|  

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Jury decides Nucor created racially hostile environment

Posted by Chris Haire on Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 7:47 AM

Things aren't looking too good for embattled Charlotte-based steel company Nucor. Not only are they facing a class action lawsuit in Chucktown concerning charges of allegedly fostering a hostile racial environment at its Berkeley County mill, but now a U.S. District Court in Arkansas has decided that the company is guilty of racial hostility against black employees at its Blytheville, Ark., mill.

Now before you get all anti-PC PC, and Lord knows this post will likely attract a fair amount of I-may-be-white-but-I'm-a-victim-too tomfoolery, consider this bit from a press release from the attorneys representing the plaintiffs before getting all in a huff:

"The Court noted that 'white employees burned a cross in the roll mill department and covered their heads in hoods,' a supervisor hung 'a chicken with a hangman's noose in another black employee's workstation,' and 'repeated racial slurs, nooses, and similar items hung in the roll mill department, and racially offensive graffiti on bathroom walls."

Not good.

Closer to home, a group of current and former Nucor Berkely workers have claimed that this type of behavior has also taken place at the Huger, S.C., mill. According to a press release from Alabama-based law firm Wiggins Childs, Quinn & Pantazis and Charleston-based firm Derfner, Altman & Wilborn:

"[W]hite supervisors and employees frequently referred to black employees as 'nigger,' 'bologna lips,' 'yard ape,' and 'porch monkey.' White employees frequently referred to the black employees as 'DAN,' which stood for 'dumb ass nigger.' These racial epithets were broadcast over the plant-wide radio system, along with 'Dixie' and 'High Cotton.' Monkey noises were also broadcast over the radio system in response to the communications of black employees. The display of the Confederate flag was pervasive throughout the plant, and items containing Nucor's logo alongside the Confederate flag were sold in the plant's gift shop. Additionally, several e-mails that depicted black people in racially offensive ways, such as by showing them with nooses around their necks, were circulated by various employees.'"

According to The Post and Courier, an appeal from Nucor may keep the case from going to trial for years or it may hit the court next year.

Topics: Local Politics

Tags: , ,

Comments (4) RSS

Showing 1-4 of 4

Add a comment

was that the flag of heritage?

Posted by boelco on November 4, 2009 at 9:06 AM | Report this comment

Tomfoolery? Victim is Victim no matter what the race. Try not tom minimize white victims by using the "TOOMFOOLERY" term in your next article. It's sad that the Confederate Battle Flag has been hijacked by fools, and racists. Just a little info for those who buy into the Confederate Flag bashing......Under which flag was slavery instituted? Under which flag was slavery continued after the civil war ended? THE GOOD OLE STARS AND STRIPES! The flag we fly to day(close rep.) Further Abraham Lincoln didn't free all slaves just the states in rebellion. Try to read, PC Rednecks!............Racisim is something that will be around as long as there are humans. Is it right? No, but see it for what it is, and refuse to think because one fool does it that it's an institution. Those days are long gone. Only the Jessie Jacksons and AL Sharptons of the world want to keep it goin. Otherwise they would have to get a real job. Just remember one thing and this is directed at the yankees who feel superior to us good ole southern redneck types.......Slavery was not unique to the South nor was or is Racism.

Posted by Ken29404 on November 4, 2009 at 10:16 AM | Report this comment

I think NUCOR should get raked for this. Whether one is conservative or statist is really irrelevant.

Posted by travelah on November 8, 2009 at 3:57 PM | Report this comment

This is terrible all around. Because of this, I could see Nucor closing it's doors and many good folks who didn't have anything to do with this will likely lose their jobs.

It is hard to imagine that today, things like this really go on. I feel for all of the innocent folks and victims of hate who will be negatively affected by this.

Posted by Craig D on November 9, 2009 at 10:27 AM | Report this comment

Add a comment

Classified Listings
  • Samos Taverna I had a fantastic appetizer special (grilled eggplant with kasseri cheese and roasted tomatoes) and… -jessicabcd
  • Soda Water Grill I visited Soda Water today for lunch. I arrived around 11:30 and left about 12:10… -Shotgun
  • Bambu The night before a group of out-of-town friends were about to depart, I suggested we… -MassGirl4
  • Zen Asian Fusion one word "WOW"!

    Food, service, decor went very well with the name.
    …     -Crista516
  • Mike Calder's Buffalo Pub Solid spot for a good guiness and good food. Went for dinner last week. The… -joshl725
Most Viewed


Powered by Foundation   © Copyright 2010, Charleston City Paper   RSS