Penn State professor sues school, claims faculty were called ‘racist white supremacists’.

Former Penn State Professor Files Lawsuit Alleging Racist Attacks and Forced Teaching of White Supremacy

A former Pennsylvania State University professor is taking legal action against the school, claiming that he was subjected to racist attacks and forced to teach that “white supremacy manifests itself in language and in writing pedagogy.” Zack De Piero, a former English professor at the Abington campus, has filed a lawsuit with the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, alleging that he was individually targeted for ridicule and humiliation based on his race.

“When he complained about the continuous stream of racial insult directed at white faculty in the writing department, the director of the Affirmative Action Office told him that ‘There is a problem with the White race,’ that he should attend ‘antiracist’ workshops ‘until you get it,’ and that he might have mental health issues,” the lawsuit continues.

According to De Piero, Penn State takes the anti-racist movement very seriously, as advocated by figures like Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo, who are often referenced in critical race theory materials. However, De Piero claims that he was forced out of his position at the university after questioning this ideology.

In an interview with the Washington Examiner, De Piero explained that the school’s message was clear: “You need to promote equity in your classroom, or else you’re perpetuating racist teaching practices.” As a white individual, he felt that the school consistently conveyed a hostile attitude towards white people.

The lawsuit also highlights the diversity, equity, and inclusion resources provided by the school, such as “White Rage,” “White people, enough: A look at power and control,” and “Me and White Supremacy.” De Piero argues that these resources further disseminated racist content against white faculty and students based on their race.

“This is wrong. This is discrimination,” De Piero said. “It’s humiliating to me. It’s likely humiliating to others. They’re just too afraid to tell you.”

De Piero also received emails encouraging reporting of “bias” and “wrongdoing,” with messages like “see something, say something.” He compared this to the responsibility of reporting self-harm or abuse in students.

Describing some faculty members as “high priests of anti-racism,” De Piero claimed that they endorsed derogatory content towards the white race and promoted the ideas of Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo as gospel.

According to the lawsuit, De Piero’s direct supervisor, Liliana Naydan, expressed the view that racism against white faculty and students is legitimate. In an email, Naydan stated, “Racist structures are quite real in assessment and elsewhere regardless of the good intentions that teachers and scholars bring to the set-up of those structures. For me, the racism is in the results if the results draw a color line.”

The lawsuit also alleges that the university’s “bigotry” is reflected in low expectations for black and Hispanic students, excusing deficient performance and condemning accurate assessment as “racist.”

Alina Wong, named as a defendant in the lawsuit, allegedly led breathing exercises with staff, instructing white staff to hold their breath for longer periods to “feel the pain” that George Floyd endured. Wong is no longer with the university and currently serves as an equity vice president at Macalester College.

De Piero believes that the push for this messaging in academia is driven by “professional mobility,” and those who disagree but comply may be the worst contributors to the problem.

FAIR Supports De Piero’s Fight Against Discrimination

Leigh Ann O’Neill, managing director of legal advocacy at FAIR, commended De Piero’s bravery in standing up against harmful ideologies infiltrating academic spaces. She stated, “The unlawful discrimination he faced is a symptom of those ideologies, and they are eating away at the foundational principles of equality and open inquiry.”

Penn State declined to comment on the ongoing litigation, and Naydan and Wong did not respond to requests for comment from the Washington Examiner.

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