Manhattan Apple Store Accused of Discrimination - Blu-ray Forum

linkgx1 · 05-26-2011, 07:00 PM

I'm not sure if this shoudl be in the weird news section.

Plaintiffs Brian Johnston, 34, and Nile Charles, 25, have accused Apple of discrimination after an incident they claim occurred on Dec. 9, 2010. Both Johnston and Charles went to the store at 1981 Broadway when the incident allegedly began with an Apple employee, said to be white and in his 50s.

The lawsuit notes that Charles and Johnston, who are black, went to the Broadway Apple store wearing "baggy jeans and large sweaters with hoods" to purchase headphones. It was around 3:20 p.m., they claim, that the Apple employee, about 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, confronted them.

The lawsuit alleges that the Apple employee approached the customers in an "intimidating fashion," invading their "personal space," and said to them, "You know the deal. You know the deal."

The employee allegedly told the plaintiffs that they must leave the store unless they planned to purchase something or see a Mac Specialist. Johnston and Charles claim that before they could respond, the Apple employee told them they were not welcome there because of their race.

"And before you say I'm racially discriminating against you, let me stop you. I am discriminating against you," the lawsuit claims the employee said. "I don't want 'your kind' hanging out in the store."

Johnston and Charles say they were "shocked and humiliated" by the alleged incident. They reportedly used their cell phones to record the confrontation when they say another Apple Store employee approached them.

"Now you have to go," one of the employees is claimed in the lawsuit to have said. "If you want to know why, it's because I said so. CONSIDER ME GOD. You have to go."

More after the jump.

Please discuss kindly.

I'm not sure what to think of this case. I just had no idea someone can kick you out because of the way you dress. I just hope they enforce this rule for all customers.

They should have expected this. I mean, they are going into an Apple Store after.

Hammie · 05-26-2011, 07:26 PM

It sounds crazy, but I would like to see the video they made of the incident.

I know there have a been a few times where where the Apple security guard has approached me because of my bag, or an employee gets a little too close when talking to me. I'd be interested to see and hear the outcome of this incident. If they were justified, good for them. If they were not, shame on them.

ArmyOfDarknessAW · 05-26-2011, 07:32 PM

I will believe it happened like that when i see this cell phone video. People always try to embellish what happened and i am sure the plaintiffs are doing that here. I have no doubt that an Apple employee approached them to kick them out based on what they are wearing (which is wrong in its own right) but i just don't think it went down quite like the article says.

linkgx1 · 05-26-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammie

It sounds crazy, but I would like to see the video they made of the incident.

I know there have a been a few times where where the Apple security guard has approached me because of my bag, or an employee gets a little too close when talking to me. I'd be interested to see and hear the outcome of this incident. If they were justified, good for them. If they were not, shame on them.

Exactly. Several people have said the "if it walks like a duck" argument. I could agree. I mean, I'd be scared if someone wore all blue and had "crypt" on their shirt. But does that mean they can discrimnate Muslims? Priests? I know everyone has a right to have a certain enviorment. But unless that is posted somewhere, I don't see the point of kicking someone out.

linkgx1 · 05-26-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmyOfDarknessAW

I will believe it happened like that when i see this cell phone video. People always try to embellish what happened and i am sure the plaintiffs are doing that here. I have no doubt that an Apple employee approached them to kick them out based on what they are wearing (which is wrong in its own right) but i just don't think it went down quite like the article says.

The fact that the Apple employee allegedly said "I AM A GOD" just doesn't seem right. He would have though Mr. Jobs was God!

Tom Hiddleston · 05-26-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkgx1

The fact that the Apple employee allegedly said "I AM A GOD" just doesn't seem right. He would have though Mr. Jobs was God!

You mean he's not?

linkgx1 · 05-26-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenris

You mean he's not?

No. I hope I didn't dissapoint. Don't kill me!

PrivatePixel · 05-26-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammie

It sounds crazy, but I would like to see the video they made of the incident.

Agreed. YouTube video or it didn't happen.

Personally, I hate the snooty attitude of the CSRs at the Apple store.

linkgx1 · 05-26-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

Agreed. YouTube video or it didn't happen.

Personally, I hate the snooty attitude of the CSRs at the Apple store.

They are. Don't you DARE mention another product. They took videos though. Which makes it really weird when an incident like that happens. It's like recording an accident on your phone before it happens-very rarely.

Tom Hiddleston · 05-26-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkgx1

No. I hope I didn't dissapoint. Don't kill me!

Ahh that's alright.

If he really was God then he could make the iPhone battery last for a while longer.

Tom Hiddleston · 05-26-2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkgx1

They are. Don't you DARE mention another product. They took videos though. Which makes it really weird when an incident like that happens. It's like recording an accident on your phone before it happens-very rarely.

Motorola Xoom.

Wingman1977 · 05-26-2011, 08:03 PM

Wow, and that store is not even a year old (I went there about a week ago to buy a 10ft long USB cable for my iphone).

PrivatePixel · 05-26-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkgx1

They are. Don't you DARE mention another product. They took videos though. Which makes it really weird when an incident like that happens. It's like recording an accident on your phone before it happens-very rarely.

If that's the case, I'm surprised that the Apple employee(s) didn't attempt to confiscate their phones, on the grounds that 'any recordings made on private property weren't permitted' or some other hackneyed reason. The question is whether the employee was aware (or not) that s/he was being recorded.

technique · 05-26-2011, 08:06 PM

::Pictures Jesse Jackson getting involved and them winning millions from suing Apple::

linkgx1 · 05-26-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenris

Motorola Xoom.

Oh, lord! That's an embarrasment! It's the worst just among Android!

PrivatePixel · 05-26-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technique

::Pictures Jesse Jackson getting involved and them winning millions from suing Apple::

I think you need Johnnie Cochran for that.

linkgx1 · 05-26-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

If that's the case, I'm surprised that the Apple employee(s) didn't attempt to confiscate their phones, on the grounds that 'any recordings made on private property weren't permitted' or some other hackneyed reason. The question is whether the employee was aware (or not) that s/he was being recorded.

Good point. Haven't throught about that yet.

Tom Hiddleston · 05-26-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkgx1

Oh, lord! That's an embarrasment! It's the worst just among Android!

That's what I hear.

Rob71 · 05-26-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

If that's the case, I'm surprised that the Apple employee(s) didn't attempt to confiscate their phones, on the grounds that 'any recordings made on private property weren't permitted' or some other hackneyed reason. The question is whether the employee was aware (or not) that s/he was being recorded.

A security guard at Wal-mart caught me taking a picture of their Blu-rays(I was e-mailing them to a buddy for him to choose which ones he wanted) and told me he needed my phone. I laughed in his face and said he was welcome to try and take it if he felt like it. He told me to leave the premises and as I turned my back on him I told him I had some more shopping to do, but if he needed to force the issue, we could involve the store manager and possibly my lawyer. He and another guard eyeballed me, but they didn't bother me again. When I was leaving the store, I noticed they were following me out. I turned around and snapped their pic.

Rob71 · 05-26-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

I think you need Johnnie Cochran for that.

And a ouija board.

05-26-2011, 07:00 PM	#1
linkgx1 Banned Member since:Feb 2011 Location:Saint Louis, MO	Manhattan Apple Store Accused of Discrimination I'm not sure if this shoudl be in the weird news section. Plaintiffs Brian Johnston, 34, and Nile Charles, 25, have accused Apple of discrimination after an incident they claim occurred on Dec. 9, 2010. Both Johnston and Charles went to the store at 1981 Broadway when the incident allegedly began with an Apple employee, said to be white and in his 50s. The lawsuit notes that Charles and Johnston, who are black, went to the Broadway Apple store wearing "baggy jeans and large sweaters with hoods" to purchase headphones. It was around 3:20 p.m., they claim, that the Apple employee, about 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, confronted them. The lawsuit alleges that the Apple employee approached the customers in an "intimidating fashion," invading their "personal space," and said to them, "You know the deal. You know the deal." The employee allegedly told the plaintiffs that they must leave the store unless they planned to purchase something or see a Mac Specialist. Johnston and Charles claim that before they could respond, the Apple employee told them they were not welcome there because of their race. "And before you say I'm racially discriminating against you, let me stop you. I am discriminating against you," the lawsuit claims the employee said. "I don't want 'your kind' hanging out in the store." Johnston and Charles say they were "shocked and humiliated" by the alleged incident. They reportedly used their cell phones to record the confrontation when they say another Apple Store employee approached them. "Now you have to go," one of the employees is claimed in the lawsuit to have said. "If you want to know why, it's because I said so. CONSIDER ME GOD. You have to go." More after the jump. Please discuss kindly. I'm not sure what to think of this case. I just had no idea someone can kick you out because of the way you dress. I just hope they enforce this rule for all customers. They should have expected this. I mean, they are going into an Apple Store after.

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05-26-2011, 07:26 PM	#2
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	It sounds crazy, but I would like to see the video they made of the incident. I know there have a been a few times where where the Apple security guard has approached me because of my bag, or an employee gets a little too close when talking to me. I'd be interested to see and hear the outcome of this incident. If they were justified, good for them. If they were not, shame on them.

05-26-2011, 07:32 PM	#3
ArmyOfDarknessAW Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2010 Location:Moosic, PA Home Theater Gallery:21 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:64	I will believe it happened like that when i see this cell phone video. People always try to embellish what happened and i am sure the plaintiffs are doing that here. I have no doubt that an Apple employee approached them to kick them out based on what they are wearing (which is wrong in its own right) but i just don't think it went down quite like the article says.

05-26-2011, 08:03 PM	#12
Wingman1977 Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Mar 2008 Location:The empire state Trading Score:23	Wow, and that store is not even a year old (I went there about a week ago to buy a 10ft long USB cable for my iphone).

05-26-2011, 08:06 PM	#14
technique Power Member Member since:Sep 2010 Location:Cincinnati Home Theater Gallery:16 4K collection:2 Blu-ray collection:397	::Pictures Jesse Jackson getting involved and them winning millions from suing Apple::

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