Whatever special kind of brain worms have established themselves in Elon Musk’s noggin appear to be spreading throughout his companies.
In the midst of a state trial on behalf of over 6,000 Black workers at Tesla’s flagship factory in Fremont, California, attorneys for Musk’s electric vehicle argued that it’s acceptable to use the n-word in certain situations, insisting that it’s a “term of respect and endearment” in the Black community.
Sure, it’s true that many Black people have reclaimed the word. But the lawsuit is about non-Black Tesla employees and managers abusing Black workers — including allegedly hurling the slur at them in ways that don’t sound like anything resembling gestures of “respect and endearment.”
On top of that, the first witness called to the stand testified to the court that senior counsel for Tesla had tried to mislead him days before the trial, by claiming to represent the state, rather than the EV company, Electrek reported. Prosecutors allege four more potential witnesses were approached by Tesla’s lawyers prior to the case, who have since fallen “off our [the states attorneys’] radar” following possible deals, threats, or persuasion by the company’s counsel.
The jaw dropping gaffes emerged the first day of a major bench trial being prosecuted by the state of California, over an alleged pattern of rampant racism and negligence in Tesla’s massive production facility. Previously, Electrek reported that Black Tesla workers at the facility were subjected to racial prejudice by way of wage discrimination, segregation, and racial slurs.
According to numerous complaints filed by workers, plant management routinely used the n-word and reffered to the rank-and-file as “slaves.” That horrifying pattern of rhetoric earned the facility a reputation as a “plantation” among workers.
On top of that, Elektrek reported racist graffiti and swastikas regularly appeared in high-traffic areas, which Tesla management simply ignored.
The trial is expected to run into late October. Because it’s prosecuted by the state itself — rather than a traditional class-action — there’s no limit to the damages Tesla could be liable for if the state wins.
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