Fired Black Cashier Claims Termination Resulted from Expressing Her Appreciation for Kanye West

A former Black cashier at Restaurant Depot is bringing a lawsuit against the wholesale restaurant supply retailer. The plaintiff, Passion Schoolfield, claims that she faced discrimination and wrongful termination at the Baldwin Hills warehouse because she expressed her admiration for the rapper, formerly known as Kanye West, to another customer.

In her lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Schoolfield alleges wrongful termination, race discrimination, violation of free speech under the state constitution, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and defamation. She is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

A representative from Restaurant Depot has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding the lawsuit.

Restaurant Depot is a membership-based wholesale supplier that provides produce, beverages, and equipment to various businesses, including bars and restaurants. Schoolfield was hired as a cashier in September at the company’s warehouse on Jefferson Boulevard and had an outstanding performance record. However, on November 15, while discussing celebrities with customers in her line, a white customer overheard her saying, “I like Ye, he keeps it real.”

The white customer left his line and aggressively confronted Schoolfield, repeatedly asking her if she liked Ye, as stated in the lawsuit.

Schoolfield maintained her professionalism and did not respond to the white customer. He then went to discuss his concerns with the store’s general manager, according to the suit.

Moments later, Schoolfield was suspended and subsequently fired the next day. The lawsuit further claims that she has suffered significant financial losses and emotional distress due to her discriminatory termination.