While it would be wonderful for racial discrimination to be a thing of the past, at least in the work place, that is far from the truth. If anything, many racially dangerous attitudes have emboldened again in recent months! Fortunately, federal law prohibits racial discrimination in the work place, but that does not make it easy to identify by any means.
Racial discrimination can begin before a person is ever hired, if they are hired at all. If an employer brings up race during the interview or hiring process, there is a chance that a person’s race was a factor in hiring or not hiring a certain person. This is a tricky area — under some affirmative action laws, a person’s race does obviously play a role. If you believe that your race kept you from getting a job, it is crucial to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to explore your legal options.
A far more likely scenario involves employers or colleagues who commit racist acts without necessarily understanding that they are in fact racist. For many individuals, the boundaries or racial discrimination are not well understood, so it can be very difficult to see one’s own prejudices, or prejudices baked into a way of doing business. Once again, proper legal guidance is always a wise choice in these cases.
No matter what your circumstances may be, you should not hesitate to enlist the guidance of an experienced attorney if you believe that you are the victim of workplace discrimination. With proper legal guidance, you can rest assured that your rights remain protected as you pursue justice.
Source: FindLaw, “Racial Discrimination in the Workplace,” accessed March 29, 2017
