Yahoo News Suits star Wendell Pierce accuses landlord of racism for rejecting flat application
Suits star Wendell Pierce has accused a landlord of racism after an application to rent a flat was rejected.
The accusation came in relation to a recent decision by the U.S. court on Monday (June 3), which saw a Black-owned venture blocked in their effort to award grants exclusively to Black women entrepreneurs (via CNN).
The judges ruled that the proposals would be “substantially likely to violate” the provisions of Title 42 of the US Code, a rule which “ensures equal rights under the law and prohibits the use of race when awarding and enforcing contracts.”
Related: Suits stars confirm reunion after breaking streaming records
Following the controversial ruling, Pierce posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) alleging that he had previously been denied a property due to his race: “For those of you who don’t understand my righteous anger; I’m on 2 TV series, Elsbeth and Raising Kanan. I’m filming Superman.
“Two years ago, I finished the fourth season of Jack Ryan. Last year I finished a run on Broadway in Death of a Salesman. Even with my proof of employment, bank statements and real estate holdings, a white apartment owner DENIED my application to rent the apartment…..
“In Harlem, of all places. Racism and bigots are real. There are those who will do anything to destroy life’s journey for Black folks. When you deny our personal experiences, you are as vile and despicable.”
For those of you who don’t understand my righteous anger; I’m on 2 TV series, ELSBETH and RAISING KANAN. I’m filming SUPERMAN. Two years ago, I finished the fourth season of JACK RYAN. Last year I finished a run on Broadway in DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Even with my proof of…
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) June 4, 2024
Related: Suits stars confirm reunion after breaking streaming records
Pierce, who played Robert Zane in Suits, wrote a follow-up post in which he explicitly referenced the recent court case, outlining that he shared his personal story to highlight the “insidious nature of bigotry.”
“URGENT: While I appreciate the response to my own personal experience of discrimination in housing, I only mentioned it as an example of the insidious nature of bigotry. This court decision is profoundly more disturbing and injurious. CALL TO ACTION,” he wrote.
Suits airs on the BBC and Netflix.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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