Note: This article revisits a story originally covered in January 2017.
Bo Bice, known for his runner-up finish on “American Idol,” has alleged that he was racially targeted at a Popeyes restaurant located at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.
According to Bice, 41, an employee at the fast food chain referred to him as “that white boy” and subsequently delivered his meal to the wrong person. The Daily Mail reports that the staff involved laughed while making this comment.
Bice also claims that one of the employees mocked his name for an extended period, using various derogatory nicknames such as “Bow-Bow, Boo-Boo, and Bo-Bo.”
In response, Bice shared photos and identified one of the employees on social media.
“I feel if the roles were reversed and I had used insensitive language, it would lead to a boycott and impact my career negatively,” Bice told WTTG, explaining his frustration.
Facebook removed his post, citing it as a form of bullying and a violation of their policy against “identifying and shaming private individuals.”
Bice expressed his frustration in a follow-up post, accusing Facebook of siding with the corporate entity rather than addressing the validity of his complaint. He criticized the platform for suppressing his perspective on what he perceives as racial double standards.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen subsequently issued an apology, stating that the company does not support the behavior exhibited by its employee and has taken corrective measures.
Bice requested that the employee not be terminated but instead undergo sensitivity training, which he communicated directly to the employee’s manager, Edith Hunter.
Sources: Daily Mail, WTTG, Bo Bice/Facebook
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