View as WebpageOctober 2024 Newsletter

Hello

Amanda,

Divine assignment & the weight of servant leadership

In the tapestry of serving humanity, we are called to embrace the gifts bestowed upon us by the Divine. A journey filled with moments of light illuminating our path, yet intertwined with shadows of darkness and despair where evil seems to hold sway. It is these very moments that test our faith, challenging our resolve to continue the fight for love, truth and kindness.

In these times of struggle, we draw strength from the ancestors of social justice and social change, whose unwavering commitment to righteousness guides us through the storm. We stand firm on the principles woven into our very being, knowing that the forces of good will prevail over adversity.

Navigating the turbulent waters of social justice, men and women of faith and leadership face immense pressures and expectations. The weight of moving hearts and minds towards justice can feel overwhelming, yet it is a duty bestowed upon us, not just a mere task. Reflecting on the legacy of trailblazers like Martin Luther King, Jr., I am reminded that the path to righteousness is fraught with challenges and sacrifices. Like Moses leading his people through the wilderness, we may encounter obstacles that seem insurmountable. Yet, just as Joshua carried forth the torch and completed the mission, so too must we persevere in our journey towards a better world.

In the solitude of self-reflection, I find solace and clarity. Few truly understand the profound responsibility of being tasked with a divine assignment rather than a simple job. That is what the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has been for me over the past 6 years and 5 months, a divine assignment. It is in these moments of communion with my inner self that I find the courage to continue, guided by the benevolent hand of the Creator of the Universe.

May we be inspired by the legacies of those who came before us, as we march forward in the footsteps of giants, undeterred by the challenges that lie ahead. For in our unwavering commitment to righteousness, we embody the essence of true leadership and service to humanity.

Together, let us rise above the darkness, embracing the light within us, and fulfilling our sacred duty to bring about a world of compassion, justice, and lasting change.

Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW

Executive Director

A response to the alleged racist incident at Gettysburg College

Amanda Brothman

Communications Director

In September, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission was made aware of an incident at Gettysburg College where a student allegedly carved a racial slur on a teammate. According to a statement provided by the school and the student’s family, an investigation is underway, and the individual involved is no longer enrolled at Gettysburg College.

“As various investigations play out, I want to affirm the PHRC stands committed to making sure everyone has the right to education, employment, housing, commercial property, and public accommodation free from discrimination,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “I urge anyone who feels they have experienced discrimination to contact the PHRC and file a complaint. It is only through speaking up about our experiences that we can end hatred and discrimination in the Commonwealth."

In education, it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on race. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) offers protection in K-12 schools and the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (PFEOA) offers protections for colleges, universities, trade, technical, professional, and business schools.

“Incidents of discrimination and hate should have a zero-tolerance policy on college campuses,” PHRC Director of Education & Outreach Desiree Chang, M.S. “The PHRC offers training tailored to the specific needs of the college, organization, or company. Through training and education, we hope to promote equal opportunity, and help communities, public agencies, businesses, and schools prevent or eliminate illegal discrimination from happening in the future.” 

In 2024, the PHRC established a Civil Rights Outreach Division to address civil tensions, conflict, and incidents in communities and promote anti-racism through education and outreach. Through this division, the PHRC:

• Provides complex facilitation and conflict resolution services for communities facing conflicts and tensions related to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, LGBTQ+ status, national origin, familial status, or disability status pursuant to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
• Provides training and consultation services to public officials and community representatives and provide them with the skills and mechanisms necessary to prevent and resolve future tensions.
• Leads local projects or initiatives in conjunction with communities to prevent conflict.
• Engages in proactive outreach to educate the public about the dangers of bias and hate and the importance of anti-racism.

The PHRC does not have the authority to charge or investigate hate crimes or criminal offenses; however, the PHRC Civil Tension Reduction Task Force tracks incidents reported to us. The PHRC can also help determine if the incident violates the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. To report a hate crime, contact your local police department or the Pennsylvania State Police.

Education advocacy by and for the next generation

Desireé Chang

Director of Education & Outreach 

In a national election year with less than two months until our new commander in chief is named, there is no shortage of propaganda and next term promises. Every social media thread, newsletter, television broadcast and radio station is covering various topics from the economy to war torn countries to progresses in the next generation. In the vast array of headlines and click bate, it’s important to remember the cornerstones to our democracy. Asking ourselves what does success look like and how do we achieve it? Education is a tool in the pipeline to American success. Thus, it is imperative that of all the political interests we may have, we pay special attention to what is being discussed in the space of education. Additionally, becoming active when we see things occurring that we do not want for the next generation. Education advocacy is always important, with all elections – from local school boards to the highest office in our nation.

Advocacy in education is a powerful tool for promoting civil rights, ensuring that all students have equal access to quality education regardless of their race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or ability. As society grapples with issues of inequality and injustice, advocacy becomes essential in fostering an educational environment that supports and uplifts every student. Presently, we are divided on many key issues with education being one. Efforts to stifle marginalized voices are gaining traction through mass book bans and policies that ignore students’ identities even to the extent that student personal choices are being disclosed without consent. If ever that was a time for advocacy and empowerment, it is now.

One of the primary goals of advocacy in education is to empower students. Student voice is influential but many times, due to cultural norms that place minors in a place of submission, they do not feel emboldened to speak up when choices are being made on their behalf that they do not support themselves. It is true there is a responsibility on adults to make informed decisions that children may not have the experience or capacity to fully grasp however, it is vital that in changing times those most greatly impacted are at least consulted. As adults, we must ask ourselves why we are making the decisions we are – is it truly for the best interest of the next generation or as a result of our own perspectives that are likely being influenced by a time that is nothing like that of today? Decision makers are not just parents on behalf of their children but at a larger level our democracy is setup in the very same fashion. A few decision makers are tasked with making choices that affect the greater majority. This is why advocacy is so critical. Advocacy allows for those that are impacted to speak on the issues that matter most to them and encourage those making the decisions to do so in a manner that fits. Further, advocacy is used as a tool to identify and address systemic inequalities.

Historically, marginalized groups have faced barriers to equitable education, including inadequate funding, discriminatory policies, and lack of representation in curricula. Advocates work to expose these disparities and push for reforms that promote fairness and justice. For instance, initiatives that advocate for equitable funding models can help ensure that schools in low-income areas receive the resources they need to provide high-quality education. By highlighting the link between funding and student outcomes, advocates can drive policy changes that benefit underserved communities, ultimately contributing to the dismantling of systemic inequities.

When students see advocates fighting for their rights and needs, it fosters a sense of agency and encourages them to speak up for themselves. Advocacy can help create environments where students feel valued and heard, promoting their academic success and personal growth. As we continue to confront the challenges of inequality and injustice, the role of advocacy in education remains essential. It is not only about protecting the rights of students but also about building a more just and equitable society for future generations.



As we approach the opportunity to exercise our right to vote, allowing our voices to be heard in the hopes that the choices being made on our behalf is truly in our best interest, I encourage us to do the same on behalf of our students. Let us see value in the voice of the next generation and lay the foundation for what they want to see in their inheritance of this world. 

Upcoming Education Division Events

October 24, 2024, 5pm-8pm: HBCUs Matter: Understanding their impact on education and society, panel discussion at the African American Museum of Philadelphia. Register today!

Will discrimination win?

Deven A. Price

HRO Compliance Team Leader



On November 5, 2024, our nation will conduct its 47th presidential election and to say the least the stakes are intense and high. Traditionally, the presidential election involves the two major political parties with two different views on which vision the nation will prioritize in solving the trending issues the country faces for the following four years. It would be an understatement to mention that this year’s election is not like any other in the nation’s history.

Of course, the trending issues involve the traditional issues of the nation’s security, economy, and civil rights, however, this year’s election has elevated contentions because of the overt discrimination involved that has distracted potential voters from the attention to the traditional issues like never before.

In the beginning of this election cycle, the two candidates for the top job were protected classes, sex (Male), race (White), and age (40+); the former president, 76 years of age, and the incumbent president, 78 years of age. Alongside their visions for the nation’s direction for the next term were concerns, via the media, about the incumbent’s “fitness for duty and mental stability.” In what I called the “silverback in the room,” were the numerous amounts of stereotypes and unmentioned innuendos linking those concerns to his age without mentioning that these concerns, from both parties, were discriminatory on its face. In July 2024, the increased vocal concerns grew louder, more overt, and eventually pressured the incumbent to concede from his pursuit. In my opinion, there was no “hear or see something say something,” the country was persuaded that the incumbent’s action was the right thing to do, and as a result, discrimination was allowed to win.

Also in July 2024, the incumbent and his party subsequently endorsed his vice president; protected classes, sex (Female), race (Biracial: African American and Indian), and age (40 but considerably younger than the former president candidate). Now, alongside the traditional trending issues and different visions of the country, is the added attention to the differences in the two candidates’ characteristics (protected classes). In just these two short months following this election cycle change, there have been just as much media, if not more, focus on the not so “elephant in the room” type of discrimination as there is the focus on the nation’s important issues. The discrimination is front and center and is no longer mere under current comments and innuendos.

As such, this year’s presidential election has already been unlike no other past elections and will be historic for several reasons. In my new opinion, the remaining question is not who will win or which party will prevail on the nation’s future, but will discrimination be the major factor and will it again win?

Supreme Court rules adverse actions don’t need to be “material” to be discriminatory

Stacy McNaney

Assistant Chief Counsel

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, Missouri, 601 U.S. 346 (2024). The Muldrow decision significantly expands the scope of what constitutes an adverse action in employment discrimination cases under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C.A. § 2000e-2. Title VII is a federal law that protects individuals from discrimination in employment on the basis of, among other classes, sex.

The plaintiff in Muldrow, a female police officer, sued the St. Louis Police Department alleging it discriminated against her in the terms and conditions of her employment based on sex when she was replaced by a male officer and transferred to an administrative position. Her rank, salary, and benefits remained the same. Muldrow alleged that the transfer constituted an adverse action because she lost the perks of her prior position—including wearing plain clothes, driving an unmarked vehicle, and not working weekends. Muldrow, 601 U.S. at 351.

The lower court found that a job transfer must result in a “materially significant disadvantage” in order to support a discriminatory terms and conditions claim, and that the minor changes in working conditions Muldrow alleged did not rise to that standard. Id. at 359. The Supreme Court rejected the “material significance” test and held that a plaintiff can establish a Title VII discrimination claim by showing any disadvantageous change in the terms or conditions of employment. See id.

The Muldrow ruling is a big win for aggrieved employees. A plaintiff no longer has to show that an adverse employment action (such as a lateral transfer) made because of a protected class is significant, material, or serious to establish a discrimination claim under Title VII. However, Muldrow does not change the way courts may look at other types of discrimination claims, such as retaliation. PHRC investigators should apply this new standard in cases alleging disparate treatment based on a transfer or other change in the terms and conditions of employment. Please reach out to the Office of Chief Counsel if you have any questions during your investigations.

PHRC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who attended our Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff event in Lancaster! Your presence and enthusiasm made the celebration truly special.

Join us later this month as we continue to honor and celebrate Hispanic culture and contributions.

One Community – Connecting Latinos with Community Partners and Resources

• Friday, October 4, 2024
• 6-8 p.m.
• Lancaster Cigar Bar 25 W King Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
• Register today!

Navigating Mental Health in Immigrant Communities: Legal, Social, and Psychological Barriers

• Thursday, October 10, 2024
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Teams Meeting (Virtual Panel)
• SPEAKER: 
• Jaime Inclan, Roberto Clemente Center Director  
• Dr. Carmen Cruz, Licensed Psychologist and Educator
• Register today!

Upcoming PHRC Events

Advancing Social Justice through Language, a virtual Social Justice Lunch & Learn

• Tuesday, October 15, 2024
• 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
• SPEAKER: 
• Eliz Nestorov, Director of Development, MidPenn Legal Services
• Register for this TEAMS webinar.

Fair Housing Fundamentals

Learn key information about fair housing laws in Pennsylvania, including residents' rights and housing providers' responsibilities

• Wednesday, October 30, 2024
• 12:00-1:00 p.m.
• Register for this TEAMS webinar

National Origin Protections

Learn about housing discrimination based on national origin and how to file a complaint if you believe you've experienced housing discrimination

• Wednesday, November 20, 2024
• 12:00-1:00 p.m.
• Register for this TEAMS webinar

Housing Protections for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians

Join us to learn about LGBTQ+ housing protections under the PA Human Relations Act and the Fair Housing Act. on

• Wednesday, December 18, 2024
• 12:00-1:00 p.m.
• Register for this TEAMS webinar

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvania's Beloved Community in Lebanon County

• Tuesday, October 15
• 3-4:30 p.m.
• Lebanon Community Library, 125 North Seventh Street, Lebanon, PA 17046
• Register today.

PHRC on the Road: Building Pennsylvania's Beloved Community in Columbia County

• Monday, October 21, 2024
• 5-6:30 p.m.
• Mulberry Mills, 160 W. Sixth Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
• Register today.

If you have attended one of our Beloved Community tour stops, please take a moment to complete our survey. The PHRC is still looking for locations to host upcoming sessions, anyone interested in partnering with the PHRC should contact Stacy Waters at stwaters@pa.gov.

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