Disturbing Experience at Coco's Beauty…read more
Yesterday, my family and I had a truly distressing experience at Cocoa's Beauty on 103rd Street. While browsing the makeup section, my daughter was excited to show me some press-on nails she had found. I told her no and asked her to put them back. That's when things took a very unexpected turn.
I began to hear someone yelling, and after a moment, I realized the person was addressing us. It appeared to be one of the store owners. He accused my daughter of taking items from behind a locked display. I assured him that I didn't believe that was the case. I apologized and explained that my daughter, being a little girl, might not have understood where the item belonged. I placed the item back on the counter and continued to browse.
However, the situation escalated when the store owner began to antagonize me, repeatedly questioning me about the misplaced item and demanding that I do something about it. Feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome, I decided to leave the store with my children. Unfortunately, he followed us and continued to yell, claiming that I was attempting to steal his merchandise. In the chaos, I realized I was still holding a $5 blush set, and my daughter was holding a $6 hair product. My daughter, visibly scared, dropped the product, and I returned the blush to the counter.
At this point, the situation became more intense, with the store owner accusing me of trying to steal. I tried to explain that I hadn't processed everything he was saying due to the overwhelming situation, as my main concern was getting my children out of the store safely.
What's most heartbreaking is that my daughter spent the entire way home crying, asking what she had done wrong. I assured her she had done nothing wrong and reminded her of her worth as a loving, strong, and beautiful individual. No one should make her feel less than that, especially based on assumptions about her race.
This incident has left a lasting impact, and I feel compelled to speak out. We chose to move to a wonderful neighborhood, put our children in the best schools, and raise them to be respectful and kind. Yet, despite our best efforts, it's clear that certain prejudices still exist. Cocoa's Beauty is located in a predominantly Black neighborhood, and I am heartbroken by the way my family was treated, especially considering the support this community gives to the business.
I am urging others to consider boycotting this store--not just for my family, but for anyone who values respect and fairness. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, regardless of their background or appearance. Please choose businesses that show genuine care for their customers, where you and your family will feel safe, valued, and appreciated.
Thank you for taking the time to read my experience.