The legacy of racism runs deep in this country, from its founding until now. Of course it's symptoms have become more subtle nowadays, nevertheless it still exists. Even here in liberal New York City the problem exists and it shows on the trains and buses, at least when it comes to the police force that keeps the peace for the MTA.
From WCBS TV:
The plaintiffs -- current and former detectives, officers and sergeants -- said the MTA permits its supervisors to exercise "unbridled discretion to deny African Americans and Hispanics opportunities for career advancement and equal earning opportunities while allowing for them to create a racially charged and hostile work environment."
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, asked for an order banning the MTA from discriminatory actions along with $8 million in damages.
The lawsuit said the plaintiffs in the lawsuit were subjected to blatant racist statements including the use of a racial epithet against blacks.
"The MTA Police Department is permeated with discriminatory intimidation, ridicule and insult whereby supervisors disparage the abilities of African-American and Hispanic officers and cause them to feel as though they are continually at risk of disciplinary action," the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit also accuses supervisors of discriminate treatment for non-whites including intense scrutiny of all their actions as opposed to relaxed supervising of white officers. When confronted about the problem by the officers, the plantiffs allege that the MTA threatened them by withholding promotions, assigning menial tasks and other denigrating activities.
|