Police and the FBI are investigating after members of the University of Utah women's basketball team reported being racially harassed in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where they were staying for the NCAA Women's basketball tournament. The team said individuals in trucks displaying confederate flags yelled racial slurs and followed them back to their hotel. The incident has sparked condemnation from local officials, the NCAA, and Idaho governor Brad Little, highlighting the troubling growth of a toxic environment fueled by organized extremist groups.
Tesla has settled a lawsuit with a Black former factory worker who claimed he faced severe racial harassment at the company's Fremont, California assembly plant. The settlement comes after a jury initially awarded the worker $3.2 million in damages, with a subsequent jury awarding him $137 million, which was later deemed excessive. The worker alleged daily racial slurs and racist conduct at the plant, with Tesla denying liability and stating it does not tolerate discrimination. The company faces similar discrimination claims from other employees and a pending class action lawsuit.
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has pleaded not guilty to charges of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer stemming from an incident in early 2023. Kerr, a high-profile player in women's soccer and a national hero in Australia, has not publicly commented on the allegations. The Football Australia organization has stated that their focus remains on supporting all players, both on and off the field, while Kerr's attorney and Chelsea have not yet responded to requests for comment. Additionally, Kerr's recent ACL injury is expected to sideline her for the remainder of the 2023-24 Women’s Super League season and likely the Paris Olympics.
Chelsea and Australia women's national team striker Sam Kerr is set to stand trial in London next February for alleged racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. Kerr pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stems from an incident in Twickenham in January 2023. The 30-year-old soccer star, known for her prolific career and leadership in the sport, is facing trial while recovering from a torn ACL that will sideline her for the remainder of Chelsea's 2023-24 season.
The Hampden District Attorney’s Office is investigating reports that white students at a Massachusetts school set up an online slave auction where they "bid" on Black classmates, with racially charged bullying and derogatory insults also reported. The NAACP has condemned the behavior, and the DA's office has pledged to vigorously investigate and prosecute any criminal violations related to the alleged incident.
A former state department official, Stuart Seldowitz, has been arrested and charged with racial harassment and stalking as a hate crime after he was filmed berating a street vendor in Manhattan with Islamophobic comments. The vendor, Mohammed Hussein, received an outpouring of support from customers as he returned to work. Seldowitz repeatedly harassed Hussein, calling him a "terrorist" and making derogatory remarks about Islam. The incident was captured on video and widely denounced by political leaders. Seldowitz's employer cut ties with him, and a lobbying firm offered to represent Hussein pro bono. Seldowitz claimed the vendor had instigated the incidents, but later admitted to overreacting and expressed regret.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Asphalt Paving Systems, accusing the Florida-based company of creating a hostile environment for its Black employees. The lawsuit alleges that the employees were subjected to racial harassment, including being called racial slurs and being forced to work in demeaning conditions. The Black employees were also allegedly forced to relieve themselves outside while white employees were allowed to use indoor bathrooms. The EEOC is seeking compensation for the employees and the implementation of policies to eradicate the company's unlawful practices.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a federal lawsuit against Tesla, alleging racial harassment and discrimination against Black employees. The lawsuit claims that Tesla violated federal law by subjecting Black employees to racial abuse, stereotyping, and hostility, including the use of racial slurs. The EEOC also alleges that Tesla retaliated against employees who opposed the harassment. The EEOC is seeking back pay for victims and an injunction against Tesla's alleged discriminatory practices. Tesla has stated that it opposes all forms of discrimination.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, accusing the electric car maker of tolerating widespread racial harassment of its Black employees and retaliating against those who spoke out. This comes after a state civil rights agency in California previously sued Tesla over similar allegations, and a jury ordered the company to pay $3.2 million in damages to a Black former worker who experienced racist discrimination. Tesla had engaged in a conciliation process with the EEOC, but it was unsuccessful, leading to the current lawsuit.
Lizzo is facing another lawsuit, this time from a wardrobe designer who worked on her 2023 tour, alleging racial and sexual harassment, disability discrimination, illegal retaliatory termination, and assault. The lawsuit claims that Lizzo oversaw a hostile work environment, with allegations of body-shaming, explicit group chats, discussions of hiring sex workers, and drug use. Lizzo's spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit as a "bogus, absurd publicity-stunt." This comes after a similar lawsuit was filed by three former touring dancers. The plaintiff seeks unspecified damages.
Lizzo is facing another lawsuit, this time from a stylist who alleges a hostile work environment characterized by racism and bullying. The lawsuit accuses Lizzo and supervisors of sexual and racial harassment, disability discrimination, retaliation, and assault. The claims build upon allegations from former tour dancers who accused Lizzo of pressuring them to engage in sexually explicit acts. The stylist claims to have witnessed discussions about hiring sex workers and attending sex shows. Lizzo's representatives dismissed the lawsuit as an "absurd publicity stunt."
Lizzo is facing another lawsuit, this time from a former tour employee who alleges racial harassment, sexual harassment, and inappropriate working conditions. Asha Daniels claims she was subjected to racist and fatphobic comments, grueling work hours, and was even injured on the job. She says she reported the behavior to Lizzo's management team but was eventually fired. This comes after Lizzo was sued last month for similar claims of sexual harassment. Daniels is seeking damages for unpaid wages, loss of earnings, and more. Lizzo has denied the allegations.
Susan Louise Lorincz, a white woman, has been charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery, and two counts of assault after fatally shooting her Black neighbor, Ajike Owens, through a closed door in Ocala, Florida. Neighbors have reported that Lorincz had a history of harassing area children and using racial slurs against them. At least two of Owens' children witnessed the shooting. Lorincz had been angry because Owens’ children were playing in a nearby field and “engaged in an argument” with the children, the sheriff’s office said.
Founders Brewing Company announced the closure of its Detroit taproom just hours after a Black former employee filed a discrimination lawsuit alleging racial harassment. The employee claimed she was treated differently than white managers, subjected to racial slurs, and had her hours reduced after complaining. This is the second time Founders has been sued for racial discrimination. The company settled the previous lawsuit in 2019. Founders stated they are conducting a thorough internal investigation and are deeply sorry for any negative experiences.
Former Tesla employee Owen Diaz, who won a racial harassment lawsuit against the company, has been awarded $3.2 million by a federal jury in San Francisco, significantly lower than the $15 million Diaz rejected last year in favor of a new trial. Diaz had accused Tesla of failing to respond to his repeated complaints about racist slurs, swastikas, and racist caricatures while he was working as an elevator operator at the Fremont factory. In 2021, another jury awarded Diaz $137 million, comprised of $7 million in damages for emotional distress and $130 million in punitive damages, which was lowered to $15 million by US District Judge William Orrick. Diaz rejected the judge’s lowered award, opting for a retrial instead. The jury ultimately awarded Diaz $175,000 for emotional distress and $3 million in punitive damages.
