Chris Comer, the Texas Education Agency’s Head of Science for the past nine years, says opinions on science cost her a job.  Heinaur, Laura, “Workers Reined in Before State Science Review?”  Austin-American Statesman, December 6, 2007, p. A1.  According to Comer, she was forced to resign shortly after forwarding an email message that her superiors felt was biased against the idea that life is a result of intelligent design.  Id. @ p. A10.  For her own part, Comer maintains that she lost her job because of politics since:

We were actually told in a meeting in September that if creationism is the party line, we have to abide by it…

Id. As a result, Comer feels persecuted for having supported the teaching of evolution in Texas classrooms. Id. According to the article, evolution is currently spelled out as a concept that should be taught in Texas science classes, but creationism or intelligent design are not. Id. Board Chairman Don McLeroy is a creationist. Id.

A cartoon in a University of Kentucky newspaper called the Kernal sparked peaceful protests around the University’s campus in October, 2007.  See, Mcmurray, Jeffrey, Associated Press, “University of Kentucky Reels After Racist Cartoon, Threat,” Houston Chronicle, October 20, 2007, p. A6. According to an Associated Press Article, the cartoon:

Showed a black student, bare-chested and chained, being auctioned off among three fictional fraternities: Aryan Omega, Kappa Kappa Kappa and Alpha Caucasian.

Id. The article went on to say as follows:

Just when the furor was staring to die down, a junior recently elected as ‘Mr. Black University of Kentucky’ returned to his residence hall to find his door vandalized with the message:  “Die,” followed by a racial slur.

Hangman’s nooses have long been a symbol of violence against blacks.  Recent attention to this practice of prejudice has arisen as a result of the nationwide attention arising out of the Jena 6 Case in Jena, Louisiana.

An October, 2007 article in the USA Today reported as follows:

Since fiscal year 2001, the EEOC has filed more than 30 lawsuits that involve the displaying of nooses on the job.

See, Armour, Stephanie, “Racial Harassment Lawsuits at Work Go Up,” USA Today.  October 26, 2007, p. B1.

Some of the filed cases have resulted in settlements. Id.