RACISM A FEATURE NOT A BUG FOR GOP
Internet Recoils in Horror Over Amy Coney Barrett Ruling That Says N-Word Does Not Make Workplace ‘Hostile’

A ruling by Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett that whitewashed racism in the workplace shocked the Internet this week.
In a recent report on Barrett’s notable opinions, the Associated Press highlighted a 2019 workplace discrimination ruling that Barrett wrote for a unanimous three-judge panel.
According to the the report, Barrett said that there was no evidence that use of the n-word “created a hostile or abusive working environment.”
The AP reported:
“The n-word is an egregious racial epithet,” Barrett wrote in Smith v. Illinois Department of Transportation. “That said, Smith can’t win simply by proving that the word was uttered. He must also demonstrate that Colbert’s use of this word altered the conditions of his employment and created a hostile or abusive working environment.”
Twitter users reacted in shock on Tuesday when attorney Jill Filipovic shared details of the case.
Here's a racial discrimination case that Barrett did decide, where she wrote that being called the n-word at work by your supervisor does not constitute a hostile or abusive work environment. https://t.co/BUG4vcSzJE pic.twitter.com/egSDRL6rpg
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) October 13, 2020
Many of the commenters wondered if Barrett would feel the same way if her adopted black children had been the subject of racial discrimination.
Read some of the comments below.
By definition, this does create a hostile work environment. Her opinion is just playing with words.
— Karen Beard (@makeyrvoicehrd) October 13, 2020
She’s going to be appointed no matter what. When the Supreme Court was founded our life spans were not that long therefore an appointment for “life”. That should be readdressed now as our life spans are longer.
— julieS (@julieS06365852) October 13, 2020
That is about as hostile as it gets.
— BlackPhysicists (@BlackPhysicists) October 13, 2020
one wonders if she would feel like a teacher “simply” used that word about one of her children would be a hostile or abusive learning environment? and honestly thinking about it I’m somewhat scared what her answer would be.
— Henry the Dog (@DogHerny) October 13, 2020
The Founders probably used the n-word all the time, so obviously it’s okay. Originalism ftw.
— BikeCrash (@Bike_Crash1) October 13, 2020
Holy shit! What the hell would she call hostile or abusive?!
— Roger Kuehler (@RogKuehler) October 13, 2020
How does one offer proof that “egregious” hostility changes ones subjective experience?
— “Their Words Matter” Ask Expect (@AskExpect) October 13, 2020
If this is what is going to be sitting on the highest court in the land then Democrats have no other option but to pack the court if they get the opportunity to do so!
— Glenn Jones (@GJonesNYC) October 13, 2020
Being called the N word at work does not constitute a hostile work environment, according to Barrett in one of her decisions. She is unfit on this decision alone. #SCOTUShearings
— Jennifer Jones (@jenjones207) October 13, 2020
This is craziness. There are few things more hostile than being called a subhuman by someone who employs you. She’s even worse than I thought.
— HL (@lindo_lh) October 13, 2020
And even Kavanaugh disagrees with her. He wrote. “No other word in the English language so powerfully or instantly calls to mind our country’s long and brutal struggle to overcome racism… a single, sufficiently severe incident may create a hostile work environment”
— Mr. Jason Wincuinas (@torridtext) October 13, 2020
She’s pro life I guess just not pro peaceful, fair and equal life 😡
— PinkPetals (@AmoreFiore17) October 13, 2020
She would
— …And Justice 4 @ll (@JusticeJustineJ) October 13, 2020
Wow. What century does she live in? The n word is per se perjorative, hostile and abusive.
— charlotte o’shay (@charlotte_oshay) October 13, 2020
So, if her kids get called the N word she’ll be like: pic.twitter.com/YCuKaVmPtQ
— Alejandra (@aleximenez) October 13, 2020
I hope we rally around her children when they are adults. The trauma that is happening in that house.
Instead of getting an appointment to the highest court in our country, she needs to be arrested for child abuse.
— JumpforJay (@JumpforJay) October 13, 2020
Oh, she gets it. She just wants to roll back employee protections at least 100 years.
— Brianna Chesser (@BriannaChesser) October 13, 2020
My daughter just said this to me. “That’s why she has the black kids, they’ll do all the work, watch, People already noticed them wearing the same clothes most of the time but the white kids are in new or different clothes.” She should not have Black kids
— MJ Dumas (@MJDumas) October 13, 2020
As an HR professional, how does the boss uttering the N-word NOT make it a hostile workplace? I mean, FFS… pic.twitter.com/h0Rml8hiPO
— Champagne Blonde (@ChampagneSane) October 13, 2020
Since she dragged her kids to the hearing, let’s be sure her two Black children get a copy of this.
— Lizzy B (@iLizzyBee) October 13, 2020
Wow…I feel sorry for her two adopted kids from Haiti. I wonder what they’re called when nobody’s around to hear.
— LouLou🇨🇦 (@chicalou246) October 13, 2020
Whitesplaining at its finest
— bart denijs (@bart_denijs) October 13, 2020
She has black children!
— D.A.M (@WellDAMGirl2020) October 13, 2020
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |