Arrested For Being Black At Barney's, NYC

[youfiad]

Maybe they arrested him for spending 350$ on a belt. It's gotta be illegal to be that dumb, right?

 

[Passion4Muzik]

The Oprah thing is an interesting comparison. She thought her domination of American pop culture gave her some kind of elite entitlement in the world of European high fashion. Isn't that noble? But Oprah is a nobody in that world, and she was treated like any other nobody in that world. Oprah waddled into that store acting like she was a somebody! She walked in there thinking she was Grace Jones. And of course if Grace Jones had walked in, they would have shown her any handbag she wanted, and the owner would have been discretely called to come down from the office with champagne.

I disagree. Oprah in Switzerland wasn't the first time she has experienced that type of discrimination. She talked about how she was treated years ago in a Chicago store because the people didn't recognize her and assumed she couldn't afford the merchandise. There was also an incident in Paris when Oprah went to the Hermes store and wasn't let in. In Switzerland, the clerk refused to let her see a bag she asked to see assuming that she couldn't afford it. That has nothing to do with Oprah feeling entitled. When I walk into any place of business open to the public and ask to look at merchandise, it is not the clerk's job to determine based on prejudices whether or not I have the means to buy. Nothing should be assumed and the clerks are there to serve. Oprah added that she knew how snooty high end stores can be so her hair was done and she was dressed to the nines. Even that didn't save her from racial discrimination.

 

[Passion4Muzik]

Maybe not, but it is what it is. It is not being echoed as the experience of the average black shopper in Sears or Penneys where most of us live.

It is apparently not shocking from the other stories posted in the link. These high-end elitist retailers have a proven reputation of acting discriminatory.

This story isn't a debate, it's an incident. No one has defended the retailer -- there is no debate.

So far, the elite are not a named group in any of the anti-discrimination acts that protect civil rights. Rejecting conspicuous consumption isn't yet a contravention of human rights.

I don't necessarily agree with all of your points, but I appreciate your intelligence and thought-provoking commentary.

 

[pat grimshaw]

What's the latest?

Have the police released any CCTV?

 

[pat grimshaw]

^
Well it seems they haven't. Another unresolved story—

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...k-shoppers-racial-profiling-article-1.1542257