Fox News Allegedly Fires Employee Over Complaints of Racism

There is an old saying in Mississippi where I grew up: "If you want to know how white people really feel about black people...work with them."

For some reason, in the historically exclusive club of Corporate America, those white people prone to involuntary fits of racism let down their politically correct guard and spew out all forms of bigotry under the guise of humor. With those fits comes an assumption that successful African-Americans are more tolerant of racist sentiment.

Apparently, once black people reach the rung of the ladder typically reserved for those with a "House Negro" versus a "Field Negro" mentality, it becomes a case of social economics versus racism, and they are able to bear the brunt of marginalization by assimilating more completely.

Harmeen Jones, 32, didn't get that memo. As reported by the Huffington Post, in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York that named Fox News and seven of his former colleagues as defendants, Jones faced "daily abuse, fear and humiliation" from other employees because of his race, and when he eventually complained, he was fired.

Yes, Fox News proves yet again, even with the many decent white people in the world, they have a penchant for hiring the worst.

The complaint alleges that several of the defendants "continually made racist, sexist, and extremely offensive comments throughout the course of every working day. These comments concerned African-Americans, Arabs, Muslims, Hispanics, women, and Jews." Jones also claims he was often told, "you look like a gangster" or "like you're ready to shoot someone."

Among the most offensive alleged instances, two of Jones' white colleagues said they would not feel comfortable with a black president. When they realized he felt uncomfortable, one jeered, "Am I offending your blackness?"

While watching footage from a Tea Party rally, another co-worker allegedly observed, "This is what happens when you mess with white people's health care."

I'm sure many will join me in asserting that this is far from a rare occasion. Racism is so entrenched in the psyche of this country that instances reminding us it's still alive and well are frequent. My disappointment stems from the lack of support and fearful response when Jones confided in his African-American colleagues:

"Keep [your] head down and [don't] say anything."

Why are we still afraid to fight racism? Are we so mentally whipped, professionally subservient, and emotionally drained, that we accept insult as the status quo?

Are we not our brothers' keeper?

Jones ignored his co-workers' advice and finally did speak to the head of Human Resources. After a meeting with him and several of the defendants on September 24, 2009, Jones was fired. The complaint charges that the firing was retaliation for complaining about the discrimination.

Some with the "turn the other cheek" mentality may say it's his fault. He should have played his part, and bowed his head like a good boy. I vehemently disagree. If we don't stand together to destroy passive racism in this country, we are disrespecting everything our ancestors fought for.

My father often recounts the story of his freshman year at Milsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. The night Dr. King was assassinated, he had to sit in front of his dorm room with a bat as white students ran by screaming, "We got that coon!" An uncle had a bomb placed under his car for attending a white school. My grandfather was investigated by the Mississippi Sovereignty Commission because he was a business owner and involved with the NAACP.

These instances occurred because some white Americans attempted to use intimidation to cover their own insecurities. Blacks may have been integrated through a hard-fought battle, but many considered us property, and thus beneath them. We were unwanted, and they wanted us to know it. While we are no longer separate, there are still those who wish us to believe that we will never be equal...especially in the workplace. Unfortunately, Mr. Jones had to experience that firsthand.

"Fox News has not received a complaint and therefore cannot comment," a spokesperson said in a statement to the Huffington Post.