In a disturbing display of hate speech, Attorney Sarah Chowdhury was recently criticized for an antisemitic social media diatribe that immediately lead to the loss of her job. The deeply disturbing act was highlighted by an anonymous account on Instagram, known as biglawboiz, which is popular within the Biglaw community.
The hateful messages sent by Chowdhury described as horrifiying included statements such as “Vermin should have all been killed decades ago,” “All you Zionists will pay,” and “Hopefully someone sends you anthrax or poison and you die a slow terrible death.” She continued her screed with pro-Hitler remarks, writing, “I’d rather put you in a gas chamber bet you’d like that. With all your Zionist ancestors. Hitler should have eradicated all of you.”
After these messages, shared by biglawboiz, went viral, Chowdhury was relieved of her position at the Illinois Comptroller’s office. A spokesperson for the office confirmed to Reuters that she was “immediately fired” after admitting to at least some of the posts. The spokesperson further stated that Comptroller Susana Mendoza, “has zero tolerance for antisemitism or hate speech.”
Earlier this year, Chowdhury was named president of the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago. She was immediately removed from her position once her hateful messages came to light. In response to the incident, the Association published a statement clarifying its stance against hate and apologizing for any harm caused by Chowdhury’s actions.
The use of social media for such explicit hate speech, particularly in the professional world, raises serious questions about discretion and judgment, particularly for those in the legal profession.