Tyson Foods is known for it's poor treatment of workers, it's corporate looting, and it's general inability to conform to safety standards. But, as with most things, the trouble runs even deeper. Twelve employees of a plant in Ashland, AL just sued Tyson for maintaining a segregated break room and bathroom.

According to the complaint, in July 2003, a newly-renovated bathroom at the plant remained locked except to a White supervisor and certain White employees. It alleges that a Tyson authority initially placed an “out of order” sign on the door although the bathroom was working well. “Thereafter, in August 2003, employees or agents of Defendant placed a sign on the bathroom door that read ‘Whites Only,’” the complaint states."

from the Chicago Defender

As subtle and silent racism continues to grow -- fed by it's "invisibility" overt discrimination is still alive, well, and thriving.

As a side note: when I did a google news search about this story only three sources came up. Two black newspapers and the UK Guardian. Apparently mainstream U.S. press still doesn't want to talk openly about persistent racism.