Yang v. Knight Ridder Digital
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
George Yang appeals pro se the district court’s grant of summary judgment in his employment discrimination action against his former employer, Knight Ridder Digital (KRD). We affirm.
DISCUSSION
Yang was employed by KRD for a few weeks in 2003. He was terminated because KRD determined he was uncooperative, confrontational, and lacked the requisite communication skills for the job. Yang asserts, however, his discharge was impermissibly based on his age, race and national origin. We agree with the district court that Yang failed to submit evidence to rebut KRD’s ample demonstration that Yang’s discharge was for a legitimate business reason. See McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 804, 93 S.Ct. 1817, 36 L.Ed.2d 668 (1973) (noting burden shifts to employee to submit evidence demonstrating that employer’s articulated reason is a pretext for discrimination). His claim of an isolated racial remark is not sufficient to demonstrate discriminatory intent. The alleged remark was neither proximate in time to Yang’s termination nor made by the individual responsible for Yang’s termination. See Vasquez v. County of Los Angeles, 349 F.3d 634, 640 (9th Cir. 2003); Manatt v. Bank of America, 339 F.3d 792, 798-99 (9th Cir. 2003). We accordingly affirm the summary judgment in favor of KRD.
AFFIRMED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- George Guang YANG v. KNIGHT RIDDER DIGITAL
- Status
- Published