If you heard a conversation like this (being of ANY race) containing these particular comments how would that make you feel? Would you be offended? Would it not effect you at all?
"A guy came in asking if we were hiring, but he didn't have a
resume' and for all I know he probably doesn't even have his 'papers.' "
"It wouldn't matter if he literate or not as long as he can read
numbers off of dials; and most people from Mexico know their numbers."
While holding up his watch, "If he can tell the time from the hands on a
watch, then he's hired!"
If you are one that is offended, would you confront the person? Would you tell a supervisor?
What if the person that said these things IS a supervisor?
(Sad to say, that my boss's boss is the one that said these comments.)
***If you are one that is not offended or don't see anything wrong with these comments, you can stop reading now.***
There aren't many things that can send me over the edge, but this is one thing that does. Racial comments, regardless of the race being targeted, MAKES MY SKIN CRAWL AND MY BLOOD BOIL! I wanted to jump out of my chair, and tell him off so bad! No one, no matter who you are, has the right to say demeaning and discriminatory comments about any race, at any time. You could be the f**king President of the United States for all I care, and that STILL doesn't give you the right!
My hands were shaking, my eyes wallowed up with tears, and my face turned so hot I had to go outside. I called my husband and told him how upset it made me, and to please talk me down before I say something I'm going to regret later. It took a while, but I'm ok now. No, I'm not going to say anything to him or any other supervisor, only because this issue has me so upset I don't want to get so emotional that I end up stressing myself out and it effecting our baby. Nothing is more important than the little miracle we have inside. No ignorant jerk or his comments, are worth what I have going on.
And yes, I do realize that my overly active hormones may be a little of what is fueling my emotions.
There, I said it. Now I'm curious to know what your outtake is on this topic.
Go!
7 comments:
It's my position that if racial slurs are made in my presence, I make a point to say, "you know that's not right," or "you know you're wrong for that one." I generally keep it a light rebuke because I've found that is usually enough to prick a person's conscience.
I think silence is the same as condoning the offending attitudes and beliefs. In your situation, I think you excercised wisdom though. It would do you or your family no good to angrily go off on your supervisors!
I don't get very upset about others' ignorance especially if they're not Christians. I've come to a place where I strive to pray for them instead.
By the way, I'm not white so I hear my fair share of racial stereotypes and speak up regardless of whether it comes from loved ones, others or if it is directed at me.
Sad but true, these people are out there everywhere and of every race/ethnicity/sexual orientation, etc. And the worst part is, they are usually the ones reproducing the most rapidly and teaching their young "the ways of the world" from their eyes.
I can honestly say I've not heard many racial comments in my adulthood, directed at me or others around me of different races. But, I can attest to the fact that caucasians (that would be me) aren't excluded from the slurs. In high school, slurs towards us were commonplace, especially growing up in a small town...we were just supposed to laugh them off, I guess because somehow they always slid under the radar.
So, I am not sure what I'd do if I heard such a bold (and stupid) declaration. For someone to be so brazen and talk like that in what is expected to be a professional atmosphere though just shows how ignorant that person is - how in the world did they land an upper level management position??? Do you have an HR Director? You could always file a report just so it's on record.
Unfortunately, at some point in time we'll all be a victim of racial slurs...it's just all over the place. Small steps though...we can teach our children about humanity and just hope to start a chain reaction.
It is unacceptable whether it is a BOSS or the Janitor. No one should say anything like that. Unfortunately, most of us are guilty of racial slurs without even knowing. Whether we are assuming stereotypes exist (which I learned in business communications that they do not exist, major argument with teacher, lol)or making silly jokes that are not meant to harm but really do. Those of us who are role models (Parents, teachers, aunts, etc) need to make sure we do not pass on the ignorance that our parents and family did. Just because these stereotypes exist does not mean we have to make jokes that encourage them. A little laugh is not worth the detramental damage that is VERY hard to undo. I live in a very multicultural area where we are lucky we have all blended well.
Hold your head high and do what you feel is right. I myself would make sure he realized that he made comments in front of someone who has an ethnic background. The only thing is this person probably thinks Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Dominicans are all the same anyway.
Sorry you are mad. Take deep breaths!
Disclaimer...please read this post as if you and I were having a civilized conversation. I know tone sometimes gets lost when reading type but I want you to know that I write this very calmly and it is just my opinion on the matter.
As I was reading some of the comments you recieved, one thing sort of bothered me and if I take that persons advice and say to her "I dont not agree with the statement you made and think you should rethink what you wrote and maybe change it" do you think she will be upset?
What I mean is the statement Sharee made...
"By the way, I'm not white so I hear my fair share of racial stereotypes and speak up regardless of whether it comes from loved ones, others or if it is directed at me."
This to me says that Sharee is under the assumption that people who are White do not hear THEIR share of racial stereotypes.
I must say, I myself am "WHITE". I would like to point out that while I am considered into that category by society, government and various organizations, I really do not resemble that of a drab wall.
Just because we are "white" does not mean that we do not hear our fair share of racial stereotypes. I think people seem to forget that and always assume the "White" people are the ones doing the slurring.
Some stereotypes of "Whites" such as...
Redneck, cracker, white trash, Hillbillies, etc.
When people of other nationalities think of white people, they usually think of somebody with long hair and a skateboard who refers to everyone as "dude". I can honestly say, I dont think I have used the word DUDE more than once in my life. I myself am considered a "dumb blonde" even though I am very well educated. People also assume that white people have rich families. At no point in my life so far have I or anyone in my family ever been rich, or even remotely comfortable financially.White people are also assumed to be generally frightened by people of colour, and to generally associate with people of their own persuasion.Even when I'm not familiar with someone, I'm not going to be afraid of them just because their skin is darker than mine.I'll stare anyone in the eye to see who they are.
I don't like being labelled as a "white girl", anymore than a black person likes being looked at like a thief when trying to buy something from a store.
I don't like it anymore than a Latin person likes being accused of moving to this country illegally, or an Asian person being assumedly a genius.
If you’ve ever watched Dave Chappelle or listened to his comedy routine, you’d already know these white stereotypes exist. More importantly, if you’ve ever watched any sitcom, you’d know them too. You can make fun of white people without fear of backlash, but if you’re white and poke fun of another race, watch out. Go into hiding.
Anyway, my reason of posting is that when we are talking about race, we need to keep EVERY race in mind. We shouldnt single out people who are the majority and assume that they dont feel the rath of ignorance.
Honestly, I dont consider myself white. I am American with a European decent. I think we ALL need to be more aware of the feelings of the HUMAN RACE and stop putting everyone into their own categories. I myself am the minority in my area but I am surrounded by good people, great families and wonderful Americans who dont let me feel like an outsider around here.
That is all. Sorry to hijack Jennie.
I agree - if we are going to talk about stereo-typing then let's include all races. And to take the "what I consider myself" a step further....I consider myself an American - that's it - not an Italian American, not an Irish American, not an English-American, not a German American, just plain AMERICAN - maybe there would be more cohesion in our own country if we think of ourselves as just plain AMERICAN!!!!
In answer to your question Jennie - unfortunatly you had no choice but to keep quiet. Some people are just ignorant.
I once had someone say a racial comment in front of me - I don't know why he thought I would think it was appropriate - anyway - I said to him - "that is really F'd up - My dad is that nationality"
Every time he walked in he felt like such an ass - I finally told him the truth about 3 weeks later - but I hope it made him think twice before ever spurting out racial comments like that again.
What we CAN do - is teach our children to be better - better than our parents, better than us - better to eachother.
OK - I will get off my soap box now.
Hi Lauren ~ I'm not offended at all. I completely agree with most of your comment and can easily see why you thought I was excluding caucasian people from the group of those who hear racial slurs.
In hindsight, I should have just been more specific about my race instead of making a blanket "I'm not white" statement.
My motivation in mentioning my ethnicity had nothing to do with me trying to imply caucasians don't feel the hurt of racism. Let me elaborate.
Racist comments within my race are usually deemed *okay* by society. Let me explain. People of my race tend to make so many racist jokes about others within and outside our race and I hear it literally all the time. On t.v., radio and around family and acquaintences. To me it is offensive and not something to joke about.
I had no idea others experience the same thing which is why I just don't feel qualified to share from other races' perspectives. I can share only a very limited point of view on that so I chose to just talk about myself.
I agree that it would be wonderful to simply be called an American ... it would be wonderful to go without racial, gender and religious labels. I guess the change will come one person at a time.
But back to my statement ... I apologize for offending you. Please know it wasn't my intention and I hope my explanation clears things up a little.
It's good that you spoke up so that you could add balance to Jennie's comments section.
Hugs!
P.S. I am very open to a civil discussion if you'd like me to clarify anything that still might not sit right with you ...momax3angels@yahoo.com
Sharee-Thank you for having class! It is so uncommon these days on the internet. YOu dont have to elaborate any further. I do know that a civilized discussion is possible if ever needed. Thank you for restoring a little bit of my faith in people. So nice to see that I can have an intellectual debate, conversation, discussion with someone.
Post a Comment