My name is Rita Limar. Although this letter most certainly includes a complaint, please understand that the actual purpose of this letter is to make you aware that your associate's practices are contributing to a much larger problem. This problem has so permeated our society that the victims simply consider it an unfortunate societal norm. Understandably, one may read this letter and attribute it to the complaints of a person who is overly sensitive about racial issues and therefore finds cause to complain at any given moment, however, this is not the case. I am not litigious nor am I a complainer, I simply saw a problem and would like it corrected.
On Saturday March 18th 2017 at approximately 8:30PM I, with my mother, visited Francesca's in Hollywood at Universal City Walk. As it was Saturday night, my mother and I decided it would be fun to visit the various shops at City Walk and have dessert. Our intentions were innocent. Upon passing Francesca's I remembered that I had a positive experience a few years ago at the Glendale Galleria location. I encouraged my mother to go into the store with me and look around. Please note, my mother, having more experience than me, knew that having her sweater on in the store would raise suspicion as to her intentions in the store, so she took it off before entering. Approximately 5 minutes into us being in the store an associate, whose name I am not certain of, approached my mother and I and politely asked if we were looking for anything specific. I thought nothing of this question, especially because she asked another couple a few feet away from us the same question shortly after her engagement with us.
I cannot recall how long my mother and I were in the store, but it most certainly could not have been any longer than 15 minutes. At around 8:40 we decided to leave the store. Near the entrance there is a sunglass display. Before leaving we stopped to look at the sunglasses. We had not been looking at the glasses very long when the next associate Cami approached us and asked for my name. I thought this odd, but still replied. After giving her my name she then said proceeded to tell me that the sunglasses were 2 for $20.00. I would have appreciated this information; however, the sign was visible to me as I was right in front of it. Even after I thanked her for telling me how much the glasses were, she still stood next to me, quietly, with her hands folded smiling. Realizing that she had no intention of moving on, I turned my head and asked if there was anything else she needed to tell me. She then began looking around for something to say to justify her still standing there watching me. She, thinking quickly, pointed to a rack of clothes next to both of us and quoted the price to me. My mother, realizing that we were being watched, quietly left the store because she was insulted. I however stayed, as I was flabbergasted that the associate Cami was blatantly refusing to give me space to shop unattended.
I did not realize that my mother had gone until I looked up. I said to myself, "oh my mom left", to which Cami (who was still next to me), replied, "yeah, she just walked out". I then told Cami that my mother "probably left because she was insulted that you're standing her watching us as if we're doing something wrong". She seemed very surprised by this, but not surprised enough to walk away and give me room to shop unattended. I continued by saying that "I [was] also very insulted that I'm being treated as if I'm going to steal something." She then seemed to realize how her actions were being perceived. I too left the store.
Please understand this letter is not a complaint only directed toward Cami. Her actions, I'm certain, reflect her training. My mother and I are black women who went into your store to do exactly what thousands of people do every day, browse. My mother had the presence of mind to take off her sweater because she didn't want to be perceived as a thief wearing bulky clothing. I dare say there's an entire race of people who have never had to consider that they may be perceived and pre-judged that way. This country is filled with people who do not have to take extra precautions so they are not viewed as shoplifters. This country is also filled with many races of people who do. Cami is not the problem. A company who allows their employs to believe they're doing the right thing by shadowing "high risk" customers is the problem. Those "high risk" customers are being pre-judged and in the case of my mother and I, incorrectly so. read more