Worker records ‘racist’ supervisor in cotton warehouse
Source: WREG Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. There are shocking allegations of racial discrimination in a Memphis cotton warehouse.
Two men filed charges against the Atkinson Cotton Warehouse.
Theyre accusing their former supervisor of calling them monkeys and telling them the water fountain and microwave were for white people only.
He said after months of racist comments and feeling powerless, he decided to use his phone as a weapon to fight back.
He recorded his attempt to drink water from a water fountain in the warehouse office.
Hey! says the supervisor in the recording.
What? asked Harris.
I need to put a sign here that says `white people only.
Harris also recorded his attempt to use the microwave.
I am going to use the microwave, said Harris in the recording.
Hell no! said the supervisor.
Why cant I use the microwave, man?
Because you are not white.
Put your sign on the wall then, because I am feeling to drink it, said Harris. What would they do when they catch me drinking your water?
That`s when we hang you, said the supervisor.
Read more: http://wreg.com/2014/06/02/worker-records-racist-supervisor-in-cotton-gin/
And here is the company's response:
How can you have "no comment"? What, just because you outsource the management you have nothing to say about naked racism?
No comment = Approval.
"Post racial" society my ass.
JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts)jtuck004
(15,882 posts)just keep it hidden better.
Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)"No comment" does not necessarily mean approval.
If upper management (the owner) is in a fact gathering phase, then it would be inappropriate for him to comment. In fact, the owner would probably do best not to comment until he makes a decision and takes action. In that case, assuming these allegations are true, his first and last comment would be something like "that supervisor no longer works here."
If he outsources management, then he could be in discussions with the agency that actually employs the supervisor about the situation.
These are very serious charges and they should be given the attention of the owner, who should not make a snap judgment until he has spoken to witnesses and determined the facts.
If nothing happens, then we might ask why not.
Kelvin Mace
(17,469 posts)However, if a newspaper called me and made these allegations and asked for comment, the comment would be "Bring this evidence to me to look at. If what you say is true, then all parties involved are fired. I will NOT tolerate ANY racists behavior in my employees or contractors for ANY reason."
TeamPooka
(24,229 posts)Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)However, newspapers don't like to give away their sources. Doing so tends to get reporters fewer good sources. How did the reporter know this guy isn't just as much a racist as the supervisor seems to be? That could have resulted in the employees who came forward being fired.
Yes, he could have responded to the reporter as you suggest, but if he were already looking into the problem, then he would have been less likely to do so.
I believe I read in the other thread on this story that the supervisor at the center of this matter is presently on vacation. The owner should probably ask him some questions after he gets back.
I'm not a lawyer, but I expound the legalistic point of view for two reasons. The one that I consider less important is that the owner wants to avoid a wrongful termination suit. The more important one is that, even if the supervisor is the local Grand Dragon, he deserves to be treated fairly. The more important one less legalistic than it is ethical. Serious accusations like this should not be treated as though they're being taken at face value any more than they should be simply dismissed out of hand. It is the owner's responsibility to all involved to gather the facts and sort them out before doing anything.
Kelvin Mace
(17,469 posts)which they are doing anyway. Who was the source of the video is irrelevant. If someone shows me a video of a manager hired at my behest saying that, I don't care if the source of the video was the Illuminati or Underpants Gnomes, someone is getting fired.
I cannot think of any context where this sort of comment would be ethically or legally defensible.
Absolutely true, in which case your response is: "I am not aware of this incident, however, I take the accusation as gravely serious and will investigate immediately. Should I discover evidence of racism, then action will be swift."
Instead, we get "No comment".
Sorry, but if you operate in the public arena "No comment" is tacit admission of the incident while you try to figure out how to spin it.
Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)To me, "no comment" is what is said when to say any more than that is to say too much. The owner could have been in that spot.
lobodons
(1,290 posts)But SCOTUS recently ruled that there is no more racism in the United States.
Enrique
(27,461 posts)for the headline writer to remove the quotes around "racist"
geretogo
(1,281 posts)Xithras
(16,191 posts)This has always been America. The only "new" thing here are the smartphones and online media sources that make it more visible.
heaven05
(18,124 posts)of people in fear of losing their status as defacto masters of the universe and every nonwhite in it. Truly the state of amerikkka today. Sounds like some shit I had to endure in the 50's and 60's. geez
antiGOPin294
(53 posts)This incident is a painful reminder that racism is far from dead in this country. If anything, racist sentiments seem to be on the rise in recent years. So much for living in the 21st century.