Chalk one up for logic. A federal jury in New York has awarded Brandi Johnson, 38, $30,000 in punitive damages as a result of their finding her manager guilty of discrimination and hostility for referring to her as the n-word eight times when lecturing her about workplace attire and inappropriate behavior. This is in addition to the award of $250,000 in compensatory damages awarded last week.
The incident in question, occurring in March of last year, found her manager, Rob Carmona railing and ranting for forty-five minutes and left Ms. Johnson in tears she was so upset. In her own words, “I was offended. I was hurt. I felt degraded. I felt disrespected. I was embarrassed.” Mr. Carmona, the founder and manager of STRIVE, an employment service for those in recovery, specifically blacks, was recorded by Johnson during this verbal lashing.
Yes, she was offended. She was hurt. She felt degraded and disrespected. She was embarrassed. No matter that both she and Carmona are black, that epithet HURTS. Period. Carmona’s take on the effect that word has? Priceless.
Yeah, my “boy”.
Allow me to fill you in on a little something, brother. It’s like this:
I’m a Southern chick, born, bred, and raised. My great-granddaddy was a South Carolina Senator. My family goes back more generations than I have fingers, and when you call someone “boy”, it is NOT a term of affection. As a matter of fact, the connotations of that alone have resulted in bloodshed as it’s a term indicative of inferiority and a lesser status where I’m from. So usage of the n-word is not only unacceptable, but using it to refer to another as your “boy” is ridiculously patronizing and offensive.
In a time where everyone and their dog is crying for equality, no matter how it’s achieved, you would think that a recovering heroin addict with a degree from Columbia (please tell me you aren’t shocked) would be a bit more empowering and a might less condescending.
Not that I expect as much more from a volatile racial climate such as the one in which we live thanks to the Race Baiter in Chief and his trusty minions of division and derision. And that makes me all that much more pleased that Brandi Johnson is setting the precedence by not allowing this level of disrespect and bigotry leveled toward her.
You go……….girl.
Remarkable Kanoodle says: In the 19th century a great many Americans braved the dangerous frontiers, faced freezing cold, hostile natives and starvation out in an untamed wilderness without any compensation other than what they made for themselves. In the 20th century, a great many Americans went to Europe to come face to face with horrific battle and the daily possibility of immediate and grusome death – with minimal compensation.
In the 21st century, Americans are getting great compensation, because someone used a “bad word” at them and were rude in a particular way that upset them. Our ancestors weep.
Jennifer says: Ros,
Great post! As the granddaughter of a self made man, and the daughter of a self made man I am disgusted by anyone who trots this sort of legal “pig” into court and is compensated for it. We should not reward stupidity in this great nation. How the mighty have fallen.
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