Professor sues college official over alleged racist comment about white race.

A former Pennsylvania State University at Abington professor has filed suit against his former employer, claiming discrimination based on his race and violation of his free speech rights. He alleges that the school promoted a “race-based dogma and discrimination” that he spoke out against.

The lawsuit, filed earlier this month by Zack De Piero, a former English professor at the school, outlines several incidents where he believes he was targeted because of his skin color. Lawyers from the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR) are representing De Piero in the case.

According to the lawsuit, when De Piero complained about racial insults directed at white faculty in the writing department, the director of the Affirmative Action Office responded with derogatory remarks about the “White race” and suggested he attend “antiracist” workshops. De Piero also claims that university officials asked him to excuse poor academic performance from black and Hispanic students in the name of “social justice” and “antiracism,” and to “penalize” certain students’ scores based on their race.

De Piero and others were also required to watch racialized training videos with titles like “White Teachers Are a Problem,” which propagated the idea that all white people are complicit in white supremacy. The suit also alleges that former Assistant Vice President for Education Equity Alina Wong appeared to endorse looting in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.

FAIR legal advocacy managing director Leigh Ann O’Neill expressed concern about the widespread “institutional intolerance” at American universities and stated that they are supporting De Piero in standing up for his rights and the rights of his students.

In response, the university stated its commitment to diversity and equity, emphasizing its goal of creating an inclusive and respectful environment. However, De Piero, who is now a professor at Northampton Community College, claims that he faced a bullying complaint after criticizing one of the racialized presentations. The lawsuit argues that Penn State treated De Piero as the problem instead of addressing the racially hostile environment, leading him to leave the institution.

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