On Tuesday, she was on her way to London on winter holiday, but first visited the Æra Fashion clothing store at the main airport with her daughter before leaving. There, a female clerk is said to have made a racist remark. In an emotional post on social media, Williamson described what happened: “Now something just happened that makes me so sorry, I’m at Gardermoen with (daughter’s name) and we’re entering Æra Fashion Airport with my daughter. Two employees are standing in the till and talking. One of the employees is an elderly lady: Then she says, “there’s another Negro”, she writes on her Instagram profile, among other things. Screenshot of Tinashe Williamson’s Instagram post. Illustration: PRIVATE – Screaming “help me” Social worker Williamson is both a PR consultant, author, actor and model. In 2001, she published the book “Handbook for young anti-racists”. She has also come forward with several self-perceived stories about racism, and was named this year’s role model at the Vixen awards 2021. Now she was totally blown away, she says. – I am standing there with my daughter. I look away at the young lady in panic and scream “help me” with my eyes. She doesn’t say anything and I take (daughter’s name) out with me, writes Williamson, who is married to comedian Odd Magnus Williamson. Æra Fashions is a clothing chain that carries many of the more expensive brands, and it is established at the largest Norwegian airports. Henrik Thodesen, husband Odd Magnus Williamson and Tinashe Williamson during a premiere party for the comedy series Norwegian Prejudice. Photo: news P / news P3 Æra: – Sorry Airport Retail Norway, the company behind Æra Fashion, says that they are very sorry that Tinashe Williamson and her daughter had a negative customer experience in one of their stores. – Williamson overheard a shop employee using words in a racist and unacceptable manner, which she confronted the employee with. The employee subsequently states that the wording was taken out of context, and that it was in no way a statement with racist content. This is what Ann Christin Ruud, who is general manager of Airport Retail Norway, writes to news. She says that the situation was handled in a way that is incompatible with good customer service when the store employee was confronted with this. – Airport Retail Norway has contacted Williamson and apologized for the incident. She has also received an unreserved apology from the shop assistant, who is terribly sorry for what has happened, says Ruud. Airport Retail Norway takes the matter very seriously, she writes further. – Regardless of the context behind the words that were overheard, it has led to a situation where one of our customers feels violated by a store employee. It is not acceptable, and far from our attitudes and our requirements for customer treatment. The matter will be followed up internally. – I was heard and understood On Tuesday evening, Williamson wrote on Instagram that she would like to praise Airport Retail Norway and Avinor for taking the matter seriously. Tinashe Williamson is known both as a model, PR consultant, author and actress. Photo: Truls Qvale / Cappelen Damm – You might think it goes without saying, but unfortunately I have experienced far too many times that it is not taken seriously when you speak up, she writes. She says that she has had a nice chat with both actors. – I was heard and understood, and feel that they really grasped this. Both employees were taken in for a meeting and I was continuously updated, Williamson writes on Instagram. – I want changes in attitude and not necessarily punishment, but I was clear that attitudes like this do not belong in the public sphere, she writes. Avinor: – Addressing the case Communications Manager at Oslo Airport, Harald Nygaard Kvam, says that they take what Williamsom experienced very seriously. – We in Avinor think this is very sad to hear about. This is simply not how we want it to be at Oslo Airport, and we take this matter very seriously. Avinor’s commercial department has already followed up the matter more closely, against the store in question, he says. Harald Nygaard Kvam is communications manager at Oslo Airport. Photo: OSL – We have contacted Williamson directly, as we want to hear more about her experience, says Kvam, who states that airport director Stine Ramstad Westby has spoken to her. – It seemed that Williamson appreciated that we made direct contact with her. – Have you been in contact with Æra Fashion? – Yes. The management at Æra tells us that they are very sorry and that they will deal with the matter immediately. – What measures are you taking? – Avinor has entered into a dialogue with Æra about this and follows up directly with them. There is zero tolerance for racism at Oslo Airport. Avinor is not the employer in the case, but follows up with the company and the management there, he says.
ttn-69
