Word: leos
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Leo instead focuses almost exclusively on the secretly recorded tape. The Texaco executives were first reported in The New York Times as referring to blacks as "niggers" and "black jelly beans." He claims that the reference to "niggers" was later discovered to be a garbled pronunciation of "St. Nicholas," and the language about jelly beans was taken from a diversity seminar. Hence, Leo surmises, Texaco's image had been unfairly tarnished by a sensationalist media. He adds, "it's hard to shed tears for Texaco," but then proceeds to drum up more pity for the corporation, excusing another racist remark...
Although bad publicity may have been one of the factors that motivated Texaco to accept a settlement, it is preposterous to suggest that a corporation would pay the astronomical sum of $176 million merely to squash bad publicity. Leo's ridiculous assertion is not only unsubstantiated but also ignores hard evidence leveled against Texaco, such as the Justice Department's incriminating report. Furthermore, even his analysis of the recorded comments of Texaco's executives is a whitewash. The executive who referred to blacks as "black jelly beans" had indeed picked up this terminology from a black diversity instructor. However...
...Leo's attitude, unfortunately, is typical of much of the white establishment that persists in denying the impact of discrimination by ignoring evidence of racism and by seeking to apologize for it. He seeks to excuse yet another offensive incident at Texaco (a black woman was given a birthday cake featuring crude references to watermelon) by describing it bizarrely as "well meaning but racist...
Like many of those who control corporate America and share his warped mindset, Leo does not wish to confront the discomforting fact that each and every day millions of black Americans are unfairly denied employment and promotions, or insulted and intimidated at work. His arguments are not only unconvincing and ill-founded but are also representative of an ideology which seeks to defend the legacy of American apartheid and white supremacy: institutional racism. Instead of acknowledging the effects of racism and seeking to propose solutions, Leo brays about "bad publicity" and "questionable evidence." He fears that companies will "lurch toward...
...Despite Leo's distaste for discrimination lawsuits, the Texaco case sets a healthy precedent. If corporations will not combat racism on moral grounds, perhaps being forced to pay millions of dollars in atonement will spur American businesses to combat and prevent injustice...