Essay 227

Boeing has settled its gender discrimination lawsuit, agreeing to dish out $72.5 million. Nearly 18,000 former and current female employees will receive payments for abuses that include unequal salaries. Now Boeing is facing another lawsuit involving 15,000 Black workers. The company’s slogan is, “Forever New Frontiers.” Looks like they’re seeking to take discrimination to new heights. Speaking of settlement, White Settlement, Texas has decided to keep its name. Local officials wondered if White Settlement seemed politically incorrect, ultimately inviting voters to decide. In the end, the name won support by a 9-to-1 margin. Given its current racial ratio, perhaps the town should consider revising its name to 85% White Settlement. The Texas town was established in the mid 1800s when Whites settled among Native Indian areas. Speaking of Indians, the NCAA refused to give in to the University of Illinois over its mascot. While conceding the school may call its team the Fighting Illini or the Illini, the Chief Illiniwek character has been ruled unacceptable. Students, alumni and fans continue to fight for the mascot, insisting he symbolizes school traditions. Maybe they could balance things out with a sidekick mascot called Whitey.