Kanye West, the outspoken rapper and fashion designer, is facing legal trouble after a former employee filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination. While Ye is known for his several controversies, being racist was not one of them until now.
The lawsuit centers around West allegedly terminating a Black employee because he refused to cut his dreadlocks. The suit was a pretty serious one and had images of Ye in the getup similar to the Ku Klux Klan’s.
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Employee Claims Kanye West Made Uncomfortable Work Environment And Unwanted Comments
The former employee, Benjamin Desho Provo, alleges that he was subjected to a hostile work environment and racially insensitive comments throughout his employment with West’s company. The lawsuit details specific instances where his hairstyle, dreadlocks, was directly criticized.
Allegedly, comments were made suggesting the hairstyle was unprofessional and did not fit the company’s image. According to Daily Mail, Provo claimed that Kanye began to become increasingly more aggressive. He stated that Ye said things like “Alright y’all, it is time for you to shave your heads. I am not messing around,” without any provocation.
He also talked about being especially targeted by Kanye and his managers. Additionally, Provo explained that he couldn’t change his hairstyle as had dreads due to religious reasons. Additionally, The lawsuit further claims that after the employee refused to alter his hairstyle, he was ultimately fired.
The lawsuit argues that this termination constitutes racial discrimination based on a protected characteristic under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits employers from discriminating against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
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When Kanye Boasted About Discriminatory Beliefs Against Jews At Donda Academy
This isn’t the first time Kanye West’s views have come under fire. The previous lawsuit adds another layer of complexity, alleging it’s not just hairstyles he takes issue with. According to the suit against Ye by Trevor Phillips, “Kanye boastfully and deplorably championed his deep-rooted antisemitism and hate for the Jewish people”.
While not as surprising due to Kanye being very open with his views about Jewish people, his boasting about his views in a school aimed at children is unacceptable. Additionally, Phillips even back then talked about West treating the black staff worse than the white employees. All in all Kanye or Donda Academy are yet to respond to the suits filed against them.
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