Brookfield Zoo Fires Worker After Facebook Post About "Rude ... White People"
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Officials at Brookfield Zoo said they have taken "prompt action," after receiving multiple complaints about an employee's Facebook post complaining about "rude ass white people.," and the worker has now been fired..
The post, which has been shared several times on Facebook, shows a young black woman, wearing what appears to be a Brookfield Zoo uniform, with the comment "At work serving these rude ass white people." The photo was tagged as being taken at the zoo, and appears to have been shot in front of a concessions stand or gift shop.
Brookfield Zoo spokeswoman Sondra Katzen called the employee's actions "unacceptable."
"This employee's statements in social media are in violation of our policies and do not reflect our institution's values. We have zero tolerance for these kinds of divisive behaviors. We treat all employment matters confidentially, but rest assured that we have taken prompt action to remedy the situation," she said.
The user who posted the photo, Shana Poohpooh Latrice, has since taken down her Facebook page, but Brookfield Zoo's page was flooded with complaints about it Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Several Facebook users said the post was clearly hateful and racist, and said they would not return to the zoo unless the employee is fired. However, many other commenters said they would continue to support the zoo, and those upset with the post should have patience and allow the zoo to handle it.
"We hope you continue to hold Brookfield Zoo in high regard and not let the actions of one individual overshadow the longstanding good work of the Chicago Zoological Society," Katzen said.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot spoke with patrons at the Brookfield Zoo.
"I'm not going to stop coming because of one employee," said Jordin Nelson. That's just ignorant. It's not them as a whole. It's one person."
"We should be focusing on why people are so angry, that they have to lash out like that," said Joshua Cobb.
