Bank of America clerk fired for rant saying black people 'should go back to Africa'

originally posted by: Metallicus

originally posted by: Sremmos80
a reply to: mojoharry

Always good to side with the ranting person throwing out the slurs.

Lazy people come in all ethnicities.

I will always side with free speech even if I don't like what is being said.

Ahh yes. The almighty freedom of speech. Nothing like it huh? That's what makes this country so great right? Freedom of speech doesn't mean s#!@ when your real rights are being trampled on. Free speech my ass. Ever heard the phrase "fighting words"?

originally posted by: DAVID64
Did the woman say something stupid, Oh hell yes. Did she deserve to lose her job, No.
What you say and what you do, outside of work, is absolutely none of your employers business. As long as you do your job and do it right, it doesn't matter if you're a hooker or a volunteer for the homeless in your time off. Because of social media, companies have taken to thinking that every aspect of your life is their's for the taking.

Then people should not use social media to say stupid things that their employer may or may not see? Common sense is damn uncommon.

originally posted by: kaylaluv
a reply to: DAVID64

Her employer had every right to fire her. Because of her association with them, it makes them look like they might agree with her. There might even be some angry black people showing up where she works to cause big headaches for the bank. If she said it privately in her home, that would be one thing, but putting out for public consumption is a whole other issue.

Thank you Kayla. Can't for the life of me figure out why some people don't get that.

The moment this woman made her opinion of black people public, she became fair game, and opened herself up to action by her employer, and the media. I might have terminated her employment too. However, when is the last time a Black American, Mexican American, Asian American, and so on did the very same thing, in the very same way, and nothing happened. Not even a mention.

Black Americans deserve true equality in America, because they ARE Americans, not because a double standard has been created and enforced.

originally posted by: odzeandennz
Its always the same rethoric, its freedom of speech... its beliefs.. until those beliefs become actions. Then its a tragedy... theres beliefs,and hate camouflage as beliefs. God knows how long shes been thinking this, what if she was a nurse at childrens hospital and not a bank...imagine what those 'just beliefs could have manifested into...



People hate blacks for being black ,and hate them for being hated. What a way to live life... imagine a black parent explaining what a post like that means.

Wish I could give you more stars.

originally posted by: enlightenedservant

originally posted by: kaylaluv
a reply to: DAVID64

Her employer had every right to fire her. Because of her association with them, it makes them look like they might agree with her. There might even be some angry black people showing up where she works to cause big headaches for the bank. If she said it privately in her home, that would be one thing, but putting out for public consumption is a whole other issue.

Or more likely, African American clients can pull their money out of the bank. Sometimes I think people forget that most of us don't go to protest movements and rallies. Not to mention this happened in Atlanta, which has roughly a 50% African American population (within the city limits, not sure about the greater metropolis area). And there are plenty of wealthy and middle class African Americans in the Atlanta area, which would make the bank's association with racism even more costly.

That's what I'm talking about.

a reply to: tommo39


Someday, people will grow accustomed to the idea that their words get back to them...and to others.

The thought that the Internet is a protected place of free speech is, well... naivete.

originally posted by: kaylaluv

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: DAVID64
What you say and what you do, outside of work, is absolutely none of your employers business.

I've always found it funny that the US is made out to be like the pinnacle of freedom, and yet people can be fired because of what they believe or say in their personal lives. That's not freedom. We aren't free.

The first amendment only protects us from the government.

The employer should also be free to respond in a way that protects their interest.

To a lot of people here, freedom of speech means they can insult and disrespect anyone at any given time because, hey, I can say whatever I want to anyone. Go freedom of speech! These types of people will never learn. Worry about the right to disrespect people and neglect your real rights that are steadily eroded.

originally posted by: Klassified
However, when is the last time a Black American, Mexican American, Asian American, and so on did the very same thing, in the very same way, and nothing happened. Not even a mention.

I don't know.

a reply to: tommo39

As much as I side for free speech and individual freedoms, the bank has the freedom to fire anyone they want at anytime they want.

Social media isn't private. It is standing on a soap box in the middle of town shouting at the top of your lungs.

originally posted by: odzeandennz

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: DAVID64
What you say and what you do, outside of work, is absolutely none of your employers business.

I've always found it funny that the US is made out to be like the pinnacle of freedom, and yet people can be fired because of what they believe or say in their personal lives. That's not freedom. We aren't free.

Freedom for your employer to think your an (insert t&c violation here) and not want to employ you.

Being a racist is rightly not protected under employment law.

She has every right to have racist beliefs. It's no different than believing everyone else is an evil sinner who is going to hell because they don't worship your particular god - which IS protected by employment law.

She has every right to what ever beliefs she wants but her employer still has every right to fire her.

Even religious protections aren't absolute and if your religious beliefs interfered with your job (say calling customers sinners) then they have every right to fire you for that.

I understand what you're saying, but DID her beliefs interfere with her job? Did bank customers see her rant? Just because she felt the way she did, didn't mean she was going to work and being an ***hole to black customers. As long a she was doing her job in a professional manner and keeping her beliefs at home, I don't see a problem.
Everyone should have the freedom to express their honest thoughts. Nobody should have to fear being honest with their friends and family on Facebook or whatever social network they use.

It wasn't a message to family or friends or it wouldn't be an issue. It is the equivalent of handing out racist pamphlets..

So if she was handing out pamphlets telling people to give to the poor, would you still say the bank should be allowed to fire her for it?

Not in a civilized society.

Im not sure what youre defending... or how xan you try to pull technicalities out of this. Of all the tragedies which ensue after people get 'too deep' in just 'beliefs'. Actions not only speak lourder than words, they are often preceded by just words...

I wonder what native Americans think of that story..or every time a white tells another non white to go home...

Indeed, man.

a reply to: tommo39

Well, even if one feels that way, I suppose one should know better than to put it on facebook. I guess it's harder for others while in a fit of rage. Too bad she couldn't word what was frustrating her better.

originally posted by: kaylaluv

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: DAVID64
What you say and what you do, outside of work, is absolutely none of your employers business.

I've always found it funny that the US is made out to be like the pinnacle of freedom, and yet people can be fired because of what they believe or say in their personal lives. That's not freedom. We aren't free.

The first amendment only protects us from the government.

The employer should also be free to respond in a way that protects their interest.

It always perplexes me how people can't seem to remember this little factoid.

Given how much heat BofA got recently (not to mention the money they had to pay out) thanks to a discrimination claim, I would wager they are extremely sensitive right now to anything like this.

Not to mention that I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that her employment contract had some kind of social media usage clause, as well.

that was the reason for the purchase of Liberia in the first place.

But the Black People wanted to stay in America.

As bad as everyone made slavery out to be. They lived way better here than they ever did in Africa. Even today welfare and drug dealing is a better way to live than good ol' hard work ever was.

Peoples work ethic needs to change not the location.

a reply to: mojoharry
"Do something with your lives and your children's lives." -- Applies to people of any color. We have enough slackers of every shade to go around. ...And we have addiction, under education, poverty in all corners of our country.

I honestly question who and why this sort of ugliness gets such big broadcasting - We are being played. Divide and conquer.

The very last thing the United States needs right now is racial divisiveness. There is absolutely no way any par of a racist rant is defendable. This country has got to lace up it's boots, roll up its sleeves and get to work TOGETHER. We all have a past, we all come here with baggage. Get the F over it and get to work.

a reply to: Metallicus

And the bank exercisesed their freedom to not have her associated with their bank. They are a private business, and freedom of speech doesn't cover that. Or show me the clause in the Constitution. Free speech protects you from the state, not an employer.

originally posted by: Shamrock6

originally posted by: kaylaluv

originally posted by: trollz

originally posted by: DAVID64
What you say and what you do, outside of work, is absolutely none of your employers business.

I've always found it funny that the US is made out to be like the pinnacle of freedom, and yet people can be fired because of what they believe or say in their personal lives. That's not freedom. We aren't free.

The first amendment only protects us from the government.

The employer should also be free to respond in a way that protects their interest.

It always perplexes me how people can't seem to remember this little factoid.

Given how much heat BofA got recently (not to mention the money they had to pay out) thanks to a discrimination claim, I would wager they are extremely sensitive right now to anything like this.

Not to mention that I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that her employment contract had some kind of social media usage clause, as well.

Yep. Upon employment, she most likely had to sign a form stating she read and would comply with their terms and conditions. Every company I've ever worked for had an "employee handbook" which stated in extreme detail what was and wasn't allowed, what could cause termination, etc. And we always had to sign forms for it, as well as for drug tests and other things.

So in this context, the "freedom of speech" argument is kind of ridiculous. That's like people complaining about being banned on ATS for posting things that are explicitly mentioned in the T&C as being bannable offenses. (Hmm, is that how to spell "bannable"? Is that even a word? I think everyone knows what it means, which should qualify it as a word. But I'm not sure. hmmm...).

Back to the U.S. Back to the U.S. Back to the U.S.S.R

The real question here is this - how did the bank know what she said, and why is everyone else hearing about it?

People, you are being played. "Look over here! See what she said!! Be outraged!!" Meanwhile, pay no attention to serious racial problems, such as people being attacked for their skin color. Oh, wait, not a protected class, silly me!

The double standard is what really bothers me here. When bad employees are not fired, because an employer is afraid of a discrimination lawsuit, but an employee with no mention of a problem is fired, for a comment not made at work, there is a problem.

originally posted by: ChesterJohn
that was the reason for the purchase of Liberia in the first place.

But the Black People wanted to stay in America.

As bad as everyone made slavery out to be. They lived way better here than they ever did in Africa. Even today welfare and drug dealing is a better way to live than good ol' hard work ever was.

Peoples work ethic needs to change not the location.

Man, really???