This store does racial profiling!
To whom it may concern. I have an eight year old little girl. LoHo in the Valencia location is her favorite store. We visit every time we come to the mall and purchase many items from the store. I am emailing you to call your attention to an incident which happened Tuesday, March 29, 2022 some time after 4pm. This incident was a clear case of racial profiling. As a parent of a black child, I am heartbroken, disappointed, and sickened that this happened. She is only eight years old and being subjected to the harshness of being black in America. Last Tuesday, I let my daughter go into the store by herself while I sat outside. She has been saving for a hat she wants and wanted to see if it was still there and browse other toys. She went in and out of the store to update me on items and how much they cost. She was deciding if she should spend her money or continue to save for the hat. Not too long after she left the store and was talking with me, a gentleman from the store approached us. I asked how I could help him. The worker told me my daughter had taken something from the store without paying. I told him my daughter was looking in the store but did not take anything. He responded by saying they have it on video. At that point, I took my daughter's bag and checked it right in front of him. He saw that she only had her small wallet and a pack of gum, nothing from the store. My daughter was being very respectful even though she was in tears from being accused of theft. She repeatedly said " Sir, I did not take anything from the store." At this point , the worker said he would like to show me the video even though we had already shown him that we had nothing from the store. We went to watch the video. I watched my daughter pick up a toy, check her wallet to count her money, and drop the toy back where she got it from before she left the store. The worker did apologize and gave her a toy. Then he gave excuses such as kids come in and take things making it a habit, and also saying his manager told him to get her. Children may do this, but my child did not. This is a store that attracts children and is your way of making money. It is very clear that my daughter was profiled. If the staff were watching the video, they would have seen that my daughter did nothing wrong. They saw a black child with a backpack/purse and assumed she stole and had no problem accusing her. There were many children in and out of the store at that time, yet my daughter was singled out and targeted. Racial profiling, especially in today's sensitive climate is unacceptable. Accusing any child of stealing is traumatic and not ok. If you are going to be watching people, you should fully watch before accusing. My daughter did not deserve this treatment. That day will forever change the way we feel when we walk in the mall and I have to explain to my daughter what happened. A small apology and a fidget toy does not make this right. This forced me to have many conversations with my daughter that children should not have to deal with. This is so disappointing on so many levels. You as individuals and as a store need to do better. All staff need training in cultural and racial sensitivity and laws regarding discrimination. We will no longer support your store. I know there is not much that can right this wrong with us. However, I am writing this review in hopes that this will not happen to another child.
Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
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