Chaline, a white male, was employed as a production manager at an African American–oriented radio station in Houston. Chaline had previously worked as a disc jockey at other radio stations. The radio station manager, for financial reasons, decided to combine the production manager position with that of a part-time disc jockey. Chaline desired to remain as production manager and to assume the disc jockey duties. However, the station manager told him that he lacked the proper “voice” to serve as disc jockey on the station and that he was not sensitive to the listening tastes of the African American audience.

The radio station had never had a white disc jockey.

The station manager asked Chaline to transfer to a position in the sales department; Chaline refused and was discharged. Chaline filed a complaint with the EEOC challenging his discharge on grounds of race discrimination.

If the complaint results in a suit in federal court, will Chaline be successful? Explain your answer.

See Chaline v. KCOH, Inc. [693 F.2d 477 (5th Cir.

1982)].