Racial Discrimination Suit Filed Against Montco University

ABINGTON, PA — A former Penn State Abington English teacher is suing the school, alleging he was discriminated against because he spoke out against the school's anti-racist policies.

Zack K. De Piero, 40, a former assistant teaching professor of English and composition, filed a federal suit in June against the school, Penn State trustees, and Penn State administrators.

"Defendants instructed De Piero that outcomes alone — regardless of the legitimacy of methods of evaluation, mastery of subject matter, or intentions — demonstrate whether a faculty member’s actions are racist or not," the suit reads.

It goes on to allege the defendants "discriminate twofold on the basis of race."

"First, Defendants’ bigotry manifests itself in low expectations," the suit reads. "They do not expect black or Hispanic students to achieve the same mastery of academic subject matters as other students and therefore insist that deficient performance must be excused. Accurate assessment of abilities, if it happens to show disparate performance among different racial groups, is therefore condemned as 'racist.' Second, Defendants’ bigotry manifests itself in overt discrimination against students and faculty who do apply consistent standards, especially white faculty."

The suit alleges the "the race-based dogma meant that teachers like De Piero were 'racist' simply by virtue of teaching while 'white.'"

It accuses defendants of condemning De Piero and other white faculty members of "teaching while 'white.'"

De Piero subsequently filed complaints about the school with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, but the suit said the alleged discrimination against De Piero continued.

The suit also claims De Piero was censored when a piece of writing he produced was not published in the school's newsletter, alleged administrators did not publish it due to it featuring "improper thoughts and viewpoints."

After questioning anti-racist trainings, a bullying and harassment complaint was filed against De Piero by two of the defendants.

The suit claims De Piero never spoke hostilely, raised his voice, or used insulting language when questioning the trainings, which the suit said were targeting white people.

"At Penn State, it is perfectly acceptable to harangue faculty (as well as students and staff) on the basis of race for being white, but it is 'bullying' to ask questions about it at a meeting," the suit reads.

De Piero resigned his position in August 2022.

The suit is seeking damages in an unspecified amount, and to expunge any and all disciplinary records from his file.