Legal Question in Discrimination Law in New York
Race Discrimination, City Level
I am VP of a demolition co. We bid and won a job through the city, 18 structures. The pres. of the comp. went to the water dept. at city hall to request a permit for using the hydrants for dust control. A man who works for the city said'' Yeah some iranian towelhead @#$%^ was going to come in to pick up the meter. Are you stopping in for him?'' The president said no, I am him. Now the mayor is overseeing the job, as well as many offices in city hall. Its federally funded. I am absolutly irate!! I will be writing a letter to the mayor, as well as his supervisor, and whatever else I can do. I would really appreciate some advice on this matter.Its a very large city, and id like to bring attention to this matter, it may have happened to someone else.Thank you for your time.
--name removed--
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Race Discrimination, City Level
Of course you should pursue it. Not in the press, but firmly and with dignity. If this is New York City you are speaking about, that is the approach that will work best with Mayor Bloomberg. I have met the mayor at a public function and he is a no nonsense guy who employs people of every race, ethnicity and religion at Bloomberg News, his multinational corporation.
By the way, your experience is tragically an everyday occurance after 9-11 for Muslims, especially those who wear indentifiable religious garb; and Sikh cab drivers can tell you stories that will curl whatever hair is not under your headgear. Do not let it go by. Since you got the job there are not any tangible damages; but the intangible ones are just as bad.
We do not need an instant replay in the USA of the treatment accorded Japanese Americans in World War II at the internment camps. Invisible internment camps are just as deadly to a free society.
Re: Race Discrimination, City Level
It is not illegal to be a bigot or to express bigoted views. Sadly, neither is it illegal to be a moron and hold a government job; indeed, there appears to be a moron-placement office exclusively in charge of staffing city agencies.
The only thing that is illegal is discriminating against a person in one or more of his important life activities on the ground of his national origin, race, religion, etc. Nothing in your letter indicates that the pea-brain who insulted you was in a decision-making position or cost you a job or other tangible benefit as a result of his opinion.
There is no lawsuit here. Our society does not punish the expression of opinion, even offensive opinion. Most of us (myself included) believe our society is rendered far stronger by an open and robust exchange of ideas. Your recourse is more speech, of the sort most appealing to you. You could try educating the thug, charming him, challenging him, or suggesting that he do unspeakable things with his mother.
I leave the rest to you.
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