I really can't understand the Town's seemingly mild response to racist graffiti discovered at the Town Operations Center. Given that there have been no consequences for the previous incident, it's not surprising that the hateful vandal struck again last week.
Chapel Hill Police are investigating the first incident and have not charged anyone. Town Manager Roger Stancil has said the culprit could be fired.
- newsobserver.com: Racist graffiti found in Chapel Hill offices, 7/10/08
How the hell does this happen? And what does the manager mean "the culprit could" be fired? Under what circumstances would you not fire an employee who publicly directs hate speech at another employee?
Issues:
Comments
due process
Not just could . . .
Not just could . . . would. There has to be the appearance and reality of impartiality and absence of prejudice (on the part of the finder of fact, if not the accused).
On the other hand, obviously someone who is creating a racially harassing workplace is going to have to go or the Town would be exposing itself to considerable potential liability under federal law. So regardless of the manager's quotes in the paper, it seems clear what will happen if an employee is shown to have done these things.
Presumption
Could the culprit be someone other than an employee?
no
The Public Works buildings in question aren't public-access anymore. You have to have a badge or be escorted by an employee.
-Bryn
Oh jeez, this is bathroom
Presumption II
It is very important to be patient. There are the famous Buddhist parables of a man being afraid of a snake he sees on a path, but when he shines his flashlight on the snake he finds it was only a rope.
There are several scenarios I could imagine as to who wrote the graffiti; from it being written by a white racist, to it being written by the victim himself. It could have even been written by a nun!
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_13_96/ai_55909692
From all the articles I have read it sounds like it is being investigated. Let's be driven by our facts and not by our assumptions. And let's respond with compassion instead of fear.
Interesting question...
"How the hell does this happen? And what does the manager mean "the culprit could" be fired? Under what circumstances would you not fire an employee who publicly directs hate speech at another employee?"
Answer: How about if the culprit is not discovered? Let's not read into the manager's words too much because he's only doing his job. If he said "the culprit will be fired" and the "culprit" is not found, then he would be speaking an untruth.
Chapel Hill to Host Community Conversation on Race
Disparity