Startling Irony: White DEI Staffer Wins Massive Settlement After Alleging Racial Discrimination

In a case that has sent ripples through the higher education landscape, a former Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) assistant director at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has reached a substantial $265,000 settlement after alleging she was subjected to racial discrimination for being white.

Dr. Amanda Florence Garcia, who once championed inclusivity, claimed a hostile work environment was fostered against her, an irony not lost on observers.

Garcia, who served as the Assistant Director of DEI, filed a federal lawsuit in October 2022, detailing a pattern of discrimination she reportedly endured during her tenure from August 2021 to August 2022.

Her legal complaint painted a stark picture of a workplace where her identity as a white woman became a target. According to court documents and her attorney, Garcia was explicitly told her “skin color was a problem” and that she “didn't belong in DEI,” the very department dedicated to fostering acceptance and understanding.

The lawsuit highlighted numerous instances where Garcia was allegedly subjected to “degrading and humiliating comments.” She reported feeling ostracized and targeted, with colleagues and even supervisors reportedly undermining her authority and questioning her capabilities solely because of her race.

These allegations suggest an environment where the principles of DEI were, for Garcia, conspicuously absent.

Her attorney, Christina D. Smith, emphasized the significance of the settlement, calling it a “significant victory for Dr. Garcia and for anyone who believes that discrimination has no place in the workplace, regardless of an individual's race or sex.” The lawsuit explicitly stated that Garcia was “mocked for her white, female identity,” facing a daily barrage of unprofessional conduct from fellow staff members, including subordinates.

Further exacerbating the situation, Garcia claimed that despite reporting these incidents to various university officials, including Human Resources and Chancellor Joe Gow, adequate measures were not taken to protect her.

The university's alleged failure to intervene created a prolonged hostile environment, ultimately leading to her resignation in August 2022.

While the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse agreed to the $265,000 settlement, it did so without admitting any fault or wrongdoing, a common practice in such legal resolutions.

Nevertheless, the case shines a spotlight on the complexities and potential internal contradictions that can arise within institutions committed to diversity initiatives. It raises critical questions about how claims of discrimination are handled, particularly when they come from unexpected quarters within the very departments tasked with preventing them.

This settlement serves as a powerful reminder that the principles of equity and inclusion must apply universally, regardless of an individual's background or role, and that all employees deserve a workplace free from harassment and discrimination.