The company has widespread race issues

by Jeff Thomas

Symbols are necessary but not enough.  Our country needs corporate America to fully participate in the movement transforming society. Unfortunately most corporations aren’t ready for the new normal. While many are busy cleaning up past mistakes, like Aunt Jemimah and Uncle Ben, others do not have any Black people in positions to lead and guide the companies. American businesses must work hard to hire the talent and allow those people to make real changes.

But companies can’t exploit the movement.

Some companies have a recent history of workplace toxicity for African Americans. Yet these companies are still pushing full steam ahead to make money.  Capitalists see dollars in all this new Black is good thing happening. And they are rolling out new products and programming.

Media giant was hostile to African Americans

A quick history check is in order.  iHeart Media recently launched the Black Information Network. They say the network of stations is dedicated to African American points of view. Yet there are nearly $200,000,000 in current claims, settled suits and judgements against the company. iHeart has claims for gender or racial discrimination, hostile work environment, intentional infliction of emotional harm, and breach of contract in nearly every market across the country. These payouts predate the company’s bankruptcy filing.

Far worse than even horrendous Aunt Jemima symbols, the company is now attempting to come back from bankruptcy on the backs of the very people whom they harmed.  Compare them to the works of Gayle Benson, who has paid hundreds of millions to African Americans.  The Pelicans have had African Americans in high profile top jobs – Swim Cash, Dell Demps and Alvin Gentry to name a few. Ms. Benson is better suited to rebrand her beer company than iHeart.

Famous Actor Speaks Up

WBOK 1230 am partner, Wendell Pierce, notes the actions of iHeart in his tweet, where he states, “IHeart Media is a company proven to discriminate against its Black employees as it lost lawsuits across the nation. And now attempting to profit from the #BlackLivesMatter movement, we must be reminded of IHeart Media’s practices. This is a moment of national reckoning.  

During this transformation, we must remain resolute. We cannot become modern day Aunt Jemima’s and Uncle Ben’s.  We must hold these companies accountable for their current and past actions.  Groups exploiting the times for their own benefit must be called out.  Especially if those companies have a proven history of hostility and workplace discrimination against African Americans, we must call them out.