B&H employee “removed” after publicly opposing “Black Lives Matter” movement
Jun 11, 2020
Dunja Đuđić Kalinin
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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An employee at B&H Photo’s Human Resources department recently shared posts on social media that openly opposed the Black Lives Matter movement. A day later, he was “removed from his position,” according to B&H.
PetaPixel received screenshots of posts from two B&H employees, both being openly against the growing movement. The first employee writes “I proudly oppose the Black Lives Matter movement. You should too.”
The second employee’s posts are way more aggressive. One of the posts he shared reads:
“I cannot support the organization called “Black Lives Matter” until it clearly states that all lives matter equally regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or creed, then denounces any acts of violence that is happening in their name.
In the meantime, I fully support the wonderful organization called “America” where EVERY life matters.
E pluribus unum!”
The second one is even longer and uses a way more aggressive language. The B&H employee implies that those BLM supporters are “a virtueless, narcissistic, and entitled lot that is chained, shackled and enslaved only by their own victimhood, hatred, loathing and resentments.” The post even implies that Black Americans “butcher” their children “physically or mentally.” What the hell?
According to PetaPixel, the first post was shared on “Public” settings, and the person who shared it was employed in the HR department of B&H. Shortly after their attention was drawn to it, B&H “removed” him from his position.
“We immediately took action once we became aware of this social media post. The employee has been removed from his position in human resources. At B&H we stand for a diverse and inclusive world, free from hate, where respect and kindness prevail.”
Note that “removed” doesn’t mean that the employee was fired. B&H points out that he was just removed from the position at human resources. They say that he “has not been assigned to a new position as the company evaluates its options.”
As for the second employee, who seems to be even, more aggressive in his opinions, B&H still hasn’t commented on his fate within the company. But as PetaPixel notes, it seems that B&H discovered his post later. We will try to get in touch with B&H and update the article if we hear back.
And if I may just add something. Of course that all lives matter, but as I heard somewhere on the internet: “Don’t be jealous because you don’t have a movement, be grateful that you don’t need one.”
[via PetaPixel]
Dunja Đuđić Kalinin
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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89 responses to “B&H employee “removed” after publicly opposing “Black Lives Matter” movement”
I think you mean “employees” not employers in multiple places in the article. I doubt that B&H the company approved of their posts. You’re casting a bad light on the company this way.
Or, English is not the author’s native language and she just made a couple of typos. There are nicer ways to point things out to people. :)
There is something known as proof-reading. However, if you are serious about your work on this blog / publication, you should definitely think well about who writes what and how they write it.
Again, there are less douchey ways to get your point across. :)
This is ridiculous. We are all entitled to our own opinions. That’s part of being Americans. Hire him back.
Corie Pfahler lol should’ve thought about it when agitating and meddling in a private Corp’s matter, NFL? kneeling? #ColinKaepernick Fake outrage anyone?
You are most certainly entitled to your own opinion so long as it goes with whatever the flavor of the day is.
Corie Pfahler Who said he wasnt entitled to it? His job doesn’t have to agree with his views and keep him employed though.
Geoff Louis right. Respect each other’s opinions. Don’t judge because someone doesn’t agree.
Corie Pfahler You didn’t read my whole comment apparently
Every company has the right to terminate an employee that impacts their reputation and brand. Lesson: Don’t be a jerk on social media or in public, in the internet age and where video is captured by anyone with a cell phone, there will be consequences.
Just because you have a right to an opinion doesnt mean you are immune to the consequences of said opinion…
Robert Ieuan Griffiths there shouldn’t be consequences for having an opinion. If you disagree, move on.
Corie read any employment contract. Most will say if you bring the company/department etc reputation into disrepute then you face disciplinary action
No one wants to work with racists. If you’re working with someone 40 hours a week they can’t be spouting hate. Any job interview I’ve had and given after having run a couple businesses the question of tolerance and being able to work with anyone from all walks of life is always asked. You start making the other employees uncomfortable, you got to go
Removed NOT fired.
I really hope he got to keep his job.
Haha! Capitalism says it’s OK, and so does the law. Anyone complaining about this, but still screams “Capitalism ‘Merica Fuck Yeah!” at every opportunity, needs to become a ventriloquist.
Because they are already talking with their foot in their mouth?
It’s funny that B&H doesn’t side with the individuals not burning down camera stores,book stores,et al
so only black lives matter? not ‘all lives matter’? in that case, I’ll have to shop elsewhere.
You’re cut from the same cloth as the poster, then. The slogan BLM has never meant that other lives don’t matter. It is a reflection on the experience of Black people in American history. From slavery, to the Tulsa Massacre, to lynchings and the Jim Crow laws, to gerrymandering & voter suppression today, to unjustified sentencing and mass incarcerations and police brutality, it has been clear to many that the lives of Black Americans were of less value than the lives of White Americans. The slogan is meant to stress this grim reality and emphasize that the lives of Black Americans matter as much as any other lives. If you like, “Black Lives Matter Too.”
I think you really have to be a bit obtuse to not understand that.
Yet it’s not called BLMT. I wonder why.
You don’t have to wonder. It’s blazingly obvious. Unless, as I said above, your’re obtuse.
https://www.facebook.com/1593518174052711/posts/3881876628550176/?d=null&vh=e
Scott Rivera yes, why consider possible facts that disagree with your narrative when you can just cancel them and pretend you’re actually right…lmao
Andy Dench wow. Stupid on a massive scale. Actblue is a payment processing platform, much like PayPal or Venmo. It is the partner that BLM chose to process and collect the donations. The money goes to the BLM 503 charity organization. NOT to Actblue. But hey, another conspiracy theory and another GOP sucker that drank the koolaid faster than it could be poured. Go figure. Full tilt Dunning-Kruger-Syndrome on display.
Scott Rivera yeah cause you know me. Not gop in the very least, I think it’s hilarious how many out there still think it matters which politician gets in as if they give a shit and they’re going to save us. Keep dreaming.
So you aren’t GOP but still fell for the conspiracy theory. Boy did I miss judge you…
?
B&H has been my go to source for gear. I respect the religion of their founders and love the respect they are showing for others.
Well done B&H
Couple of things about this:
1) I don’t agree with this guy’s statements.
2) unless it’s obvious that he’s actually a B&H employee, publishing his opinion does not affect the company, and it isn’t appropriate to fire an employee for expressing his opinion in this specific situation. However, if he is in a position where he is recognisable as an employee, and his personal opinion could be mistaken by the public as a B&H opinion, and the company has rules for the use of social media, then he should accept the consequences his public expressions may have.
3) B&H aren’t very kosher themselves (pun not intended). They’ve been in the news for abuse of employees and racism themselves. Their actions in fact were worse than that of this employee. They may recall the biblical expression about casting the first stone…
4) everyone is entitled to having their own opinion. But expect and accept consequences when you express them.
5) freedom of speech goes hand in hand with legislation. Yes there is freedom of speech, but your statements could be illegal. (Remember “you have the right to remain silent…”? )
Kryn Sporry Even if it isn’t obvious if he works for B&H, it is concerning whether or not he could be objective as an HR employee.
David Zimmerman correct. Most sizeable companies have rules about private use of social media to protect themselves.
He has a right to his opinion as a private citizen and not as a representative of his employer. In other words, do not openly promote or hide behind your employer’s brand. They have a right to terminate you. It’s like wearing a Popeyes Chicken employee uniform and eating KFC. Conflict of interest and company policy.
I saw no suggestion that these persons presented themselves as speaking on behalf of B&H.
Which means they are terminated for holding a private opinion: sounds like a useful trick to have up your sleeve later if you want to manipulate citizens into not speaking out.
That’s what happens when you speak the truth.
I won’t shop there anymore! ?
As an Europen this fired on same day shit doesnt makes sense to me… becuase thats just against the law and morals of my Continent… and you guys call yourself the Land of the Free and Freedom… you all should be living abroad for 12 months and see how you opinion about were you live would be drastically diferent.
You guys have no freedom at all but you are too blind to see it.
If he were a government employee, things would be different, but if you work for a private company part of the freedom is they are free to fire you the same day for no reason.
I’m not saying this is better, just that this is how it fits with being “free”
I think you are clearly confused. The First Amendment (the very first one written) of the US Constitution says, in short, the GOVERNMENT (not companies) can not make a law limiting freedom of speech. Meaning that a private company like B&H can fire an employee if it wants to for there speech.
Kevin Johnson I’m not confused on anything.
as an Individual I have the right to have my ideas and speak about them. As long as I’m not purposely spreading Hate I see no harm.
Also and like I said in Europe if you are on a Contract no Company can fire you on the same day. I mean they can but the effectiveness of it will be minimum 30 to 60 days. And even then you can refuse and go to Work Conditions Courts. If they decide that the firing was Illegal, no justifiable cause, meaning the Employee dint do anything during his working hours at the company that disrupted the company, then the Company will have to pay a heavy compensation to the Employee, and even re-admit it if he wishes so. Its to avoid Companies abusing like they do in US.
Outside your company you are you, you should be allowed to say what you want without the fear of being penalized for it. Its your private life after all.
100% correct
Not at all. If you work for , say, a civil rights movement, you can’t go home and curse the coloured races overtly. It hardly gels with your work role.
Marco Peixoto No in the internet age, if you post on social media it is public, why would a company want an employee making public statements that are contradictory to there policy? That makes ZERO sense.
Did he do it on B&H letter head or web site.I do not see why this effects B&H. The statement all lives matter is true and did not attack anyone.
True statement !!
Kevin Johnson Because it none of their Business?
Lets imagine I prefer other sodas instead of Coca Cola and I work for Coca Cola… so saying i prefer Pepsi is a reason to fire me? That’s so freaking ridiculous…
Marco Peixoto Let’s imagine you are raging racist who put’s up images of blacks being lynched on a public forum, why would your employer NOT fire you? This is no different
Did he do any of that? What you are saying his really worrisome and nowhere on the Article says that.
Marco Peixoto “Let’s Imagine” do you not understand that phrase because you just did the same thing. I’m making a comparison because you clearly don’t understand why B&H has every right and should fire him.
I read the Article several times and no where there it shows anything so strong as you are suggesting.
Anyway this is leading nowhere, we both have different opinions about it. So lets agree we disagree :)
If you read the article several times, you would have seen this:
“The second one is even longer and uses a way more aggressive language. The B&H employee implies that those BLM supporters are “a virtueless, narcissistic, and entitled lot that is chained, shackled and enslaved only by their own victimhood, hatred, loathing and resentments.” The post even implies that Black Americans “butcher” their children “physically or mentally.”
Marco Peixoto in the article it says the company policy “At B&H we stand for a diverse and inclusive world, free from hate, where respect and kindness prevail.” The article goes on to say the employee “The post even implies that Black Americans “butcher” their children “physically or mentally.” amongst others things he said. That’s a pretty clear violation of the company’s position, they took appropriate action.
It’s not a “freedom” issue. It’s much simpler than that. You can’t embarrass your employer in public and expect that there won’t be consequences.
And he hasn’t been fired, either. He was removed from his post which, given that he was in Human Resources, is quite appropriate.
When B & H decides to act in response to the second poster, s/he will no doubt be fired in accordance with whatever company policies and labour laws are in play..
Freedom has never meant the absence of consequences.
So you want the freedom to be a open racist, and STILL keep you job in a position that works with the public in any way? Stay there bud
cancel culture cancer culture
B&H as a company owned and largely staffed by Jews is going to be doubly sensitive to public statements made by a bigot who represents themselves as working for B&H. If someone wants to be racist then they should be mature enough to accept the consequences of their conduct. Too many white people are stupid when it comes to racism and little aware that the best way for the elites to stay in power is to divide and conquer by segregating the races. President Lyndon Johnson from the southern state of Texas said it best “If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better off than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.”
Somebody needs a mirror. I see 3 racist statements, a racist quote, and a complete lack of self-awareness. Apparently you’re unaware that attacking others for their race while trying to call them out for being racially divisive is a little self defeating.
Where is freedom of speech. The L here means Lies not life. Unfortunately he is not alone
The employer has the freedom to fire an employee for speech that goes against company policy.
You can say whatever you want just make sure you are aware of the repercussions
So someone doesn’t have the right to disagree with something?
Go ahead and tell your employer that you are going against company policies and see if he agrees with you.
Company policy dictates what you do in your private life now? You do realize that the company you work for doesn’t actually own you, or have any say about what you do or say when you’re off the clock, and not representing the company, right? I mean, if they made this post on a company social media account, then B&H Photo might have a leg to stand on. If it was made on a personal account, then they should get sued out of existence. Claiming you own an employee’s private life changes the relationship from “employment” to “slavery”.
Never another penny from me to B&H.
Mike Eff
Geoff Louis
I know you’re going to miss my money but you’ll get over it…. mommy’s bringing your passi.
Oh, and up yours.
ok snowflake
Kevin Johnson
You talking about this pansy?
Wait a minute so B&H does this but yet they have a history under paying their Hispanic and black workers over their Hasidic workers, and this has been true, WTF they are talking about
https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/b-h-discriminated-hispanic-workers-suit-article-1.2544262
YUP … I heard that. But the Black Lives Matter is the “thing of the day”. Anything off the narrative will be called out as racist and “you do not understand”
I stopped shopping at B&H long ago, especially being a latino, and having a account with them. I cancelled mine, my business was huge with them through my clients https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/b-h-discriminated-hispanic-workers-suit-article-1.2544262
Is that an anti-semitic joke?
Freedom of speech?
lol
In America you can’t say what you think anymore
What was he thinking?
He probably thought he lives in a country that you are allowed to say what you think…
America’s First Amendment prevents censorship of speech by the Government. It does not shield anyone from the consequences of their speech, nor does it apply to private companies. “All Lives Matter” is at least a tone-deaf response to the obvious meaning of Black Lives Matter, and at worst, it’s an attempt to once again discredit the lives and experience of Black Americans.
You talk about a tone-deaf response………. what is the response to all of the Black on Black killing that goes on ?? Cops can’t even get the people of black communities to speak up about who shot who……… Until the people of these communities speak up and take responsibility for these senseless murders, they will never know peace of any kind….. ALL Lives do matter…….. from the oldest to the youngest………..
If you take the trouble to look, you would see that Black communities are taking steps to address Black on Black violence. You have to ask about causes, of course. The cause of Black on Black violence has nothing to do with “race”. In other words, it isn’t some weird inherent quality of Black Americans. Much of it is gang related. Why so many gangs? Because gangs can make a lot of money. And how do they make a lot of that money? Through selling drugs. Drugs are big sellers in communities where hope is at a minimum and poverty is endemic. When you consider that the cyclical poverty of some Black communities in America is rooted in everything from poor health outcomes to schools that are not up to standard (America has a very strange way of funding its school systems) to the fact that nutritious food is harder to find in poor communities…which affects academics and health outcomes…to election gerrymandering that makes it harder for their voices to be heard, you have a perfect recipe for despair. In Canada, we see the same things in our Indigenous communities, with the same tragic results (although gerrymandering isn’t an issue in Canada.) Many people dismiss this stuff as “excuses”, but it has been studied and documented to the hilt. Sadly, people who haven’t looked at the hard data still dismiss it far too quickly.
Poverty becomes inter-generational, and so does the trauma experienced by communities that have faced substantial discrimination. This has been documented from Hasidim communities in New York to remote “Indian Reserves” in Northern Canada.
America’s Black people, like Canada’s Indigenous people, have been mistreated and abused for centuries. Hence, “All Lives Matter” is nothing but a trivial truism..of course, all lives matter, and no one has said otherwise. The slogan “Black Lives Matter” has been brought to the fore because history tells us that from 1691 to 2020, it is clear that they have mattered in the minds of many less than other lives have mattered.
Black on Black violence is, without question, a real problem, and it is not being ignored by Black communities. However it is a social issue, not a racial issue and as serious as it is, it is a deflection to raise it as an objection to the Black Lives Matter slogan.
Perhaps they were just looking to let him go and used this as an excuse
America is no longer a country that allows free speech
What you say is about you – not your company
B&H can stand for whatever it likes – so can their employees
Company policy should not overturn free speech
The dictatorship being set up by the GOP is working
By the GOP? Good grief. Find me ONE sane democrat. JUST ONE. Have any democrats come out to opposed this BLM crap? Have any democrats denounced the violence and rioting? ONE????
Lots of Democrats have denounced the violence & rioting. Look it up yourself. Sane Democrats? Most of them…especially when compared to Trump, Miller, McConnell, Cruz, Pence.
Marco, do you have a right to “keep and bear arms”?no?let the new world order dictate your rights.Plus tax & a recappable tire.If you want to make a call you must first hang up, dial 1, then the area code & the number.Press firmly, you are making 6 copies: in other words Marco is a formula guy, like a widely distributed ad campaign. As in when the Democrat party comes out with a “PRONOUNCEMENT” the parrots at NBC,CBS, ABC, CNN all let loose with” Polly want a cracker”.
One of the frightening things I see in this country is how the left totally shuts down expression. If you are not actively FOR what they want, you are the enemy. Silence doesn’t work any longer with these people. Now, the company DOES have the right to restrict employees who are identified with the company. I get that. But this is a far larger problem in the USA right now. I am so glad I am retired. What the left does is they contact your employer and make all kinds of threats. There are so many weak people and weak companies in the USA, they often buckle. One of the employees still made valid points. Why do they get hysterical when you answer ALL LIVES MATTER? Seems easy enough we can all agree on that. Are some lives more valuable and special? And educated yourself on what BLM stands for by going to their damn website. They are open about it. Do you want to live in an area where they replace police with social workers? How about armed BLM patrols? Does this even remotely seem sane? And we’re already seeing BLM and antifa have a very heavy anti semitic streak. How does the B&H management feel about THAT?
“At B&H we stand for a diverse and inclusive world, free from hate, where respect and kindness prevail.”
(As long as we, at B&H agree with your stance!”
And how could one not agree with that stance?
I’m closing my account and will NOT purchase from B&H going forward. To understand my reasoning, read the book Political Correctness and the Destruction of the Social Order by Howard S. Schwartz. And the author is JEWISH. B&H is spineless.
give me names of democrats who denounce the violence of the mob thug rioters. All over the country, they smile, laugh, and encourage the mob mentality.
B&H off my list of any place I will spend a dollar
Lessons learned:
1. HR is just a ruse to give people with worthless job skills (eg. degrees programs in Women, Gender and Latte Foam Art History) a participation trophy, and
2. We are in the midst of the Great Cavalcade of Virtue Signaling, 2020 edition.
The new Cultural Revolution has begun. Mao would be proud.