When one hears the phrase “reverse discrimination,” it can be easy to fall into misconceptions regarding how anti-discrimination laws work. While these laws play an essential role in eliminating discrimination against traditionally marginalized and oppressed groups (such as Black people, women, religious minorities, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, etc.,) the intent and the goal of these laws in New Jersey goes further. The courts in this state have been clear that the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination exists to eradicate the “cancer” of discrimination in all its forms when that discrimination occurs based on a protected characteristic. So, even if you were the target of discrimination because you were White, male, straight, an American citizen, etc., you have just as much protection under the law and, with the assistance of a skilled New Jersey employment discrimination lawyer, just as much opportunity to recover compensation for the harm you suffered.
The age and race discrimination case of two North Jersey school employees was a reminder of this truth for one Essex County school system. As nj.com reported, one of the educators, A.D., was a White woman in her 60s working at a Newark high school where the student population was 90% Black. The other educator, D.S., also was a White woman in her 60s and served as the chair of the math department at a high school where the student population was 78% Latino.
In 2013, when the educators were in their 50s, they applied for vice principal positions. Both were rejected. D.S., in fact, got transferred to a different school and demoted to lunch aide, according to the lawsuit. A.D. allegedly got reassigned, which carried with it a pay cut.