Ex-Ace Hardware Manager Claims Discrimination: Fired After Complaining About Disturbing Juneteenth Display

Two years ago, Devondrick Hartsfield publicly expressed alarm regarding his manager's alleged white supremacist beliefs. Hartsfield, a Black individual, recounted to CBS News Texas that while employed at Van Marcke’s Ace Hardware in Arlington, Texas, on Juneteenth 2023, he encountered a deeply troubling incident in the store's warehouse. His manager, a white male, instructed him to look up, revealing a backpack suspended from the ceiling, which he later described as reminiscent of a noose. Hartsfield reflected on the chilling symbolism, perceiving it as a grim message regarding racial violence. Despite the manager claiming it was intended as a joke, subsequent to his report to HR, Hartsfield faced repercussions including termination. His lawsuit alleges that he experienced racial discrimination and was unfairly dismissed. Hartsfield's legal representation emphasized that serious concerns about a hostile work environment were inadequately addressed by Ace Hardware. The company has stated it takes such allegations seriously and is conducting a thorough investigation.