Appetite For Destruction (Of Your Career)

I’m a middle-aged white male who, due to circumstances, has ended up as a fan of late 1980s musical artist N.W.A. (a hip hop group). We’re not allowed music of any kind at work anyway, so our musical tastes are irrelevant, as we listen to it only on our own time. 

I’m chilling in the break room with a book when a coworker storms up to me.

Coworker: “I hear you like N.W.A.”

Me: “What of it?”

Coworker: “That’s just un-American!”

Me: “Actually, the group is 100% American.”

Coworker: “That’s not what I meant!”

Me: “So, what did you mean?”

[Coworker] actually pauses for an instant. Clearly, some warning in their brain is telling them not to say it, but they can’t help themselves.

Coworker: “Those Black f***ers hate everything about real America, and they should all be lined up and shot!”

I got up immediately and went directly to the Human Resources department. Two of the workers there are Black. HR was not impressed by [Coworker]’s opinion and decided the company would be better off without that walking lawsuit risk.