FAIR News: A Turning Point in the Fight for Equality

Aug 16, 2024

Illustration by Alina Spatz/*The Washington Post*

Dear Friends of FAIR:

Last week, The Washington Post did what most mainstream media haven't: it exposed the rise of discriminatory employee training programs. FAIR has been fighting against this cultural trend since its founding, championing individualism, equality, and free speech. We've supported lawsuits, led advocacy campaigns, and dedicated countless hours to highlighting these issues.

The Post's recent acknowledgment of discriminatory DEI training programs marks a significant shift, signaling that these issues can no longer be ignored. While the article didn’t delve deeply into the implications of these policies, it crucially highlighted how these programs can create hostile work environments, leading to civil rights violations. This coverage serves as a clear warning to employers.

We are thrilled that one of the lawsuits FAIR is backing made its way into the mix. Professor Zack De Piero was interviewed about his lawsuit against Penn State University, filed last summer. Many of you are familiar with the facts of Zack’s case, but it was refreshing to see the post honestly report them: “In August 2020, De Piero says he was required to watch a presentation captioned “White teachers are the problem.” During a breathing exercise the same year, De Piero claims white and other non-black faculty were told to hold their breath longer than Black faculty members so they could ‘feel the pain.’”

The article went on to document how Obama-appointed judge Wendy Beetlestone denied Penn State’s motion to dismiss Zack’s hostile work environment claim, noting that the Penn State trainings could in fact lead to legal liability under Federal law. Indeed, Kenji Yoshino, director of New York University’s Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, who was interviewed by the Post, opined that “the early ruling [in Zack’s case] could serve as a guide for what trainings should not do: negatively stereotype specific groups, such as White men.” And this is what makes our civil rights laws so powerful—they protect all Americans equally, regardless of skin color.

As DEI training spreads unchecked across the country, FAIR has been steadfast in its mission: No American should endure a racially hostile work environment—regardless of their skin color, ancestral history, or societal stereotypes. To ensure this, FAIR backs cases like Zack's, Tabia Lee's, and Tara Gustilo's, fighting for true equality. But we can't do it alone. Lawsuits are costly, and your support is crucial to continue this battle for justice. Stand with us by donating today to protect everyone's civil rights.

Warmly,
Leigh Ann O’Neill
Director, FAIR Legal

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FAIR Film Committee Presents: "Faces of X" with Stephanie Lepp

Join us on Tuesday, August 20th from 7:30-9 pm ET for the launch of FAIR in the Arts' Film Committee! In a webinar led by FAIR Arts Fellow & Film Committee Chair Michelle Pollino, we will screen "Faces of X"—a new video series that integrates different perspectives on divisive social issues, produced by filmmaker Stephanie Lepp. After screening, we will open up a guided conversation between Pollino, Lepp, and all of you. You will have the opportunity to take an issue you are wrestling with, steel-man the different sides, and attempt to create a synthesis. We will close by speaking about FAIR's Film Committee and our plans for the future.

Diversity Without Division: Is It Possible?

Join FAIR Colorado and panelists Jennifer Sey, Dr. Eddie Waldrep, Dr. Travis Morrell, Ronald Scott, and Biff Baker for this IN PERSON discussion on Thursday, September 12th at 6pm, in Denver, CO.

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FAIR News Podcast

For audio versions of our FAIR News and FAIR Weekly Roundup newsletters, subscribe and listen to FAIR News Weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or via RSS feed.

FAIR Educators Alliance & Other Networks

Connect with other pro-human educators through the FAIR Educators Alliance. We bring together educators from all levels to share experiences and work on developing resources that can support teachers, community members, and FAIR chapters.

Teachers, administrators, librarians, and educators of all kinds are welcome. For more information and to join any of these networks, please email educators@fairforall.org.