(Jacob Bruns, Headline USA) Karen Johnson, the first director of equity in Washington state, has been fired for making derogatory comments about Latinos, the Blaze reported.
Johnson, who is black, had held the position since May 2021. She was quickly let go, however, in the wake of an investigation into her treatment of people of other races.
According to reports, she railed in front of audiences against “Mexicans”—appearing to conflate all people of Hispanic and Latino heritage with a single nationality.
While that alone might be an unforgivable transgression in politically correct dogma, Johnson then proceeded to conflate them further with Caucasians, and to imply that both ethnic groups were untrustworthy as a result of their racial identity.
“This may take some time for me because I generally distrust Mexican people,” she reportedly said, according to the Seattle Times. “Mexican people have the option of being white when it is convenient for them.”
Investigators also found that Johnson’s belligerence had created a hostile work environment that caused many people to quit.
“Each of the individuals who resigned attributed their decision to leave, at least in part, to a chaotic, overburdened, and disrespectful workplace culture created by Dr. Johnson,” they wrote.
Making matters worse, she accused a white woman of “cultural appropriation” because the woman wore her hair in a braid.
In response, Johnson told the Seattle Times that she was “saddened” by the investigation, claiming that she was fired before she was able to defend herself.
“First, I was never given the opportunity to seek reconciliation with the people who obviously feel I harmed them; and, second, my right to learn about and respond to those allegations was taken away from me without my consent,” she wrote, adding that she expected an apology.
“To the people I harmed, please forgive me,” she continued. “To the people who violated my due process, I forgive you.”
A spokesman for Democrat Gov. Jay Inslee cited high turnover rates and budget mismanagement as the reasons for Johnson’s firing, the Stranger reported.
“Every state employee should feel safe and welcome at work,” the spokesman said.
“This report’s findings confirm that wasn’t the case at the Office of Equity,” the spokesman contined. “As we seek new leadership for this agency, restoring that culture will be a top priority.”
