Before I start it’s important to state that I am also black. (Father is black, mother is Puerto Rican)

We all have an employee or coworker who is outspoken and says what she thinks and blames it on having a “sassy” or “blunt” personality, mine is Candace. The “speak first and if you don’t like what I gotta say then that’s your problem” headspace but she is good at her job and I never have to ask her twice to so anything. Generally as her manager I don’t really mind if since I grew up with it in my background and I know she isn’t being malicious and most of the employees enjoy her personality who happen to also be black but some of the other employees who aren’t black see her as rude, loud and arrogant. But she’s really good at what she does in her work.

One of my other employees (Bridget) came to me and complained bc Candace spoke and has been saying random things in convo that’s offensive to her and a few others. Ex: telling the white employees she’s “gonna avoid their food at the company potluck bc they probably make food as unseasoned and white as their skin and culture” …and if the topic of racial events on the news come up she’ll tell the white employees that they’re opinions aren’t valid bc oppressors they’re white privilege isn’t welcome here.

I spoke to Candace a few times and told her that that’s not appropriate and she needs to chill. She said she’s just blunt and my response is “blunt isn’t a personality”. She understood and thing went silent for a few months

Well the Shannon Sharpe issue came up and I was in the break room getting coffee when I overheard Mandy who walked in (who happens to be white) saying that she heard about it on fb and it’s a shame another celebrity is getting into trouble.

Candice replied and says “well that’s what black men get for dealing with you white disasters”

I was in shock and before I could say anything Mandy said “I have mixed sons. I understand the dangers for my half black sons and I’m allowed to express my concerns”

Candice yells back “you don’t get to have an opinion, you may have laid up with a black man but obviously since there’s no ring on your finger you’re just like the white girl he was messing with and the downfall of another black man who will die by the hands of a White woman”

Mandy burst into tears and left. (Mandy’s husband died 2 years ago in a car accident. Mandy was driving and the car was t boned and her husband apparently died instantly-Candice doesn’t know that)

Right then and there in the break room in front of everyone I told Candice she’s fired and to get her stuff and go. Racism isn’t tolerated. Her response was “I’m black, we can’t be racist. She’s just being soft”. I told her I don’t care what she thinks she needs to go now. Some of my employees think I over reacted but I spoke to her 2 times prior. Things were going great for almost year when I spoke to her and it just erupted

AITAH for firing her for sharing her opinion and not just writing her up again?