My response to Foot Locker

In response to my posting yesterday concerning the Foot Locker, Inc. incident against Kevin Dunbar, I am sending the following letter to the corporate headquarters of Foot Locker, Inc.

June 30, 2004

Director of Corporate Staffing
Foot Locker, Inc.
112 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10120

Dear Sir:

I have been a loyal customer to the Foot Locker for years. In fact, all of my exercise and running shoes were purchased at the Foot Locker. Unfortunately, all of that is about to change.

I read yesterday about the terrible experiences that a store employee suffered from one of your stores in Columbia, South Carolina. The employee’s name is Kevin Dunbar. He is gay, and was subjected to numerous verbal attacks and humiliation at the hands of your other employees, which included a store manager.

Upon transferring to his new store in Columbia, the store manager refused to shake his hand and greeted him with, “I heard about your shit, I don't want your faggot ass in my store.”

I understand that Mr. Dunbar has filed a discrimination suit against Foot Locker, Inc. I honestly hope that he receives the compensation that is due him, from suffering this abuse. No one should have to put up with this, and I am honestly extremely disappointed at your company for failing to adequately train your employees on acceptable behavior. Mr. Dunbar complained to his supervisor, and the harassment only got worse. That supervisor represented YOU!

I will never again set foot in one of your stores. You have lost a loyal customer. I have also posted the news article along with this letter on my website to alert others about this incident. Last month, the site received 826,242 visitors. This month it looks as if it will surpass that number.

I have also added the Foot Locker, Inc. to my “Boycott List”. This list consists of other companies who have been discriminatory in the past. If you have “your side” of the story, I’d be open to listening to it, but I have to tell you, it will have to be a pretty good argument that would support calling an employee a “faggot”.

Actions (or the lack of action) have consequences. Perhaps you can learn from this.

Sincerely,
Bill Cannon