The Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) is insisting that the U.S. Supreme Court protect the rights of African-Americans and all Americans to do business without the vile presence of racism. The civil rights organization further states that racism has no place in any contract negotiation. Once racism is present, it taints the entire negotiation, which can’t be cleansed by other explanations.
Founded in 1921, LAUL continues to serve, educate, and empower African-Americans, as well as other minorities to secure economic self-reliance and civil rights by providing targeted social programs and advocating for issues that benefit these communities. LAUL has long been a well-respected organization.
The organization’s community service programs and advocacy have been beyond reproach. The members of it’s board have affirmed they will continue to speak out against any and all policies, as well as practices aimed at limiting the growing economic empowerment of businesses owned by African-Americans and other people of color.
LAUL firmly stands by Entertainment Studios and its owner, Byron Allen in his fight to uphold the 153-year-old civil rights act outlawing racism in business dealings.
In its petition to the Supreme Court, the telecommunications conglomerate, Comcast Corporation – with the support of the Department of Justice- is attempting to gut the Civil Rights Act of 1866, specifically section 1981, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and ethnicity when making and enforcing contracts.
Comcast Corporation’s arguments are a tacit admission that their refusal to enter into a contract with Entertainment Studios is based, at least in part, on the fact that Entertainment Studios is owned by an African-American. Instead of affirming that racism has no place in the negotiation of a commercial contract, Comcast and the Department of Justice have asked the Supreme Court to condone the inclusion of racism as a legitimate basis for refusing to enter into a contract with an African-American, as long as it is not the “only reason.”
“We cannot condone Comcast’s attempt to eviscerate this important civil rights statute in order to legitimize their refusal to enter into a contract with Mr. Allen. We stand in solidarity with Byron Allen and Entertainment Studios,” said Michael Lawson, president and CEO of LAUL. “Now it is time for us to act, to stand up and be counted and refuse to do business with any organization that supports the legalization of racism in any form.”
