June 10, 2012
Ms. Mary Ellen Keating
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications & Public Affairs
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
New York, NY
Ms. Keating:
Like many people across the globe, I've read about the recent controversy at one of your stores in Scottsdale, Arizona . As I understand the situation, a woman took issue with an American citizen of Egyptian birth who was alone in the children's book section. As a result, he was forced out of the store by an employee after being told by said employee that it was company policy to prohibit men from shopping in the children's book section by themselves.
You are quoted by The Arizona Republic as stating, "We believe we acted appropriately."
So, what part is appropriate? Creating a rule prohibiting men from shopping for children's books alone? Allowing random, bigoted women to decide who can shop and where they can shop in your stores? Defending bigotry based on gender and very likely based on race or national origin?
Which part is acting "appropriately"?
As a father and uncle, I've shopped in the children's section of more than one Barnes and Noble over the years. I purchased books as present and for school requirements. As a rape survivor, I've purchased books that helped me in the healing process. Should I be profiled by B&N for that, since you and B&N believe it is acting "appropriately" to assume men are all potential sex offenders if shopping alone in certain parts of the store? Am I no longer welcome in your stores based on your support for this sexist policy that you believe to be acting "appropriately"?
I feel betrayed by a company that I've given a great deal of my business to over the years.
What are you and your bosses planning to do to earn my business back? What are you going to do to correct this bigoted injustice that you have defended and beleive to be acting "appropriately"?
What are you going to do? Mr. Amin is owed an apology and the company and you need to apologize to the public for arrogantly defending clear bigotry on the basis of gender. Further, the woman making the complaint very well may have been a racist who objected to Mr. Amin's prescence based on her own biases. Are you proud of your employer for kicking out a 73 year old man based on a bigoted woman's say so?
What are you gonna do to make this right?
The world is watching and listening. It is time to do the right thing and show us that you aren't a bigot. However, your own words defending sexist and likely race-based bigotry speak to the contrary.
Sincerely,
James A. Landrith, Jr.
sent via email to: mkeating@bn.com