Hello, I am writing to inform people that discrimination is still on the rise in the Pike county area.

This past Saturday 01/16/2010 I was headed to IGA and decided to stop at Showtime in Pike Center Mart. I had never been in the store before but decided to see what they had.

When I went in I was looking around just to see what they had when the cashier who also stated she was the manager yelled at me stating my purse was to big, at first I throught that she was kidding with me, but then she yelled again stating in order for me to stay in the store I would have to leave my purse behind the counter with her. At that time I was very hurt and confused.

I informed her that my purse was not that big to me and also there was no room in my purse to put anything else in there. The manager at that time became very upset with me and started saying that either I give her my purse or leave. I said to the manager are you accusing me of trying to steal some shoes. The manager stated you have that big purse?

At that time I was through talking with her, I asked her for her name and she refused to give me her name. I asked for the name of the manager, she stated I am the manager. Then I asked for the owner’s name, but she refused to give me the owner’s name. There were other customers in the store that became so upset with the cashier and they did not understand why she was yelling at me.

I am a professional woman and I have never experience this type of behavior in my life. I was so embrassed and hurt. One thing I am sure of, I will not go back into that store and will inform others that I know not to shop there either. The cashier did not approach me or ask could she talk to me on the side. She yelled these thing at me like I was a thief.

She didn’t know me, and I felt she discriminated aganist me because I am a Black woman that carrys a big purse. I plan to inform everyone that I know about this incident that took place at Showtime Shoes. I have called the City of McComb to get the owner’s name and telephone number. Of course the owner lives in Florida and the telephone number is disconnected. I’m not going to stop here! I am hurt and disappointed.

Now I know how it feels to be discriminated against. But I’m not going to take this sitting down.

Mary Gallagher