Talk about a punch in the eye for Apple. Apple has been accused of racism after two security personnel and a store staff of an Apple retail center in Melbourne advised a group of black students to leave their store premises.
The group consisting of six were reportedly denied from entering the Apple retail store on allegations that they might steal something, Melissa Davey of The Guardian wrote. The students were in their school uniform when the incident occurred.
The six black students from Maribyrnong College were told by the store staff not to enter their store premises because, according to the confrontation video uploaded to Facebook, "their presence got the security guards worried that they might take something".
One of the black students countered by inquiring, "Why would we steal something?", Davey further reported.
Comments about the confrontation video flooded Facebook and Twitter and suggested that this is a case of racial profiling.
Davey quoted Fardawsa Shanino writing on Facebook, "that's what people do, racial profiling happens a lot, and white Australians want to ignore that".
Another Facebook user, Joel Kipchumba, also passed a comment stating, "#RacisminAustralia is kicking strong". He also plans on camping outside the Apple store in protest this Saturday, Davey added.
Further into the racial profiling committed by Apple, the six black students were born in Africa but moved in Australia according to records.
John Haltiwanger of Elite Daily wrote that their origins are from Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt, respectively, as shared by Mashable.
Apple, on the other hand, apologized immediately for the untoward incident saying that investigations will be done. Mohamed Semra, one of the six black students denied store entrance, commented that he was racially profiled, Haltiwanger added.
And finally in the news, Apple maintained their position by believing in equality for everyone, without exception.
Apple issued their concern after an incident involving six black students being denied entrance into an Apple retail store. It was alleged that the students' appearance struck fear on two security personnel and a store staff believing they might steal something.
Malaysia Chronicle reported that Apple, in a statement issued after the occurrence, said they will continue to do everything in their power to ensure that all customers are treated the way they should be.
Quoting Mabior Ater, one of the black students denied store entry, Malaysia Chronicle wrote, "I've been coming to this mall for a long time and I never thought something like this would happen...of course I was offended", he said.
Racial profiling is an issue that even the United States is having difficulty in addressing. And the ejecting incident involving six black students in a Melbourne retail store only proves that there is still much work to be done to eradicate social discrimination in society.
Apple extended great efforts in attaining their enviable position in the computer industry that believes in equality and in social harmony.
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, has to make sure his company continues the vision of the late Steve Jobs in not only providing innovative Apple products to their customers but also in assuring that proper customer care is extended to their clients irrespective of race or color.
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