Is that many of these managers were remarkably racist. I can't name names on this site but at least three of the managers who were fired were incredibly biased towards people who had a similar ethnic background.
They would hire, promote and protect these individuals to really a shocking degree. A store team leader for those outside the company, has a massive influence and ability to hire and promote. And I saw time and time again these managers do just that. They would pester, harass and intimidate anyone outside of their cultural background. And they would nurture and help develop people (of similar backgrounds), who in some cases had poor job skills and abilities, and take them under their wing.
I believe the strong diversity of team members in the area was always a positive thing and should be protected. And time after time these STLs brazenly defied that sense of a global community and environment for their own personal goals and whims.