Ode to Circuit City

In November of 1996 a good friend of mine won a discrimination suit against Circuit City. Coincidentally, three years earlier I had mentioned this friend and others in a conversation with my then new boss. He seemed disinterested which I later found out to be his demeanor with most of the employees he didn’t hand pick. Over the next three years I grew weary of coming to work and asked God to get me out of this mess. I probably should have been more specific, but coincidentally on the same day my friend won her case I was fired. Coincidentally her boss was married to my boss.

Having already met with the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights on one occasion regarding issues on the job, I considered contacting them but decided to focus on other matters, like finding another job and preparing for the birth of my first child which was only 8 weeks away. Fortunately for me Circuit City’s reputation around town made it easier for me to find employment. Coincidentally my new boss was the head of human resources. Coincidentally she was rejected for jury duty by Circuit City’s lawyers.

My Christian friend is (and was then) an active member in her Church and a leader in our prayer and Bible study group. My other Christian friend, who was one of the original nine plaintiffs was and is an active member of his Church and community and was a groomsman in my wedding.

Many accountants and market analysts will give many reasons explaining why Circuit City is closing their doors after 50 years, but what they’ll miss is the ramifications that come when you mess with God’s people. In 1 Chronicles 16:22 God said "Do not touch these people I have chosen, and do not hurt my prophets." Well Circuit City touched them. The Bible later says in Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. It’s no coincidence that since the time I first heard about this case Circuit City struggled to maintain their dominance. It didn’t help that they continued to appeal the verdict for over three years.

I never wish bad on anyone especially since the Bible says to pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, but I can’t deny knowing that Circuit City victimized a few Saints and for that reason 30,000 people, most of them innocent will suffer.

Since I left Circuit City (or they left me) my life has been good, and in spite of it all, I hope a miracle takes place not specifically for Circuit City, but for the sake of the many good people and friends that are still there. I hope CC learned something on November 4^th and January 20^th. I hope CC learns that their greatest asset is people; all people.

SLC

Extra Info

Lowery held both an undergraduate and masters degree in business
administration.

Shortly after Turner became manager of the Management Recruiting Department, she decided to create a new position titled Supervisor of Management Recruiting. Turner interviewed everyone in the department for the new position, including Lowery and Paige Bell (Bell), who, along with Lowery, had expressed interest in the position. Bell is white. Ultimately, Turner offered the new position to Bell, who had less seniority than Lowery, less supervisory experience before joining Circuit City than Lowery, and held neither an undergraduate nor a masters degree in business administration.