Human rights experts from the United Nations have criticized the current state of affairs in the United States with regard to racial and workplace discrimination experienced by minorities. In addition to workplace discrimination, the United Nations is also concerned about FBI racial profiling. Another area of concern includes “Stand Your Ground” laws, which allow individuals in Florida and 21 other states to use deadly force against an individual who is perceived as a threat.
According to a member of the United Nations committee that was reviewing the current state of discrimination in our country, gun violence has a disproportionate impact on individuals of minority racial decent. For example, only 13 percent of people in the United States are African American; however, African Americans account for 50 percent of homicide deaths. Stories of more than one black youth who died of gunshot wounds in Florida, including Trayvon Martin, were included in the committee’s discussions.
Unfortunately, numerous Florida residents face racial discrimination every single day — whether it is in public life or on the job. Sometimes this discrimination is subtle and not very visible — such as an individual being passed over for promotion or an individual not being hired because of his or her skin color. However, in other cases, the discrimination is out in the open and comes as the result of a toxic work environment that actually encourages such abuse.
Florida employees who are being victimized by workplace discrimination may be able to seek protection under the law. Not only may victims be able to file legal claims to put a stop to the abuse, but they might also be able to seek financial restitution for damages. In some cases, restitution could even include reinstatement in one’s former position in the case of wrongful termination.
Source: townhall.com, “U.N. experts grill U.S. on racial discrimination”, Stephanie Nebehay, Aug. 13, 2014