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Black Customer Racially Profiled In High End Store | What Would You Do? | WWYD

Apr 09, 2020
Over the past ten seasons, our hidden cameras have captured some unforgettable answers to the question, "What

would

you do?" It's time to celebrate some of our favorite moments on this Flashback Friday. Another

black

shopper accusing the NYPD of racial profiling says police handcuffed him after using his credit card in a very embarrassing way. I felt very humiliated. It happens too often. African Americans: Followed, interrogated, and even accused of stealing. Simply because of the color of his skin. There are very few African American men in this country who have not had the experience of being followed while shopping at a department

store

.
black customer racially profiled in high end store what would you do wwyd
That includes me. Today we will settle in Sarar, a luxury clothing and suit

store

in the heart of Wall Street. Gabriel is an actor who plays the profile of a

customer

while shopping for clothes. That belt costs $150 dollars. Thank you. If you were shopping here and heard this: you are in the wrong store. We don't sell urban clothing here. This is Wall Street, it's not Harlem. What

would

you do? Well, we're bringing a 250 million dollar shark! Someone who knows a little about fashion and

what

it's like to be

profiled

. I hated it! I'm out. That's how it is!
black customer racially profiled in high end store what would you do wwyd

More Interesting Facts About,

black customer racially profiled in high end store what would you do wwyd...

Damon John, founder of Fubu clothing, investors, Shark Tank. He sits with me behind the scenes to see how this all plays out. Hello. Hey how are you? Hello. Sir, is there something he's looking for? Uhh... I'm looking at jackets right now. You know it's a $600 jacket. Good? Well. Alright. I just want to let you know. Right off the bat, our salesman makes things... awkward. Sir, we have many cameras throughout the store. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of that. I just want to make sure it doesn't bother anyone here. They are fine? Why would he be bothering us?
black customer racially profiled in high end store what would you do wwyd
I just wanted to be sure. No... I want to make sure the client is safe. Well, I would rather dedicate my time and attention to women like you who can obviously afford to buy clothes from this store. How do you know he can't afford anything? But I don't even have a job. She does not. She is in Medical School and I am a housewife. You have a Louis Vuitton bag. You guys have... I mean, honestly. You probably have more money than us if you're looking at $600 jackets. I really doubt it. Crystal Harrison is incredulous. And then, our salesman makes it very clear.
black customer racially profiled in high end store what would you do wwyd
I mean, 9 times out of 10, if someone steals something, it's

black

. Well? I mean, that's pretty much how it works. It's not racist! It's just... it's just the facts. Well? It's not about racism. You watch the news, I mean... He's not bothering us. Well. You're bothering us more than he is. She said, "You're bothering us more than she is." Aren't you being rude to him? What if he's like a celebrity? He caught my attention that you were laughing throughout the entire process. Well, because I felt so uncomfortable that I had no idea

what

to do. It was a nervous laugh.
Yes, I'm still very nervous. We're at it again with Damon John riding shotgun. And what he sees does not surprise him. I really don't think we have anything that would interest you, sir. We have a very... classic and gentlemanly appearance. I don't know what that means but... I'm just going to look at a suit, okay? I received a credit card. I can pay for this. Do you have a credit card? I have a credit card. I want to see it? Here you have. We do not accept stolen credit cards, sir. Come on man, why do you think they stole my credit card?
Not a word. Even when our seller involves security. I'm going to have to pat you down. I don't believe this man. This is bad. Sir, we need you to take off your jacket. Well? Is this legal? Yes, it is legal. I didn't do anything, I just looked at the clothes. We have to protect our merchandise. We have to protect the merchandise in the store. Clearly, Gabriel is not receiving any help from our seller. So, he approaches the next woman for advice. Excuse me, may I know her opinion? This looks good? Is he... bothering you? I do not feel it.
Does it work with the hoodie? No. But again, our salesman is there; thinking and saying the worst about Gabriel. Sir, can I take a look inside that jacket? Because? This is... I feel like you put something in that jacket. Can you pat him down and make sure he doesn't have... So far, no one seems to object to this public and embarrassing pat-down? That is until her husband, Raúl Sigara, steps forward. I don't want to pry or anything, but, you know, I live in Europe, so... I mean... This would never happen in Europe. You cannot create a profile based on someone's appearance.
Wow. No, I wasn't profiling anyone. No, what I'm saying is, how can anyone draw conclusions based on color or, you know, appearance and things like that? I mean, 9 times out of 10 when someone steals something, it looks like it. Raúl is left speechless. Are you saying I was wrong? Oh yeah. Definitely. But his wife is just getting started. So was she making you uncomfortable? He looks like someone who would be robbed... No, he doesn't! Because he is black? You are racist? Before he gives us any proof, it's time to introduce ourselves. Then you realize right away and whisper to your husband that I said, "I just want to leave." Immediately?
Yes. She wasn't far from slapping you. Until now, Damon has just been watching our scenario unfold. Alright, Damon will prepare for his next scene. But what if he jumps in right away? Alright, how do I look? With the help of a disguise, this billionaire is about to emerge. Just... give me a second to check your jacket. What do you mean check my jacket? Now we need... Security! The next man notices but doesn't say a word. What do you mean? Well, now Damon, like Gabriel before him, is in the middle of the store being stopped, harassed, and frisked.
I'm pretty sure I saw you put something in your pocket. I just stayed here. I just came in. Give him a quick pat-down and let's make sure he didn't take anything. Well? It could be worth the GDP of a small country and still no one intervenes. So we sent our shark back to the tank one last time. Sir, do you have any idea how much this store costs? I mean, things are very expensive here. I mean, it's a very tall shop. These are mainly Wall Street bankers. I, uh... Okay, I mean, I, uh, I understand. I...
The next man just can't turn around. Seeing people who look like you, coming in and, you know, I mean, you make people feel uncomfortable here. Why would you tell him that? You're just not the type of client we have. I mean, just look at him. Yeah, but I was hanging around, I took a phone call... I mean, I don't normally get involved in people's business, but it's a decision you make based on someone's appearance. I have delayed even longer. You know, you're dressed very well. I think you are being totally inappropriate. I'm sorry you feel that way, but I...
Well, I think you should apologize to him. I think you should mind your own business. I can respect that, but at the same time, when you see injustice being done, like what you're doing now, people have to step up. Do you feel safe with a guy who looks like that? I feel less confident based on your comments right now. I think the way you're approaching it makes me feel insecure because it's full of prejudice. I think it's full of a lot of prejudices and I think you guys should get involved with it. I think it's... What would you do?
How are you friend? Oh man! Are you serious? It's 'What would you do?' Are you OK? I'm a good man, I'm getting a little hot here! Did the fact that you're African-American have anything to do with that? Of course, I have been subject to discrimination. Of course. It's hard to escape it in New York or anywhere else. If I'm not dressed like that, if I have my basketball cap on and I walk into a store, it's the same kind of thing. And you can be wrong about who that person is! Absolutely. It could be me!
The guy who is ready and storms the store, dressed or undressed. Or that guy could have a lot of money. Absolutely. Have you heard of Shark Tank? Absolutely. Do you know Damon John? I thought it was Damon! I said, "This looks like... this is what I said... Yeah! I thought that at first. Nice to meet you, man. It was great meeting you. You really stood for good right there. You didn't accept it at all." You just jumped right in. In other words, don't judge a person by his color because very often you could be wrong.

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