OKLAHOMA CITY – A discrimination civil rights lawsuit against Oklahoma City University was settled for an undisclosed amount, court records show.
Katara M. Eason filed the lawsuit in August with the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. An order settling the lawsuit was entered on Feb. 10.
Eason, an African American female, was employed from August 1, 2016, to May 1, 2018. During that time, Eason experienced differential treatment from her supervisors due to her race, the complaint states.
Eason also complained of being isolated and avoided by her supervisors. She accused Diana Blackmon, an associate professor, of racial insensitive comments. Blackmon also serves as the chair for the nursing program.
Lois Salmeron, Professor of Nursing, gave Eason a handwritten note for her birthday written on a “Monkey Doodle” notepad. The paper displayed an image of a monkey and stated “Monkey Doodles” at the top of the paper.
Eason explained to Salmeron the birthday greeting written on a piece of paper with an image of a monkey was very offensive to her. Salmeron dismissed her remarks and stated the birthday greeting on the Monkey Doodles notepad was given to everyone.