By Jason Walker, Adler University; Deborah Circo, University of Nebraska Omaha
The phenomenon of bullying, harassment and sexual abuse in workplaces throughout North America is widespread and harmful to both individuals and organizations. In fact, bullying at work affects up to 30% of workers over time.
As practitioners and researchers who study workplace violence, including bullying, harassment and sexual abuse, we define workplace bullying as harmful acts of mistreatment between people that go beyond incivility and cross the line to intentionally causing harm.
Bullying behaviors range from verbally insulting or socially excluding someone to sabotaging the victim’s work, inflicting psychological terror and engaging in sexual abuse or physical aggression. Manipulation and provocation also play a role in bullying dynamics, and cyberbullying has emerged as a new form of workplace harassment. Research suggests the impacts of workplace bullying affect employee health and safety and the workplace overall.
In a grocery store line, if someone invades your space, shoves you aside or threatens physical harm, the police may intervene, potentially resulting in an arrest. However, in the workplace, incidents involving bullying, assault, sexual abuse or other forms of violence are typically addressed through internal investigations. Our research suggests that treating workplace bullying as a matter of public health rather than employment law is necessary to protect those being targeted.
Workplace bullying results in real harms – Targets of workplace bullying often experience serious repercussions, including stress and burnout, along with other diagnosed mental health issues and, in extreme cases, suicide.
Bullying can affect physical health, with symptoms including sleep disturbances, cardiovascular diseases, body aches and pain, loss of appetite and headaches. Targets often describe an inability to concentrate; since they’re spending time worrying about what is going to happen to them next, job performance suffers. The negative impacts can spill over to a target’s personal life and affect their relationships with family and friends.
It’s not unusual for targeted workers to feel uncomfortable coming forward and talking about their experiences. But suffering in silence can lead to an even more toxic climate at work that can undermine your victims’ sense of security, with long-term consequences for their well-being.) Read Part 2 in next CNC issue for: Personality traits of bullies and their targets; Are you being bullied?; How to respond to an ongoing situation. (The CONVERSATION)
NEW YORK – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the December Jobs Report the Department of Labor issued last month.
“December’s near-record low unemployment rate for Black workers is a vital sign of a strong economy that continues to defy expectations. At 5.2%, the lowest rate since April’s all-time low of 4.7%, the Black unemployment rate is 48.6% – still unacceptably high, but a significant narrowing from the traditional 2:1 ratio. The overall unemployment rate has remained below 4% for nearly two years, one of the longest streaks in U.S. history.
“Another significant indicator of the economy’s strength over the last year is the record-high labor force participation rate for mothers with children under five. But this progress is fragile as pandemic-era relief has expired and childcare costs continue to rise. Without long-term investments in childcare, parents will be forced back out of the labor market, which would slow economic growth and erode economic security.
“Working families are seeing a much-needed rise in their income and wealth. However, high interest rates challenge families struggling to meet their mortgage payments and continue to hinder the construction of new homes.
“To build a more comprehensive and fair economy, we must continue to invest in crucial programs such as housing, childcare, and other initiatives that can help strengthen our economy and communities. We must also ensure delivery of those programs to the underserved communities that need them most.” (Source: TN Tribune)
Nashville, TN – State Representative Antonio Parkinson has taken a bold step to intensify the fight against human trafficking in Tennessee. A new bill, recently filed by Rep. Parkinson, mandates all adult-oriented businesses in the state to display human trafficking hotline information that would be overseen by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The information would be posted at the entrances and in the restrooms of the establishments. This initiative is part of Tennessee’s ongoing efforts to recognize January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and to strengthen the state’s response to this critical issue.
This proposed legislation (HB1848) is pivotal in raising public awareness and providing immediate access to help for victims. The TBI-operated hotline is a lifeline, offering confidential assistance and support. By ensuring that hotline information is visibly posted in adult-oriented businesses, the bill aims to reach individuals who are most at risk and provide a direct link to the necessary resources.
State Rep. Parkinson, advocating for stronger community protection, remarked, “The horror of human trafficking requires our unwavering attention and action. This bill, with the support of the TBI’s hotline, is a testament to our commitment to eradicate this plight from our state. It empowers victims and the public to take a stand against trafficking.
Tennessee has consistently demonstrated leadership in addressing human trafficking, with comprehensive laws and dedicated initiatives. This bill represents another significant measure in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all individuals within the state.”
The Memphis Democrat urges his legislative colleagues and the public to back this essential legislation. “With the collective efforts of our communities and the support of the TBI, we can make a meaningful impact. Our unity is our strength in this fight against human trafficking,” Rep. Parkinson added.
For more information, please contact Ken Jobe at ken.jobe@capitol.tn.gov or (901) 277-0606.
NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee Equality Project (TEP) took to the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville recently to protest, donning flags, signs, and t-shirts speaking out against what they have dubbed the “Slate of Hate,” or a collection of bills led by a proposed “Flag Ban,” with House Bill 1605, along with other legislation TEP has described as a threat against LGBTQ+ rights. TEP Policy Researcher Jace
Wilder said the protest did an excellent job of sending a message to legislators that civil rights advocates will not be silent and will not be going anywhere.
Wilder said the protest began before legislators arrived and lasted until the evening. He said they were visited by several state representatives such as District 30 Sen. Sara Kyle (D-Memphis) and District 90 Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knox County). Johnson is currently seeking the Senate seat currently held by Senator Marsha Blackburn.
Wilder said each legislator spoke briefly to reassure the crowd that there were representatives against bills such as the “Flag Ban” and who have the best interests of LGBTQ+ citizens at heart. He said the protest largely focused on the “Flag Ban,” the bill proposed by District 61 Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) that would call for all flags that are not the United States flag or the Tennessee State flag to be banned from public and charter schools.
“Which … not only gets rid of representation for LGBTQ and Black Lives Matter, and other flags that are considered social justice oriented but also other flags that represent our students such as other countries, other states, and even the POW flag that represents our Missing In Action folks,” Wilder said.
Wilder said the other legislation attached to the Slate of Hate attacks things such as health care for transgender people through an insurance ban that is currently frozen. He said the reason TEP labeled these bills as a “Slate” is because right-wing legislators continuously introduced additional bills that TEP considered to be an assault on LGBTQ+ civil rights.
“What our goal truly is, is to have a time in which we are able to support legislation, we don’t always want to be on the defense,” Wilder said. “We want to work with our legislators to make a better Tennessee, but the unfortunate reality is that we are constantly on the defense against our own legislator.”
Wilder said the Flag Ban has been TEP’s Slate of Hate public focus because it encapsulates many of the different issues into one bill and makes things more easily digestible for citizens trying to follow.
“Because it was one of the first to be introduced immediately into the session it gives us a, not to be redundant, gives us a flag of what their goals are for the session and gives us goals too,” Wilder said.
Wilder said that it is difficult to talk about so many different pieces of legislation being introduced at the same time. He said the constant juggling that TEP does to fight for civil rights has led to them developing ways to do so effectively over vastly different topics. Wilder said the way TEP can do this is by using its wide volunteer base to distribute different topics among its people based on specialty and will continue to do so to fight the Slate of Hate. “For myself, I’m in health policy and I work mainly in public health,” Wilder said. “So, I focus on the health care legislation, I focus on that foster care legislation, while other folks are more attune to that First Amendment-type, such as with the Flag Bill or last year with the Drag Ban.” (Source: TN Tribune)
Chattanooga Mayor Tim KellyFrom left: Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy, Erlanger Health Trauma Services Coordinator Regena Young, Chattanooga Youth Intervention Specialist Pablo Mazariegos, First Baptist Church Pastor William Terry Ladd III and Grace Pointe Church Pastor Marcellus Barnes Sr. sat on the Gun Violence panel moderated by LaDarius Price, deputy director of Community Development for Hamilton County. (Photos by Camm Ashford)Members of the Mental Health panel at the Faith Leader and Nonprofit Mental Health and Gun Violence Summit at Brainerd Crossroads (BX) on Jan. 26. (Photo: C. Ashford)Satedra Smith is shown with her son, Joshua, who was tragically taken by gun violence in Atlanta last month. (Facebook Photo)Members of the 423 Chain Breakers. Photo: C. Ashford)
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly joined forces with key community figures for a pivotal Faith Leader and Nonprofit Mental Health and Gun Violence Summit at Brainerd Crossroads (BX) on Jan. 26. The event took place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., with community members and experts alike coming together to tackle the pressing “public health issues” surrounding mental health and its intersection with gun violence.
Speakers emphasized the importance of promoting “understanding, compassion and actionable solutions” during two separate panel discussions–one focusing on gun violence and the other on mental health issues.
Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy underscored the need for improved police-youth relations as a critical step in addressing gun violence in order to dispel fear and build trust within the community.
“When they see the vision of us and when we’re in their presence, I don’t want children to be scared of us,” she said. “I don’t want adults to be scared of us either. And I want our adults to stop teaching our children to be scared of us, because that’s not what I’m about.”
Chief Murphy also highlighted the need for collective efforts to prevent gun violence, particularly by reaching out to the youth before violence takes hold.
“We just have to pull together, work together, and really eradicate some of the things that are driving the violence in our community,” she said.
A recurring theme throughout the summit was the impact of social media on mental health.
“Social media. As I was saying earlier, it’s incredibly isolating,” noted Rebekah Bohannon, Hamilton County director of Intergovernmental Affairs.
“Social media is both a blessing and a curse,” added General Sessions Judge Alex McVeagh.
Karen Collins, sister of Chattanooga rapper James McReynolds, a.k.a. “Biggie Moe”–who died on Jan. 10 after being shot in his car on North Bishop Drive–shed light on the intricate relationship between social media, violent language in rap music and gun violence.
“Today, I’m just empty,” Collins shared. “My brother James Lebron McReynolds, known as Biggie Moe, was the first homicide of the year. I had to stop people from coming in to take pictures to post. That’s elevating this violence in our community.”
William Terry Ladd III, pastor of First Baptist Church, emphasized the need to address the root causes of violence.
“We are a violent culture,” he explained. “And as a culture, we need to recognize that violence is a broader issue that needs to be addressed in all areas of society, not just in isolated incidents.”
Satedra Smith, a mother and “gun violence survivor,” shared a poignant message as she honored the memory of both of her sons, Jordan and Joshua. Joshua was murdered just last month in Atlanta, and Jordan in Chattanooga in 2015.
Shot herself, Smith is the founder of Jordan’s Light Foundation and a member of the Everytown Survivor Network.
“In 1999, I was shot in front of my daughter as I walked out of the front door of our home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where we were hosting a family cookout,” Smith said in a 2017 interview with Times magazine. “The shooting was unintentional. A 17-year-old neighbor had a .22 in his pocket that fell to the ground, discharging as it landed. The bullet hit me, and I suffered severe internal bleeding. As I went in for surgery, I asked my parents to take care of my kids, thinking that I wouldn’t make it out. I still feel so lucky that I survived. But my shooting wasn’t the first in my family, and, even more heartbreaking, it wasn’t the last.”
Smith told of the death of her grandfather who was shot and killed during an attempted robbery at a liquor store in Chattanooga when she was 12, and how in 2014, her nephew was shot in the ankle during a drive-by shooting.
Her message to Chief Murphy and other city leaders?
“More action, and less talk,” she said.
Other speakers and panelists included: the Rev. Marcellus Barnes, founding and lead pastor of Grace Pointe Church in Chattanooga; Shadrina Booker, Chattanooga’s director of community engagement; Sharonda Brown, of nonprofit health literacy organization SistaRN in Atlanta; city of Chattanooga Office of Community Health Director Dr. Geeta Maharaj; Officer Morgan, investigator with the Chattanooga Police Department’s Gun Team; Chattanooga Youth Intervention Specialist Pablo Mazariegos; Nation of Islam Brother Kevin Muhammad of the Community Haven; LaDarius Price, a co-founder of the Lighthouse Collective and deputy director of Community Development for Hamilton County; Patricia Russell, director of Social Emotional Learning and K-12 School Counseling for Hamilton County Schools; Tony Sammons, chief equity officer for the city of Chattanooga; and Regena Young, Trauma Services Outreach and Injury Prevention coordinator for Erlanger Health System.
Members of the 423 Chain Breakers and the Be SMART (Secure, Model, Ask, Recognize and Tell) responsible gun ownership program were called to the stage and recognized.
City of Chattanooga Office of Safety and Gun Violence Prevention Executive Director Chris Sands concluded the summit with a call for unity.
“It’s going to take all of us to reach all of us,” he asserted. “The challenge is to serve our community, to be a light and a beacon of hope.”
After 25 years of service, Senior Firefighter Randy Stargin Jr. has retired from the Chattanooga Fire Department, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and community impact.
Stargin, a member of Engine 15 Blue Shift, was not only committed to his firefighting duties but also to mentoring his fellow firefighters.
Reflecting on his service, Stargin said, “I just wanted to come to work each day, get the job done, and do it well. I was extremely proud to work in the fire service and provide assistance to citizens.”
Stargin’s legacy extends beyond the firehouse as he continues to be an active member of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (IABPF). The local chapter, affectionately known as the “Brothers United,” spearheads initiatives throughout Chattanooga to enhance emergency preparedness in households.
Established in 1972, Brothers United is made up of current and retired Black firefighters who are dedicated to “training, community outreach, and advocacy.” Stargin’s contributions to the community have not gone unnoticed. He was honored with a Chattanooga NAACP Ruby Hurley Image Award and recognized as the Ralph Cothran Civil Service Officer of the Year in 2017.
Cheyenne Frye, a senior at Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences (CSAS), has secured a full-ride Questbridge scholarship to Denison University, a private liberal arts school in Granville, Ohio. The prestigious $347,000 scholarship marks a significant milestone in her academic journey.
Frye, a senior and the 2023 student body president at CSAS, said she plans to major in either criminology, sociology, or pre-law, and hopes “to become a forensic psychologist or some type of lawyer.”
Throughout her time at CSAS, Frye has excelled academically and socially. A dedicated athlete in basketball and soccer, she was also a leader in her school community through a variety of clubs and contributing to various organizations–including the Student Faculty Control Group, Paideia Society, Urban League of Greater Chattanooga National Achievers Society (23-24), Youth in Government, Black Student Association, and more.
“Being connected and well-rounded, both socially and academically, was important to me,” Frye said. “I want to ensure I am an advocate for my peers and myself. I think this intention and involvement helped set me apart when applying for this scholarship.”
Classmates and staff alike praised Frye for being a leader at CSAS. “It was important to me to feel connected to the other students in my school, regardless of our age or differences,” she said.
Frye, a soccer star at CSAS, helped lead the Lady Patriots to the Class A State Quarter Finals as a sophomore in 2021. She recalled her favorite high school memory of breaking the school record of most goals in a high school career, tallying an impressive 117 goals.
As a soon-to-be first-generation college attendee, Frye demonstrated a strong commitment to her academic pursuits. Her accomplishment of earning the Questbridge scholarship to Denison University included a rigorous application process including multiple essays, financial evaluation, and academic review.
Frye expressed that the support of her college and career advisor, Nick Siler, played a pivotal role in her achievement. Siler has served as the college and career counselor at CSAS for the past two years.
Reflecting on her experience, Frye offered advice to fellow students, saying, “Keep going and apply yourself; you are better than what you think you are.”
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Vice Chancellor for Access and Engagement Stacy Lightfoot was among the prominent leaders in the arts, business, education, entertainment, government, corporate America and community honored at the eighth annual Diamond Awards, held on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Morehouse College Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel in Atlanta.
Lightfoot was recognized in the category of Education: Excellence in Leadership, Philanthropy, Humanitarian and Community Engagement.
The Diamond Awards, dubbed the “Oscars of community service” by its host organization, the Not Alone Foundation, is a program designed to honor professional accomplishments and contributions to society on a local, state or international level.
From left, Marie Webb, EPB Vice President, Human Resources; and Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy; with Diamond Award Honoree Stacy Lightfoot at the Not Alone Foundation Gala at the Morehouse College Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel in Atlanta.
“I am incredibly honored to receive a Diamond Award,” Lightfoot said. “My sincere gratitude goes out to the Not Alone Foundation for its steadfast dedication to identifying and assisting leaders in a variety of professions. The organization’s work is incredibly inspirational, and receiving this award inspires us to keep aiming for excellence in everything we do.”
The Not Alone Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides financial, educational and medical resources for chronic kidney disease patients and their families. The foundation was established by Mark Dodd, a survivor of kidney failure.
“When I talked to (Mark Dodd), one of my first questions was, ‘How in the world did you get my name?” Lightfoot recalled. “He told me, ‘We did our due diligence. We looked at colleges and universities doing access and engagement work well and saw what UTC had done to create and build up the division.’
“To win the award is very humbling. I wake up every day living my purpose–and my purpose is to elevate and inspire. To see how our impact has reached beyond Chattanooga is the humbling part.”
According to Lightfoot, Dodd was mentored by members of the Academy Awards presentation as a graduate student at the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. As a result, when he created the Diamond Awards, he took inspiration from the Academy Awards.
Thanks to Dodd’s Hollywood connections, the entertainment industry is represented annually. Among those receiving awards alongside Lightfoot were 1980s TV sitcom stars Phylicia Rashad (who played Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show”) and Glynn Turman (Col. Taylor on “A Different World”).
Rashad is dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University.
“I shared the same stage in the same program with Phylicia Rashad, one of my idols as a child in the ’80s,” Lightfoot said. “I grew up watching “The Cosby Show,” which was the hottest show on TV, and “A Different World,” which was the spinoff of that.
“Phylicia Rashad was this strong African American actress who I emulated to be. To grace the stage with her and Glynn Turman … thinking about it, I’m still speechless–and it takes a lot to make me speechless. This award has done so.” Other Diamond Award honorees in education included UT President Randy Boyd, UT Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Dickens, UTC Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Strategy Officer Bryan Johnson and Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton.
(Special to CNC) / HU-Hampton, VA – “It is with immense pride and joy that we mark this momentous occasion in the rich history of Hampton University,” said President Williams. “We unveil the Dr. Roland M. Carter stage in our esteemed Ogden Hall. This stage was once graced by the likes of the Count Basie Orchestra, Maya Angelou, Ozzie Davis and Rubie Dee to the cinematic brilliance of Spike Lee. This stage has been a campus for cultural excellence.” The Alvin Ailey dance theater and the Virginia Symphony have recently graced the stage, along with the critically acclaimed Taraji P. Henson, and countless others.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Carter conducted a portion of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” with the HU Choir, with students and alumni performing, and was recognized as the 2024 Presidential Citizenship Award recipient, received an honorary doctorate degree and watched in awe at the unveiling of the Dr. Roland M. Carter stage in Ogden Hall.
Dr. Roland CarterDr. Roland at 2024 Founders Day with alumni Hampton University Concert Choir members, from left,Maestra D’Walla Simmons-Burke; Dr. Carter; HU 1st Lady Myra Williams; and Cheryl Franklin KeyFrom left, HU President Williams recognizes, center, Dr. Roland Carter as the 2024 Presidential Citizenship Award recipient. Dr. Carter also received an honorary doctorate degree and watched in awe at the unveiling of the Dr. Roland M. Carter stage in Ogden Hall! At right, HU First Lady Myra Williams. (Photo contributed by Cheryl Key.)Dr. Carter (at podium) on newly dedicated Dr. Roland M. Carter Stage at Ogden Hall.
“Dr. Roland M. Carter has given unselfishly, to enrich the lives of those around him and to improve our collective community, and the world,” said President Williams. “He has made significant contributions to our community and to all humanity.”
President Williams referred to Carter as the “great, modern Hampton maestro,” having “impacted the lives of thousands with his work, drawing crowds to immerse themselves in unforgettable musical experiences, elevating the HU Minister’s Conference Choir Guild’s performances to captivating heights for over 40 years,” in addition to serving 25 years of leadership to HU.
Having received innumerable honors and awards from schools and institutions across the country, Carter, an HU alumnus class of ‘64, explained that these awards from Hampton, moved him differently, citing lyrics from the HU alma mater. “No one can ever know, to come full circle and be home [and be honored]. ‘O Hampton, we never can make thee a song, except as our lives do the singing.’”
Chattanooga, TN –On Saturday, February 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM, the rescheduled Beck Knob Cemetery Historical Marker Unveiling took place. Beck Knob Cemetery has the designation of being the City’s oldest Black Organized African-American cemetery. Beck Knob was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2021.
A host of supporters and sponsors packed the one-acre boundaries of Beck Knob Cemetery. Key highlights of the program included the history of Beck Knob, recognition of living descendants, and the unveiling of the Historic Marker by Savannah Grandey-Knies and Gary James.
Beck Knob Cemetery is at 875 Dartmouth Street and Carrington Way, Chattanooga, TN 37405, on the North Shore. The historical marker was funded by the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, a program administered by the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation.
Gary James is joined at the Beck Knob Cemetery Historical Marker Unveiling by representatives of both local and regional bikers organizations. The motorcycle bikers represented Chattanoogans as well as bikers from Huntsville, AL and Kimble, TN. Pictured are members of the Soul Searchers; Southern Crusaders; Sons of God; and Bikers for Christ.
About a third of employees have faced bullying at work – here’s how to recognize and deal with it
By Jason Walker, Adler University; Deborah Circo, University of Nebraska Omaha
The phenomenon of bullying, harassment and sexual abuse in workplaces throughout North America is widespread and harmful to both individuals and organizations. In fact, bullying at work affects up to 30% of workers over time.
As practitioners and researchers who study workplace violence, including bullying, harassment and sexual abuse, we define workplace bullying as harmful acts of mistreatment between people that go beyond incivility and cross the line to intentionally causing harm.
Bullying behaviors range from verbally insulting or socially excluding someone to sabotaging the victim’s work, inflicting psychological terror and engaging in sexual abuse or physical aggression. Manipulation and provocation also play a role in bullying dynamics, and cyberbullying has emerged as a new form of workplace harassment. Research suggests the impacts of workplace bullying affect employee health and safety and the workplace overall.
In a grocery store line, if someone invades your space, shoves you aside or threatens physical harm, the police may intervene, potentially resulting in an arrest. However, in the workplace, incidents involving bullying, assault, sexual abuse or other forms of violence are typically addressed through internal investigations. Our research suggests that treating workplace bullying as a matter of public health rather than employment law is necessary to protect those being targeted.
Workplace bullying results in real harms – Targets of workplace bullying often experience serious repercussions, including stress and burnout, along with other diagnosed mental health issues and, in extreme cases, suicide.
Bullying can affect physical health, with symptoms including sleep disturbances, cardiovascular diseases, body aches and pain, loss of appetite and headaches. Targets often describe an inability to concentrate; since they’re spending time worrying about what is going to happen to them next, job performance suffers. The negative impacts can spill over to a target’s personal life and affect their relationships with family and friends.
It’s not unusual for targeted workers to feel uncomfortable coming forward and talking about their experiences. But suffering in silence can lead to an even more toxic climate at work that can undermine your victims’ sense of security, with long-term consequences for their well-being.) Read Part 2 in next CNC issue for: Personality traits of bullies and their targets; Are you being bullied?; How to respond to an ongoing situation. (The CONVERSATION)