Coaches Sue High School for Race Discrimination

In a twist on the usual cases of discrimination seen throughout the United States, two white coaches have recently sued their former workplace, South Bend Riley High School, for race discrimination.

Mark Johnson taught at the school for 15 years and recently retired, an action he feels he was forced to take. Bill Groves has been at the school for almost 40 years, acting as a coach, teacher and athletic director.

The complaints have garnered criticism and outright denial from the school.

What Is Discrimination?

Although many connect the term to race, discrimination applies to the unfair or prejudiced treatment of an individual based on a possessed trait. It can include many characteristics a person might have, such as the following:

• Age
• Gender
• Race
• Ethnicity
• Religion

A 2015 survey by the American Psychological Association found that most Americans feel they have experienced some type of discrimination in their lives. “It’s a disappointing truth that such disregard for others still exists,” says a workplace discrimination lawyer headquartered in Houston. Although most cases of racial discrimination are related to non-whites, just as age discrimination usually involves senior citizens, if Johnson and Groves can provide proof they were prejudiced against, their cases must (and should) be heard in a court of law.

The Allegations

Johnson filed a federal complaint last November, indicating he was unable to work in the school’s hostile environment. According to Johnson, he had previously filed a harassment complaint within the institution, but it was ignored. Afterwards, he was the only instructor not approved to teach during the summer, which effected his pension. Johnson also claims he was publicly accused of hidden racism on Facebook by a school board member, Leslie Wesley, whose son was on the basketball team. Further, Johnson states he was required by the principal to keep certain players on the team and that he received harassing emails from Wesley’s sister, who is the head guidance counselor at the institution. The emails are said to have contained such language as, “You have done African American males (on the team) wrong” and “I’m on to you.” Consequently, Johnson argues, the environment made him feel unable to continue coaching and teaching effectively. Groves is filing a federal complaint connected to South Bend Community Corp.’s decision to hire Saebe Gavin, an African American, as the district athletic director. Groves maintains the decision was purely race-based, as Gavin did not have as much experience or education as Groves for the position. According to NBC 5 Chicago, Groves’ complaint is being investigated. South Bend Riley High School’s district officials deny all allegations.

Discrimination in the Workplace

Regardless the outcome of these complaints, one lesson remains clear: no one should be discriminated against. Yet with the rise of the “Me Too” Movement and the 80,000 plus discrimination cases brought to court each year since 2007, it seems we still have a long way to go before we truly become a nation where everyone is treated equally.