Wi Not Stop Discrimination at Wi Not Stop at 9053 Wellington Rd, Manassas VA Manassas, Virginia
To Whom This Concerns at WUSA:
My son is a student athlete and International Baccalaureate (IB) student at Stonewall High School (SJHS) in Manassas, VA. He is a good, trouble-free student who has positive relationships with students and staff at SJHS. Simply put, hes a good kid. For almost four years he has purchased items and fuel from the Wi Not Stop convenience store on the corner of Wellington Road near SJHS (9053 Wellington Rd., Manassas). Until yesterday (7 December 2011), his routine visits at the Wi Not Stop have been uneventful; however, that is no longer the case.
On his way to school yesterday, my son stopped at the Wi Not Stop to get his morning two beverages. When he got to the cash register, the cashier informed him that he could not purchase the items because they no longer served any students from SJHS. Incidentally, this was the first time my son wore his brand new senior sweatshirt with the SJHS logo on it. Which is obviously how the cashier was able to determine that my son is a student at SJHS. Being the debatable young man that my son happens to be, he tried to reason with the cashier but to no avail. The cashier stood firm only explaining that the SJHS students cause too much trouble in the store and they use curse words.
My son says he tried to tell them that he had been purchasing items from the Wi Not Stop for almost four years, that he is an IB and senior student athlete, and that he had never caused and would never cause any problems in their store. Then another employee joined in and restated to my son, Are you still here? as he was still trying to work things out. The employees of the Wi Not Stop then threatened to call the police on my son just because he was trying to reason with them and ultimately purchase the beverages; however, after several minutes, my son replaced the items and left the store. He ended up being late for his first period class but he was excused by the SJHS Principle and IB Program Coordinator when he explained the situation to them.
Unfortunately, although they excused my son for his tardiness, the SJHS Principle, Mr. Nichols, and IB Program Manager, Ms. Ellis, informed my son that there was nothing more they could do about the situation at Wi Not Stop. Though Mr. Nichols did say that he would not longer purchase his fuel from the station. He simply advised my son that his parents would have to report the matter. So, that is what I am doing with this message.
I believe the Wi Not Stop manager / owner and employees are being highly discriminatory. I draw this conclusion based on the following. First, SJHS is located in an area of Prince William County, Manassas in particular, that is quite diverse. In the immediately surrounding area, there are many under-privileged and lower income families as well as Blacks and Hispanics. What makes this school so unique and diverse is that the school zone also includes privileged and higher-income families as well as many Whites. I find these community attributes to be quite positive and I chose SJHS because of its diversity and the IB program. I did so despite the fact that, since our arrival to this area, Ive heard so many stereotypes about SJHS. I soon found out that all of the high schools in Prince William County have their own set of pros and cons. So I stayed with SJHS as the best choice for my son. Unfortunately, the stereotypes about SJHS and the surrounding community prevail.
I believe Wi Not Stop has adopted the stereotypes. I believe their intolerance is clearly shown when the Wi Not Stop employees stated that they no longer serve students from SJHS because of their behavior. Really? You mean they truly believe that ALL of the SJHS students are unruly??? How can such an irrational judgment influence a decision that impacts the entire student body, and community for that matter? Second, how can they tell SJHS students from the rest of the young folks who come into their store? I would say that the average young person does not routinely wear SJHS logos on their daily clothes. This is highly discriminatory in that there is absolutely no way anyone can draw that kind of conclusion based on observation alone. Third, if a person is publicly conducting themselves in a respectful and rational manner, how does such behavior translate into denial of basic consumer rights in this capitalistic society, in the 21st century no less? I dont condone bad behavior but stereotyping and discrimination is not the way to handle a set of unruly children that may be causing a ruckus in a store. Whatever happened to posting signs? Whatever happened to calling the police? Whatever happened to refusing service on unruly individuals?
I could go on and on but let me end by saying that I am a 23-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force who has been all over the world. I have never experienced such intolerance! Boycott Wi Not Stop in Manassas, VA!!
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Ramjet
Somewhere,Michigan,
U.S.A.
A couple comments
#6Consumer Comment
Sun, December 11, 2011
You say you were in the service and never saw discrimination like this. Good for you.
I was in the Navy in the 60's and there were many establishments in Navy towns who would not serve sailors. I remember seeing signs in Norfolk that said something like 'sailors and dogs keep off the grass', I thought this was incredibly unfair because I never cause problems - Never. However, after seeing some of the things I saw a few other sailors do it was easy to understand why they felt that way. Fair? No, but understandable.
There were also a number of ports we went to who did not like, and would not serve us just because we were Americans. Again, after seeing how some Americans behaved, I could see why they didn't like us.
I also observed institutionalized racial discrimination in the south. I am white but my best friend on my ship was black and there were many places we could not go, especially together.
It's a lesson your son can learn from this. Many times an obnoxious few can ruin things for the rest. Unfortunately, life isn't necessarily fair. It's unlikely you can change it but good luck trying.
Ken
Greeley,Colorado,
USA
Your plan is even worse than what you say is happening.....
#6Consumer Comment
Sun, December 11, 2011
Let me just say this as the bottom-line: the store appears to be making subjective choices. Either it needs to ban all students or no students, or consider alternate methods of dealing with unruliness. Otherwise, singling out students from one school is unjust and discriminatory. Wi Not Stop that?
Let's say they do it your way and students from other schools who AREN'T being disruptive would have their mommys posting on ROR saying it's not fair to use a broadbrush and punish those that are NOT part of the problem.
I think you're beating a dead horse and want to involve innocent parties in this so you and your son will feel better.....NOT fair.
Sablesiren
Bristow,Virginia,
USA
Wi Not Stop Wi Not?
#6Author of original report
Sun, December 11, 2011
Interesting update. Two respondents pointed out that there is no protected class under the law for high-school students. Please note: I never said I was pursuing a discrimination complaint under EEO law. I'm quite aware of the protected classes but in case you all haven't realized, there are plenty of ways that people discriminate and most of those ways are not covered under the law.
Please understand that I intend to draw attention to a situation that doesn't just rest with Wi Not Stop. This is a much broader issue.
I don't think Wi Not Stop is applying its prohibition equally across the board. As I said, they should post signs and let all students know that they no longer serve them. The fact that they are singling out the students of SJHS is an issue, especially when there are other schools right near the store.
Let me just say this as the bottom-line: the store appears to be making subjective choices. Either it needs to ban all students or no students, or consider alternate methods of dealing with unruliness. Otherwise, singling out students from one school is unjust and discriminatory. Wi Not Stop that?
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Consumer Rights?
#6Consumer Comment
Fri, December 09, 2011
how does such behavior translate into denial of basic consumer rights in this capitalistic society
- I don't know where you got this but no one has the RIGHT to be able to patronize a particular store. It is a PRIVATE business and as long as they are not discriminating against any "protected class" they are not violating any "rights". Oh and High School Students are NOT a protected class.
Whatever happened to posting signs? Whatever happened to calling the police? Whatever happened to refusing service on unruly individuals?
- I would agree with you that there should be signs, have you personally verified that there are no signs posted? Of course they can call the police or refuse service to unruly individuals. But if 9 out of 10 times they are calling the police and refusing service because of students of this High School logic would dictate that the effort and cost involved in dealing with these students is just too much and it is actually better to ban all of the students.
Flynrider
Phoenix,Arizona,
USA
No issue
#6Consumer Comment
Fri, December 09, 2011
What you describe is quite common for convenience stores that are located near high schools. It's been common since I was in high school, decades ago. They have obviously decided that the trouble with dealing with customers of that age group exceeds the potential profits (most commonly shoplifting and disturbances). It is the store's perogative to choose how they want to run their business and who they will and will not serve. Students of the high school are not a protected class, so forget discrimination claims. One point that I do agree with is that they should post a sign at the door. The main reason I know that this is common practice is from seeing such signs on convenience store doors.
"Third, if a person is publicly conducting themselves in a respectful and rational manner, how does such behavior translate into denial of basic consumer rights in this capitalistic society, in the 21st century no less? "
While I'm sure that your son is precious and special, that does not mean he should be treated any differently than the rest of his classmates. That might actually look like discrimination. Now is the time to start teaching him that the rules apply to everyone equally. His peers have obviously soured the store owner on SJHS students as clientele. He should learn to accept that he will sometimes have to abide by restrictions that have nothing to do with his actions. As a USAF veteran, you should be quite familiar with this concept.
If you want to boycott the store in protest, that is your right and I wish you the best. My only reason for posting was to point out that this is a common issue across the country and is in no way illegal or improper. Your assertion that your son is being denied his "basic consumer rights in this capitalistic society" is a non-starter as no such rights exist.