UPDATE: A federal appellate court has just ruled that former educator Leslie Chislett can sue New York City for alleged “racial harassment” against white staff during anti-bias training sessions. This significant decision, issued by the US 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, overturns a previous lower court’s dismissal of Chislett’s lawsuit filed in 2019.
This ruling opens the door for a potential trial or financial settlement against the city. The court found that Chislett presented substantial evidence indicating that the Department of Education (DOE) ignored instances of racial harassment directed at her and other white employees during “implicit bias” training and workplace interactions.
Chislett expressed mixed feelings about the ruling to the New York Post, stating, “While the higher court’s decision is a long-awaited vindication, it does not restore to me the longtime career that I loved and was successful in.” She criticized the actions of former Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Chancellor Richard Carranza, stating their policies contributed to her feelings of humiliation and division within the workplace.
The court highlighted several troubling instances during the training sessions, including a senior executive from the DOE’s Office of Equity and Access declaring, “There is white toxicity in the air, and we all breathe it in.” The judges noted that negative stereotypes about white individuals were directed at Chislett, with colleagues accusing her of exhibiting traits of white supremacy during her tenure.
Specific examples of hostility included an incident in which a subordinate confronted Chislett, saying, “How dare you approach me out of your white privilege!” when she inquired about a lateness issue. Chislett reported that her complaints of harassment were largely ignored by higher-ups, including then-Deputy Chancellor LaShawn Robinson, leading her to take medical leave and eventually resign.
The court’s decision indicates that a reasonable jury could conclude that the administration tolerated a hostile work environment. Chislett’s attorney, Davida Perry, emphasized the importance of the ruling, stating, “With this decision, the court has made it clear that discrimination based on race will not be accepted in any form.”
This ruling follows a settlement in April 2024, where the city agreed to pay $2.1 million to three other white former DOE administrators who claimed they faced discrimination in favor of less-qualified candidates of color under Carranza’s leadership. Perry noted that since then, she has not received similar complaints under the current administration led by Mayor Eric Adams.
Both de Blasio and Carranza have denied implementing anti-white policies, and the DOE has referred inquiries about this case to the city Law Department, which has chosen not to comment.
As this case moves forward, it raises critical questions about workplace equality and the impact of diversity training programs in public institutions. The outcome could set a precedent for future cases involving claims of racial harassment and discrimination in educational settings.
Stay tuned for more developments on this urgent issue as it unfolds.
