Tag: Racial Harassment

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Stand Against Racial Harassment – It’s Illegal and Unacceptable

Discrimination, harassment based on race of family members is illegal. Contact the race harassment, discrimination lawyers in Los Angeles, Helmer Friedman LLP for a Free consultation.

In the United States, an individual’s civil rights are protected under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. One of the many provisions of this act is the legal prohibition of harassment and discrimination based on the race of your family members. No one, under any circumstances, has the right to deny you opportunities, benefits or fair treatment due to the racial background of your family members.

Racial harassment can manifest in a plethora of ways. Some common examples include derogatory comments about someone’s racial or ethnic origin, racial slurs or insults, racial jokes or stereotypes, or displaying racially offensive symbols. These actions are not just hurtful; they’re illegal and punishable by law.

One notable instance of racial harassment in the corporate world involves Cavco Industries, Palm Harbor Homes, and Palm Harbor Villages. The U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settled a racial discrimination lawsuit with the company for $135,000. The lawsuit alleged that an employee was subjected to a racially hostile work environment, which included racially offensive remarks and comments about the race of members of his family. The settlement reiterates that businesses are legally obligated to maintain an environment free of racial discrimination and reinforces that legal action will be pursued in cases of violations.

A racially hostile work environment is determined through the lens of both objective and subjective criteria. Objectively, the conduct must be severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would find the workplace intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Subjectively, the victim must perceive the environment to be hostile or abusive as well. It’s crucial to underline that isolated incidents, unless extremely severe, do not typically constitute a hostile work environment under the law. Instead, it’s the pattern of behavior over time that comes under scrutiny. Factors considered in these determinations include the frequency of the discriminatory conduct, its severity, whether it is physically threatening or humiliating (or a mere offensive utterance), and whether it unreasonably interferes with an employee’s work performance. The threshold for what constitutes this environment is necessarily high because the law seeks to balance freedom of speech and conduct in the workplace with protections against discrimination.

Remember, respect and equality are at the foundation of our society and any form of racial discrimination or harassment undermines these principles. Stay informed, stay respectful, and remember that racism, in any form, is not just morally wrong; it’s illegal.
Know your rights. Report any instances of racial harassment or discrimination in your workplace to the appropriate authorities. We must all stand together to ensure a fair and equitable society for all, irrespective of race or color.

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Racial Discrimination and Harassment at Kansas Community College

Protecting students from harassment and other discrimination is a top priority of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Settlement to Address Racial Discrimination and Harassment at Highland Community College

Summary

  • The Justice Department investigated allegations of discriminatory treatment against Black students at Highland Community College in Kansas.
  • The settlement requires the college to improve transparency and fairness in disciplinary proceedings and enhance policies and training on campus security to prevent discrimination.
  • HCC will also strengthen policies and procedures for addressing students’ complaints of racial discrimination.
  • The college will reform policies on discipline, campus security, housing, and racial harassment and revise procedures for responding to complaints of racial discrimination.
  • HCC will train campus security and other staff on effective de-escalation techniques and non-coercive methods of gathering information.
  • The college will survey and improve the climate and culture of their main campus, cultivate safe and welcoming spaces for Black students, and ensure equitable access to educational programs and activities regardless of race.

The Justice Department has reached a settlement agreement with Highland Community College (HCC) in Kansas following an investigation into allegations of racial harassment and discriminatory treatment against Black students. The complaints stated that Black students were subjected to searches, surveillance, and harsher disciplinary measures leading to their removal from campus housing or even expulsion.

As part of the settlement, the college will improve the transparency and fairness of their disciplinary proceedings to prevent such discrimination. They will also enhance their policies, procedures, and training on campus security to promote non-discriminatory interactions with students. Additionally, HCC will strengthen its policies and procedures for addressing students’ complaints of racial discrimination.

It is important to note that no student should have their educational experience hindered by discrimination based on their race. The Justice Department is committed to safeguarding the civil rights of college students across the country to pursue higher education in a safe, welcoming, and discrimination-free environment.

Under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the department opened its investigation in January 2022. The college cooperated fully and expressed a desire to make positive changes for its students by revising policies and practices, training employees, and enhancing student engagement to improve campus climate.

Under the agreement, Highland Community College will reform policies on discipline, campus security, housing, and racial harassment. They will also revise their procedures for responding to students’ racial discrimination complaints and ensure that they are handled by trained employees. Additionally, they will train campus security and other staff on effective de-escalation techniques and non-coercive methods of gathering information. The college will also survey and improve the climate and culture of its main campus, cultivate safe and welcoming spaces for Black students, and ensure equitable access to educational programs and activities regardless of race.

It is crucial to be aware of the issues of discrimination in educational environments and the steps being taken to address them. For more information, visit the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/crt or the Educational Opportunities Section at www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section/educational-opportunities-section.