Race/Racism
‘Woke’ Firms Deny Discrimination Complaints and Black Farmers Are Still Denied Justice
Your weekly roundup of race and racism stories you need to know.
Despite its seasonal rhetoric on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, corporate America too often gives itself the benefit of the doubt when facing allegations of racism. Power will go to great lengths to preserve itself, and a few of the stories in this week’s roundup exemplify that — from financial services companies who use scorched-earth methods to discourage workers from lodging discrimination complaints, to White farmers suing to prevent the government from compensating Black farmers for decades of racist policies. But take heart — there’s some good news, too. We close with a link to a photo essay of a Black cowgirl who is carrying on her family’s championship rodeo legacy.
How forced arbitration policies preserve the whiteness of Wall Street
In the past year, a lot of Wall Street firms have issued statements about their commitment to diversity and their fight again racism and discrimination within their institutions. Well, according to this investigation by The Nation and Type Investigations, their actions aren’t matching their rhetoric. “What we found is that financial firms go to great lengths to keep complaints of racial discrimination quiet and push complainers out the door. Instead of responding openly and potentially nipping racism in the bud, companies often play hardball with those who complain. Black people who are forced to use Wall Street’s arbitration system face bleak prospects: Our analysis of 32 years of data shows that among 31 Black people who filed racism complaints, one settled and only two prevailed.” The article goes on to give examples of how financial companies didn’t just retaliate against Black employees who complained about discrimination — some set out to destroy their reputations and careers.
How the debate on “Critical Race Theory” is harming Black children
I could have filled this entire roundup with news and takes about the debate about the supposed teaching of critical race theory in schools. But there are a lot of particularly…
