Alexander Harrington Is a Black Man with a Law Degree

Alexander Harrington is a black man with a law degree from one of the top law schools in the country. Under an affirmative action recruiting program, he is hired as the first black associate at a prestigious law firm. The partner for whom he works gives him routine assignments which he handles outstandingly. After a few months, Alex realizes that the firm's other first-year associates have recently been given more complex projects. Alex asks the partner for more challenging work and is told that the work he is being given is what the partner needs and is appropriate for Alex's level of experience. Although Alex receives a six-month bonus similar to that given to other associates, he complains to the managing partner about the level of his assignments. He is told that an associate is to do the work assigned by the partner for whom he works. Alex files a complaint of race discrimination with the EEOC.

A) Alex has no basis for a complaint of race discrimination because his bonus was not affected by his assignments.
B) Alex has no basis for a complaint of race discrimination because the reasons given to Alex by the partner for whom he works are legitimate and non-discriminatory.
C) Alex has a basis for a complaint of discrimination because his assignments can affect his career development and he is being treated differently from others who are similarly situated and not of his race.
D) Alex has a basis for a claim of discrimination because the managing partner did not assign more complex work to him directly.