Black, White or Gray (New York Times)
Mr. Thomas is black, and he believes that his treatment is a result of racial discrimination.
On May 17, Mr. Thomas, who uses the first name Marc, sued G.E. He insists that racism is pervasive at G.E., not only at his unit's headquarters in Irving, Tex., but throughout the company, which is based in Fairfield, Conn. He is seeking to have the suit certified as a class action.
まず、この記事のネーミング・センスのよさに座布団を1枚。
内容としては、一種の典型的な企業内の人種差別問題なのですが、GEという米国を代表する先進的企業で起きたということが衝撃を与えているようです。
企業側(GE側)(WHITE)、黒人労働者側(BLACK)双方からの見方をバランスをとりながら紹介しつつ、最後に残る"GRAY ZONE"について次のように記者は述べます。
Both sides are marshaling their arguments. But already the suit offers an example of how people can look at the same numbers and draw opposing conclusions.
It shows that no matter how race-neutral its policies, no company can be certain that it has rooted out racism, particularly in locations far from where policies are set. It offers a powerful illustration that employees who feel wronged will not be satisfied by diversity programs or statistics showing that others in their group are progressing.
この事件の結論がどうなるかということは別に、色々な識者のコメントを含めて人種差別という問題が今なおアメリカ社会に根深く残っていることを印象付ける記事でした。
