Doyle Dennis Avery LLP recently filed a lawsuit in Harris County against Beck & Masten Buick GMC, Inc. (“Beck & Masten”) on behalf of a client who was subjected to race discrimination and retaliation. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client, who is a Black woman, was discriminated and retaliated against for reporting race discrimination. The lawsuit further alleges that Beck & Masten created a hostile and racist work environment.

During her employment at Beck & Masten, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client experienced significant race-based hostility. She was specifically called the N-word on at least four separate occasions. And in addition to actually being called the N-word, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client frequently heard her non-Black coworkers use the word generally, despite the client’s repeated requests for them to stop. Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client was also referred to as “swirl” because of her complexion.   

The anti-Black racism in the workplace at Beck & Masten was offensive, hurtful, and hostile. In all, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client suffered tremendously due to Beck & Masten’s racist and hostile environment. Following this treatment, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client reported the anti-Black racism to her supervisor. The lawsuit alleges that in response, the supervisor replied, “so you don’t like being called a [N-word]?” The supervisor and her other colleagues also broke out in laughter. Indeed, instead of addressing Beck & Masten’s racism in its workplace, including its non-Black coworkers say the N-word and Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client’s being called the N-word multiple times, her supervisor responded to her reports by repeating the racist word and mocking her.   

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP brought the lawsuit against Beck & Masten under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, which provides that all persons within the United States shall have the same right to make and enforce contracts and to the full and equal benefit of all laws as is enjoyed by white citizens. Section 1981 protects Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client because she suffered race discrimination and subsequent retaliation for reporting the race discrimination.

If you reported being subjected to racism in the workplace and your employer responded by suspending, terminating, or otherwise retaliating against you, contact Doyle Dennis Avery LLP to learn about your rights under the law.