"Home Depot fires 60-year-old black man after Trump supporter screams racist abuse at him"

[rainlillie]

My husband and I called and left a message. I hope this guy gets his job back and the racist MAGAT should be banned from the store. If you'd like to make a call here's the number: 770-384-4646

"Home Depot in Albany allegedly fired a black man after a racist Trump supporter hurled abusive racial slurs at him.

The Times-Union reports that Maurice Rucker, 60-year-old black man, was let go from a job he’s held for 10 years—making $13 an hour—because he politely asked a customer to leash his dog in the store."
https://www.rawstory.com/2018/07/home-depot-fires-60-year-old-black-man-trump-supporter-screams-racist-abuse/

[atreides1]

1. He probably won't get his job back!

Remember the CEO of Home Depot is a Trumper and doesn't have any regard for blue collar workers...especially those who work for Home Depot!!

[exboyfil]

2. Somewhere someplace someone is oiling the guillotines

I love how the CEO's salary is listed as $11.6 M.

[dalton99a]

3. Kick

[gibraltar72]

4. Home Depot is on my don't go list

The founders disdain for liberals cemented that deal. My guess this guy is gonna get much better job offers.

[kimbutgar]

5. Home Depot was run by a right winger

So this is no shock. I wish Lowe’s or Orchard or Ace would offer him a job.

[Hortensis]

6. No, I won't be calling. Assuming this is an adequately

accurate version of the story, the employee broke required procedures and messed up good. I hope the manager's judgement was what it needed to be, but publicity will cause review by higher-ups.

In a large chain like that, over the year many potentially dangerous people walk in the doors. This ending is wrong in so many ways of course, but at least this is a sad firing story, instead of an escalation of rage story resulting in the tragic murder of this employee and perhaps other customers.

And deplorable as his wage level and lack of raises might be, they are irrelevant. If all the underpaid employees in this era were thereby entitled to break rules, all rules would have been smashed out of existence long ago.

[rainlillie]

7. That's your choice not to call.

Calling a POC the n- word is like slapping someone in the face. The employee had ever right to defend himself. I know someone who works at the depot, who happens to be white. He was written up a few times for not following proper procedure when it comes to safety issues. This guy should not have been fired. This type of policy is going to make it open-season on poc of color in that store. POC in this country need others to stand along side of them and stand up with them.

[Hortensis]

8. Well, perhaps review will result in restoring his job.

One never knows with these stories of remote events.

I don't think you should worry that this will cause open season on poc" in that store, and I'd be surprised if that one particular customer wasn't permanently banned.

[Tipperary]

9. Good post.

I have worked with the public in the past. I have met assholes. I learned early on to escalate a problem up the chain if someone was being a jerk.

[Hortensis]

13. Standing orders virtually everwhere. Pass the buck up

to the lucky person responsible for handling these situations and who has the authority to order Security to escort the jerk out.

Simple instructions, really. In chains like this they'll include a statement to recite as the boss is called in, then shut mouth.

[radius777]

18. Racial abuse is not normal harassment,

and really should be considered a hate crime anywhere it occurs - home, school, work, parks, pools, stores, etc.

And due to the inflammatory and personal nature of racial abuse, the victim should be expected to react and even overreact.

This racist is lucky he didn't get a shovel over the head - he got off fairly easily. Remember PoC customers and others who were there were also subjected to this act of racism, and themselves could've reacted.

[rainlillie]

10. There seems to be a disconnect here.

That man is a 60-year old black man living in New York state. Sure, he has dealt with racism before, but this is more than someone "being a jerk", being rude or just being mean. He was verbally assaulted... Called one of the most vile disgusting words in the English language IMO. He responded like a human being, not like a robot.

[Hortensis]

14. The worse others behave, the less affected THIS

human being becomes. It becomes clear they are not my equals, and I feel no emotional or moral impetus to engage on their chosen level.

At 66 I've forgotten far more insults and aggravations than I remember, but the contempt they generated lives.

[mnhtnbb]

11. a gofundme has been started to help Mr. Rucker

There is another thread on this story by someone who has heard Mr. Rucker play in his band, and also reports knowing the individual
who started the gofundme.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10902283

This is pure trumpism. Racist, verbally abusive white male gets this guy fired for doing his job. Home Depot never should have fired him.
The co-founders of Home Depot are both avid Trumpsters.

I am sick of seeing these stories. And to get the guy fired? Fu*k Home Depot.

Here's the gofundme thread: https://www.gofundme.com/injustice-in-the-518/

[rainlillie]

12. Thanks for the info and THANK YOU for getting it.

[Cha]

15. Thanks for that.. I'm happy people are

doing this to help him! Encouraging but this is bizarre! Except the part about home depot being owned by freaking traitors now that trump has exposed himself.

[Liberal In Texas]

16. Update: He's getting his job back...

Editors note: According to an email sent to Raw Story Friday afternoon by Matthew Harrigan — Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at The Home Depot — Maurice Rucker has been offered his job back.

In the email, Harrigan wrote: ” I’m reaching out from The Home Depot to provide an update regarding Maurice Rucker. We’ve taken another look at this and we are offering Maurice his job back. Would you mind updating your story?

(According to the Raw Story link in the OP)

[NY_20th]

17. I knew this wouldn't fly in my area.

Now give Maurice a raise as well.

[mnhtnbb]

19. He's been offered his job back but no word

if he will accept.

I don't know if I'd trust it. They could reduce his hours so he wouldn't be eligible for benefits or wait until things cool off and then lay him off. I wouldn't trust it.

The GoFundMe has raised $1145. for him so far.