August 2021 by Rachael B.
On August 14 at around 10am I went into the Walgreens and I was on a mission to find a tide stick because of the stain on my shirt I got from getting a spray tan next door. I also had my purse on my wrist so it wouldn't smudge my tan if I had it across my chest and shoulder.When I entered the building, I noticed a change in everyone's demeanor when they saw me walk in. I am pacific islander so I am used to people looking at me weird since I am not white.I first went to the laundry isle to check for a tide stick and I didn't see one. I turned around and I then picked up dog treat bag that had fell on the floor and put them back on a shelf. I then went to the restroom. While in the restroom two associates came in talking about something but I couldn't understand what they were saying. When I was done, I was about to wash my hands and one of the employees was still in there and said that she wasn't sure how to put the soap in the soap dispenser. So, I put my purse down and attempted to help since I have similar ones in the gyms, I run up north. We couldn't figure it out and I apologized that I couldn't be more of help. We left the restroom and I found it odd that she rushed out of there but I brushed it off. I went to the traveling section to proceed with trying to find a tide stick. A "manager" rushed up to me and asked if I needed assistance. I said, "Yes where can I find a tide stick?"She glared at me and said that they don't have any and then proceeded to accuse me of putting items in my purse! I said, "umm what! No! I did not put anything in my purse!"She then said," Yes you did, my employee said you did and she saw you".I said, "No I did not! Here look in my purse for yourself I did not take anything."She snapped," I can't take your purse, but you stole from us and my employee said she saw you so you did. I'll get the cops involved"I said," No I did not, go check your cameras, but I am going to continue shopping since I did nothing wrong!" I was in so much shock and disbelief. I have never been treated so poorly in my life and never been accused of something like this! I bought 4 small items because I was afraid of what else they were going to accuse me of and all the other workers were extremely rude to me while I was in there. When I did my last scan of the store, I realized I was the only darker skinned person in that store. I will never be shopping there again. I felt I was racially profiled in there. When I got to my car I sat for a good few mins and cried.
