In a resounding victory against racial profiling, a Multnomah County, Oregon jury has ordered Walmart to pay $4.4 million to Michael Mangum, a Black man falsely accused of shoplifting. The case, which unfolded at a Walmart store in Wood Village, Oregon, has shed light on the pervasive issue of “shopping while Black” and the devastating consequences of implicit bias.
On March 26, 2020, Mangum was shopping for a refrigerator light bulb when he encountered Joseph Williams, a Walmart employee working as a theft prevention officer. According to court documents, Williams confronted Mangum, accusing him of staring. Mangum asserted that he simply replied, “because you’re looking at me.” This seemingly innocuous exchange took a turn for the worse when Williams, without provocation, ordered Mangum to leave the store.
Michael Mangum, who was racially profiled at a Walmart store.
Despite Mangum’s insistence that he had done nothing wrong, Williams escalated the situation by calling non-emergency services. In his call, Williams falsely claimed that Mangum had threatened to physically harm him and refused to leave the store. This blatant fabrication ultimately led to the arrival of law enforcement.
Upon arriving at the scene, the responding officers conducted interviews with Mangum, Williams, and a couple who witnessed the altercation. After careful consideration of the testimonies and the lack of any evidence to support Williams’s claims, the officers determined that no crime had been committed and refused to take further action against Mangum.
However, the ordeal did not end there. In the days following the incident, Oregon officials launched an investigation into Williams’s conduct. Their findings revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior. Evidence suggested that Williams had a history of providing false information to police officers about customers, often exaggerating or fabricating incidents to elicit a response.
A Walmart store where the racial profiling incident occurred.
Testimonies from law enforcement officials revealed their growing frustration with Williams’s pattern of making unfounded accusations. Deputies recounted numerous instances where they responded to Williams’s calls only to discover that the alleged threats or assaults had never occurred. Williams’s actions, they argued, were not only a waste of valuable police resources but also put innocent individuals like Mangum at risk.
Mangum filed a lawsuit against Walmart in December 2021, alleging that the retail giant was negligent in supervising Williams and failed to take appropriate action despite being aware of his history of false reporting. The lawsuit argued that Walmart’s inaction created an environment where racial profiling and discrimination could flourish, directly leading to the unjust treatment Mangum experienced.
After eight months of legal proceedings, the jury delivered a decisive verdict in favor of Mangum, awarding him $4.4 million in damages. This substantial sum reflects the jury’s recognition of the significant emotional distress, reputational harm, and violation of civil rights that Mangum endured as a result of Walmart’s negligence and Williams’s racially motivated actions.
The jury awarded Michael Mangum $4.4 million in damages.
While Walmart has stated that they do not tolerate discrimination and believe the verdict is excessive, the outcome of this case sends a powerful message. It underscores the importance of holding corporations accountable for fostering a culture of respect and ensuring that their employees are adequately trained to prevent racial profiling and discrimination.
This case serves as a stark reminder that “shopping while Black” remains a pervasive issue in our society. It highlights the urgent need for continued dialogue, education, and systemic changes to combat implicit bias and ensure equal treatment for all, regardless of race or ethnicity.
