A new lawsuit accuses employees at an Apple Store in New York City of telling two black men that they were unwelcome in the store, in no uncertain terms.
The lawsuit alleges that both men, wearing "baggy jeans and large sweaters with hoods," went into the store in the afternoon to buy headphones when they were confronted by a white Apple employee, who came up to the men in an "intimidating fashion" and said, "You know the deal. You know the deal."
The plaintiffs, Brian Johnston, 34, and Nile Charles, 25, say the employee asked them to leave unless they planned to shop or see a Mac specialist. Before either could respond, they claim that he told them they were not welcome in the store because of their race.
"And before you say I'm racially discriminating against you, let me stop you. I am discriminating against you," the employee allegedly said. "I don't want 'your kind' hanging out in the store."
According to the suit, the two men were "shocked and humiliated" and used a cellphone to record what occurred. They are seeking punitive damages based on emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of life.
Unfortunately for the plaintiffs, who were humiliated, and for Apple, which will be held responsible for his behavior, the employee in this case (Mr. "You know the deal") sounds like he's every bit as mentally unstable as he is racist. On the other hand, it will probably work in the men's favor — discrimination cases would be a lot easier to prove if everyone were this honest about his motivations.
Read more at the Huffington Post.
In other news: At First Black High School, Throwback Track Uniforms Provide Modesty.