Anti-racism and labor relations at the Birchwood Cafe (Seward, Minneapolis).

[iemanja]

Birchwood owner Tracy Singleton fired her entire staff on Father's Day. She said it was to get rid of "white supremacists," but it appears that she has a long history of underpaying and overworking her employees. I think she is using racial justice as an excuse. After working her chef far above normal conditions, she fired him explicitly because he developed mental health issues. She refused to pay a woman manager as much as the male who held the job before her (citing "equity" as an excuse). She told employees their concerns about permitting for the Juneteenth Block Party were "so white." Singleton is of course white herself. Why is it that white people think they should be the arbiters of racial justice? Is her behavior truly that of someone who wants her staff to become more aware of racial justice? Other employers hold workshops. She fired her entire staff.

See this article: https://heavytable.com/hard-times-at-birchwood-cafe/

Your take may be different. There is also an article on this in the Strib. https://www.startribune.com/birchwood-cafe-staff-shakeup-follows-arduous-pandemic-year-racial-reckoning/600077285/

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. Whew, Singleton's email.

[iemanja]

2. absolutely nothing about the workers

as though their livelihood doesn't matter.

[dflprincess]

3. Yikes!

Certainly, if she had real racists on her staff she should dump them, but I wonder how she's tolerated them all these years (assuming her accusation is true, which I doubt). Based on the Strib article the objection wasn't to participating in Juneteenth, it was the lack of required permits and her plans to block the street off in a way that was apt to bring the police in.

[iemanja]

4. and then her email

focused exclusively on herself. That was something else.
I've seen her at DFL meetings (caucuses) and never thought much of her, but this ensures I will never eat at the Birchwood again.

[dflprincess]

5. I read that as well

and her lack of concern for anyone but herself is telling. She seems to using racial justice as an excuse to treat people badly.

I'm inclined to think she is not well and I wonder about the therapy group she hooked up with.