 02:37 PM	#2
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3145085	I heard about this yesterday - what a stupid non-story. It was either some minimum wage dumbass employee or a dumbass customer who found a way to access the PA system. It's not like there aren't enough legitmate reason to hate on Walmart without drumming up fake outrage.
Posts: 119,484

03-18-2010, 02:37 PM	#3
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4730478	Is it wrong that I feel like laughing every time black people get upset about stupid bullshit like this? __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,765

03-18-2010, 02:39 PM	#4
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	If I were at Wal-Mart and there came over the loudspeakers an announcement requesting that all white people leave the store, I would get the hell out fast. FAX
Posts: 44,492

03-18-2010, 02:39 PM	#6
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3125047	I see Hootie has been busy.
Posts: 92,084

03-18-2010, 02:40 PM	#7
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $3894937	Come on, it's obviously some **** stick patron thinking he's funny. __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 25,726

03-18-2010, 02:43 PM	#8
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	when I worked there as a kid you could code six any announcment- it was great hearing every announcment cut short. We used to wreck havoc on that store with silly crap.
Posts: 43,200

03-18-2010, 02:46 PM	#10
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2046899	It's not exactly hard to get on a store's intercom system. Probably just some kid.
Posts: 51,756

03-18-2010, 02:50 PM	#11
Bane C.H.I.E.F.S Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: **** your face Casino cash: $10005055	Kinda puts walmart behind the 8 ball.Honestly its fuggn stupid to be pissed at walmart because some idiot doesn't know how to act. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 12,621

03-18-2010, 02:52 PM	#12
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7883688	"Shoppers in the store at the time said a manager quickly got on the public-address system and apologized for the remark." End of story. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
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