Gabrielle Union has been in the news plenty over the past few months, as she has made an effort to move on from the America’s Got Talent firing controversy. As the investigation into the show continues, Union is determined to help others learn from her situation.
The actress was a judge on America’s Got Talent last season. In addition to Julianne Hough, she was axed from the show’s panel a few months ago. Following her firing, Union raised accusations of racial insensitivity and a toxic work environment. She said she told that her hair was “too black.” Her complaints were directed toward guest judge Jay Leno and longtime judge Simon Cowell. Her statements were backed up by former judges, including Sharon Osborne and Howard Stern, who said there was the show was the “ultimate boys club.” Her willingness to speak up brought up familiar issues to the forefront, of a major network’s silencing of women and, specifically, women of color.
Since leaving America’s Got Talent, Union has leaned on her husband Dwyane Wade for support. While some were surprised by the decision to fire Union, she has focused her attention on other things. On New Year’s Eve, for example, an Uber driver decided to use the bathroom in Union’s house. He didn’t go number one. Union wrote on Twitter of the incident, “Dude dropped a deuce. Im pleased we clearly have a home & available reading material that screams ‘Come in, get comfortable and drop the kids off at the pool.’”
But aside from shaming her Uber driver for taking an emergency pit stop on one of the busiest nights of the year, Union has also continued to speak out against workplace misconduct. On Monday, she retweeted a Fortune article that detailed how companies should handle microagressions. Wrote Union, “I wish more companies took a more proactive and serious approach to workplace discrimination/harassment.” Of course, that tweet was a direct shot to her former employer, which allowed these microaggressions to occur without consequence to the perpetrators. The investigation into Union’s claims are still ongoing. America’s Got Talent is slated to begin a new season in March.
Regardless of what comes of the investigation into America’s Got Talent’s toxic work culture, Union should be applauded for her bravery in speaking up about important issues. For every Union, there are countless others who deem the cost of using their voice too great. While this complaint has thrust America’s Got Talent under the spotlight, it is far from the only workplace that has these issues. Hopefully, Union has inspired others to stand up for what is right in their own lives.
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Source: Gabrielle Union
