Could Quoting A Snoop Dogg Catchphrase At Work Create A Hostile Work Environment?

Over the weekend, several news outlets ran this story about a white television news anchor in Mississippi who went viral for using one of rapper Snoop Dogg's catchphrases, "Fo shizzle, my nizzle," during a live broadcast. This unexpected comment appeared to stun the station's meteorologist, who is black.

Just look at his face.

It's not clear whether the white news anchor was disciplined or fired. But it got me wondering.

Could quoting Snoop Dogg be bad enough to create a racially hostile work environment?

Well, to establish a hostile work environment claim, a plaintiff must prove that (1) he belongs to a protected group; (2) he was subjected to unwelcome harassment; (3) the harassment complained of was based on race; (4) the harassment affected a term, condition, or privilege of employment; and (5) the employer knew or should have known of the harassment and failed to take prompt remedial action.