Retail Racism

In recent news, The New York Times published an article highlighting the direct and offensive racial discrimination performed on the African Americans of a nearby clothing store: Wet Seal. This popular, modern, and well-known store has been in business for years but might be losing some of that income due to the illegal favoritism of white "Armani" looking workers over African Americans. This act of racism began in Pennsylvania, where numerous African Americans were being fired due to their appearance, and where former manager Nicole Cogdell was dismissed for being of black skin color. Wet Seal released a statement saying that its new leadership team "had been unequivocally vocal about its commitment to equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, as well as a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation." Regardless of these said apologies and statements, Nicole Cogdell has decided to pursue her lawsuit against Wet Seal and find justice for all working African Americans.