One Williamsburg “Karen” has had to learn the hard way that racism doesn’t pay the bills.
Emma Sarley was fired from her job after a confrontation in McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, last Saturday. After the couple uploaded footage of her telling the Black couple to “stay in [your] hood” at the dog park, Sarley went viral.
Frederick Joseph, a marketing guru, an Elizabeth Warren campaign surrogate and the author, claims Sarley wrongly thought the dog was barking too loudly. The video lasts 30 seconds and begins after she allegedly uttered the impudent directive. Sarley also flipped Joseph the bird before stomping off — which was caught on camera.
Joseph soon reached out to Bevy, a virtual conferencing company, to report Sarley’s offensive behavior. They didn’t drag their feet.
“I’m hoping Black colleagues and peers don’t have to face this sort of racism from Emma,” he tweeted.
Bevy CEO Derek Andersen quickly responded: “Yesterday an employee engaged in behavior contrary to our values and has been terminated,” he said. “We apologize deeply to all involved.”
Speaking to The New York Post, Sarley insists her words were not racially motivated.
“My reference to ‘back to your hood’ only referred to another dog park outside of this neighborhood park,” Sarley said in a statement. “I was frustrated and upset, but to be clear – I had no intended racial undertones in my comments whatsoever. I said it because it’s an unstated rule at our local park that when a dog is being aggressive, owners immediately remove them so it can be a calm, welcoming environment for everyone else.
“However, I fully understand how my words could’ve been interpreted and I deeply wish I had chosen them more carefully,” she said. “A brief and thoughtless moment in my life has now led to nationwide outrage and hurt. For that, I am sorry.”
