I am writing to formally express my deep concern regarding ongoing harassment, verbal abuse, and discriminatory behavior by a group of management and empoyees at the Franconia Recreation Center. These incidents have persisted for the past several months.

The issue was first encountered on when we were subjected to an ethnic slur by one of the front-desk workers (Adam), who called me an "Iraqi asshole. Go home!" As a colored American and a US citizen who has served for the federal agencies and held multiple security clearances, I found this remark highly offensive and unacceptable. When I confronted these individuals about this inappropriate behavior and clarified my ethnicity as not even Muslim or from Iraq, let alone a foreigner, it led to a pattern of ongoing bullying and verbal abuse from this mob of employees. The first employee is a young white male, perhaps named Adam, in his teenage years, and the second male, named Brian, actually the manager himself, was a slightly older white male with long hair that reaches to his waist level.

I called the rec center and left a message on the manager Christina Wu’s extension with all the pertinent details and the foul language directed at us by your employees, but never had my call returned. I was never contacted for an explanation or at least assured of any corrective actions whatsoever.

Since then, they have targeted and continued to subject us to profanities, making the check-in process traumatic and unpleasant. Not only have these two individuals engaged in extreme profanity with F* words directed at me, but they have also slandered and incited other similar coworkers to mistreat and be disrespectful when I have approached the front desk for check-in. They essentially just huddle near the front desk doing absolutely nothing while gossiping and verbally slurring non-white clients that appear at the center.

They especially mob together at the end of the day around 9pm, and whenever I have passed them, I have been taunted and harassed with slurs such as “F*ing Iraqi wants to be an American; he cannot be an American (02/24/2025 8:45pm), “it’s not our problem this a*hole isn’t white,” and “We just should gas these guys and nuke the motherf*ers (long-haired employee).”

These young hustlers not only use the “N*” word frequently amongst themselves jocularly but also have used it against others, especially the South American and South Asian populations.

Additionally, I have observed these same workers engaging in body shaming other patrons, particularly those who are overweight and have interacted with us. Such behavior is not only unprofessional but also creates a hostile and unwelcoming environment for many visitors. None of the team leaders have intervened or tried to reduce the harassment and have further laughed at it repeatedly.

I am simply seeking for me and my family to use the recreation facilities in peace, without being subjected to further harassment or discrimination. As a patient recovering from cardiac surgery, I am mandated to exercise at the facility and have found the experience stressful and anxiety-inducing. 

We reported these issues to the park service to no avail, and the hostility as well as verbal abuse only grew more brazen and opportunistic. We still managed to get a few audio recordings and have shared them with other members of the community who are very dismayed, and some have even acknowledged similar experiences. 

Here is the final email correspondence sent to both the management and Park Service that was never resolved:

“Ms. Wu

Unfortunately, my efforts to get a better understanding of the experiences at the rec center’s staff were met with grave disappointment this evening.

We had another episode of rude behavior from the female front-desk attendant. While I wished her hello and presented my card, she very rudely made a face and said “okay” in a stern manner. I prompted her to be more polite and professional, upon which she turned her face away and beckoned the next person—my wife. I was very annoyed.

I also saw the long-haired person I had complained about standing there glowering at me with an unfriendly expression.

Per your directive, I looked for the manager, and it turned out the main individual with long hair I complained about previously—Brian—is the manager himself. I approached him and tried to get an understanding of why he has been engaging in the abusive and racially profane behavior but did not get any answer. He just continued smirking and glowering in my direction.

Another female attendant intervened and disclosed that she too was a manager and told me to back off and accused me of being threatening—I was behind the desk, and Brian was in no way showing ANY signs of intimidation or feeling threatened. I insisted that all I wanted was to get to the root of this problem and to protect my civil rights. Overall, Brian’s conduct was defended and encouraged by a manager resembling a Karen, and my protest was threatened with a false allegation of trying to cause a fight. I NEVER had any intentions of that whatsoever.

I am still not sure exactly what we have done to be targeted with this vile and profane abuse and will continue to record all events for our records.

Thanks again. “

For far too long, Franconia Recreation Center has failed in its basic responsibility to provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all who walk through its doors. Repeated incidents of ethnic slurs, verbal abuse, and blatant bullying have been reported—yet the management continues to ignore these serious concerns. Despite multiple complaints, including mine, no action has been taken. Instead, a culture of silence and complicity thrives, emboldened by leaders like Brian, whose misconduct has been shielded rather than addressed by the very agencies meant to uphold public trust.

This is more than a personnel issue. It’s a systemic failure rooted in prejudice, neglect, and the misuse of power. When reports of racial abuse are dismissed or buried, when managers are allowed to perpetuate hostility without consequences, and when public institutions protect the abusers instead of the abused—our entire community suffers. These actions erode public confidence, harm individuals emotionally and psychologically, and make Franconia Recreation Center an unsafe space for many—especially those from ethnic minority groups.

We urge you to speak up, reach out, and demand an independent investigation into the conduct of Park Services, Franconia’s leadership, and staff. Contact your local representatives, the Board of Fairfax County Park Authority, and the Office of Human Rights. Share your stories, support those who’ve been affected, and insist on transparency and accountability. No public institution should operate without oversight, especially when it enables ethnic abuse and discrimination.

This isn’t just about me or a handful of incidents about standing against a culture that devalues people based on who they are. If we do not act, we allow this harm to continue. But if we stand together, we can demand the justice and change that every person in our community deserves.