EXCLUSIVE: Woman confronts Pleasant Hill worker wearing blackface in Staples
PLEASANT HILL, Calif. (KGO) -- A new video has surfaced of a worker in a Staples store wearing blackface that's gone viral after an ABC7 News report this past weekend.
FULL VIDEO: Woman confronts worker about 'blackface' costume
ABC7 News has obtained exclusive video where you can hear the worker explain her Halloween costume to an offended customer, Geneen Bland, after first joking that she could also be a "Napa fire spa guest."
Bland: "What is your costume supposed to be?"
Worker: "Oh I'm a beauty shop customer."
Bland: "A beauty shop customer? Why is your face black?"
Worker: "This is a charcoal mask. Have you ever seen them?"
Bland: "Looks like blackface to me."
Worker: "Oh no no no..."
Bland provided her video to ABC7 News after seeing our weekend story featuring another offended shopper.
FULL INTERVIEW: Geneen Bland describes confrontation with employee in 'blackface'
She says she complained to the store manager to no avail, and then approached HR, which apologized, told bland the woman was wearing a "Sharpie costume" and that she works for a contractor called Marketsource. They also told Bland the worker was there to promote HP products.
The office supply giant issued a statement reading: "Staples apologizes to any customers that were offended in the store, as well as those that may have viewed a photo of the representative on social media."
Marketsource offered a similar apology statement to ABC7 News. And bland Tells us a Marketsource manager called and told her the worker has been suspended.
