The Atlanta Hawks have been accused by a former employee of discriminating against whites in the workplace and creating a culture where white employees aren’t afforded the same opportunities as other groups. The employee Margo Kline, who is white, is suing the professional club and claims that when she voiced her concern regarding the company’s practice, she was subsequently fired. Kline served as a community development coordinator in the club’s corporate social responsibility department. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports:
Kline claims that the Hawks external affairs director David Lee, who is black, promoted a culture of discrimination against white people, especially white women.
Kline alleges that Lee was dismissive and exclusionary toward white employees and would often make jokes about “white culture,” hiring and promoting black employees — who Kline said were less qualified — over white people, according to the lawsuit.
Kline said the organization ignored her complaints and instead unfairly scrutinized her work and impeded her ability to do her job, often gossiping and ridiculing her. The lawsuit also alleges white coworkers were told not to speak with Kline or they could lose their job.
Kline was terminated by the club in March 2017 and is asking for punitive damages and a trial jury in her lawsuit. This isn’t the first time the Hawks have been involved in an alleged discrimination incident. In 2014 Deadspin reported that former Hawks General Manager Danny Ferry described then free agent Luol Deng in a scouting report written by scouts:
He’s got some African in him. And I don’t say that in a bad way, other than he’s a guy that may make side deals behind you, if that makes sense. Like he has a storefront out front that’s beautiful and great, but he is maybe selling some counterfeit stuff behind you.
As a result, of these reports Danny Ferry took an indefinite leave of absence which later ended in a buyout between the parties in 2015. The Hawks have denied the alleged claims of discrimination made by Kline and are prepared to defend themselves.
This, of course, is ridiculous, she is suing for not having white privilege, which is the definition of white privilege.