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The city of Allentown, Pennsylvania is facing a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination within the government's workplace.
According to the Atlanta Black Star, Deputy City Clerk Tawanna Whitehead, a 15-year veteran within Allentown's city government, filed a federal lawsuit, detailing a pattern of racial hostility that's gone unchecked for years.
Whitehead alleged that high-ranking officials would casually use racial slurs and make racist comments.
In one instance, a city official allegedly used the term "Sand N****r" in front of Whitehead and other staffers. Whitehead said when she reported discrimination to human resources, her complaints were dismissed and she was told she wasn't a victim.
The situation came to a head in September 2023 after a councilwoman reportedly made derogatory comments about Black community members during a budget meeting and displayed hostility toward Black Lives Matter activists.
The local chapter of the NAACP launched an investigation, which found at least 10 other employees had faced discriminatory experiences similar to Whitehead's. In response to growing pressure, the city council launched an external investigation into the alleged racial discrimination.
Whitehead's lawsuit is seeking compensation for emotional distress and systematic change against discrimination and retaliation.
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