Fred Meyer issues apology, works with NAACP to address racial discimination claims from Black shoppers

KLCC | By Brian Bull

Published April 5, 2022 at 10:37 PM PDT

After complaints of racial bias and a March 12^th demonstration, retail giant Fred Meyer has apologized to the NAACP Linn-Benton branch.

Its president, Jason Dorsette, says private discussions began with regional Fred Meyer representatives last month, and the NAACP’s demands were met ahead of deadline. This includes addressing racial profiling of Black shoppers at the Corvallis and Albany stores, by developing bias, equity, and inclusion workshops.

Another demand is the creation of a reporting system for shoppers, so acts of discrimination can be collected into quarterly reports that’ll be shared on the Fred Meyer website and with local newspapers.

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Brian Bull

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016. In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional), the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.

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