updated 5:51 p.m. ET April 19, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - A former salesman for the Philadelphia Eagles Radio Network was awarded $614,000 in a discrimination case after being given a book that advised blacks selling to whites not to wear Afros or African-style clothing.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission issued the ruling Feb. 28 against Viacom Inc. and Infinity Broadcasting, the network’s parent companies.

“It’s been a very tough road, standing up for what you believe in,” said Shawn Brooks, 34, who said his family is of mixed race.

Supervisors at the radio network distributed an advice book called “New Dress for Success” by John T. Molloy in 2001, Brooks said. The book also advises Hispanic salespeople to “avoid any hair tonic that tends to give a greasy or shiny look to the hair; this also triggers a negative reaction.”

Brooks complained to a supervisor, but got no response, the Human Rights Commission said. He resigned less than a year into the job.

“This is the most egregious case of published documentation on stereotyping and bias toward race, gender and religion in the workplace the commissioners have seen in a long time,” commission Chairman Stephen A. Glassman said.

An attorney for Infinity did not immediately return a call Tuesday.

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