A black woman walked into a Fred Meyers grocery store for shampoo and conditioner and soon made a discovery that left her feeling uneasy: all the black haircare products were under lock and key.
Sade Rivers told KOIN she refused to buy anything after she saw the items in cases to avoid dealing with discrimination.
"Even if I was to ask for someone to open it, now will I be followed through the store?" Rivers asked. "Will they look at me and think, 'She is probably going to steal that, so let's keep an eye on her.'"
Rivers said this incident is why black people have to remain vigiliant in public spaces.
"As a black person, you are always taught you have to be aware how people look at you, what you say, what you wear, what you look like, because other people perceive you and will judge you based on a stereotype," she said.
A spokesperson for Fred Meyers, an Oregon-based grocery store chain now owned by Kroger, claimed the lockup had nothing to do with race and said the stores promote diversity.
“At Fred Meyer, we periodically review items that require additional security measures,” the spokesperson said. “Decisions about product access in our stores are data-driven. We are a company that welcomes every customer who walks in our door. Additionally, we train our associates to embrace diversity and inclusion and want to show respect to every customer and one another.”
Of course, as Blavity reported earlier this year, Walmart has taken fire for locking up black hair products, as well. Yahoo News notes CVS has also been accused of keeping items marketed toward black people under lock and key, too. Walmart was sued over the allegations in January.
Rivers said she will no longer shop at Fred Meyer.
"I understand they are a business, an organization," she said, "But when you are targeting a single race or ethnicity its not fair to everyone."
Now, check these out:
One Woman Is Calling Out Walmart For Locking Only Natural And Black Hair Products Behind Glass
