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/