Zendaya Says a Grocery Store Clerk Refused to Help Her Because of Her "Skin Tone"

Zendaya has never hesitated to speak out against injustice, so it's no surprise that when she recently experienced discrimination firsthand, she took to Snapchat to sound off.

According to E! Online, Zendaya and a friend were trying to buy some gift cards at a Vons grocery store this week when the situation got very uncomfortable, very quickly. Zendaya explains in a series of Snapchat videos:

"So we just got out of this Vons. Now, I am trying to buy a lot of gift cards. Now, there's some certain, specific things you have to do when it comes to buying gift cards. There are certain limits and some things, which is understandable. Okay, cool. So I'll take a less amount, whatever. But the lady that was helping us—I don't think she was a fan of our skin tone."

Zendaya's friend confirmed her account of the events and agreed that the cashier was "rude."

"In fact, I recall her not trying to help us at all, saying that we couldn't buy the gift cards, and then throwing my wallet. You can't make this s**t up. I just can't make this s**t up! You know? This is what we deal with!" Zendaya continued. Then, she added, the cashier gave her a look that said, "You can't afford this."

In the end, a manager helped Zendaya complete the purchase of her $400 worth of gift cards. And Zendaya used the negative experience to talk about the discrimination people of color still face in 2016.

"Long story short, there is so much progress to be done in our world," she said. She ended her story on a positive note, rising above the negativity—per usual. "You know what? It's all love. Maybe she'll go on to have a wonderful life."

Watch Zendaya's entire Snapchat account of the events below:

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