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Detroit's Green Dot Stables is addressing the May firing of a Black server that touched off a series of tense protests at its Corktown location.
Christine Turner, a 34-year-old who was employed at the restaurant for several weeks, has said she was unfairly let go after white coworkers took offense over a joke she made about light-skinned Black people.
In a statement issued Monday, two weeks after Turner went public with her story, owners Jacques and Christine Driscoll said the narrative presented was "not accurate."
"At Green Dot Stables, our company’s strength is the inclusive and respectful environment we create for our customers and employees. This requires everyone who works at Green Dot Stables to uphold our values concerning the treatment of our employees and customers.
Recently, disciplinary action was taken against an employee for multiple instances of violating our written policy against harassment. When this private personnel matter became public, we were brief in our initial comments out of respect for the privacy of the individual and the remainder of our staff. This individual initially asked for communications to be made directly to an attorney, which we chose to respect. Unfortunately, during our silence, there have been multiple instances of harassment and threatening comments directed to other members of our staff.
The current narrative regarding what happened is simply not accurate. During this employee's seven shifts of employment, this individual engaged in a string of unprofessional conduct towards multiple employees of different races/national origins and sexual orientation. Despite (being advised she could not speak that way), the behavior did not change.
As we have emphasized in the past (and will continue to do so in diversity, equity and inclusion training) any biases, stereotyping, or actions that create an intimidating, offensive or hostile experience for our employees or customers will not be tolerated."
The Driscolls, who are both white, also own Johnny Noodle King in Corktown and Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts in Jefferson-Chalmers.
Turner did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Related:
Black Detroit Server Says She Was Fired for Offending White Coworkers with 'Light-Skinned' Joke
