The Thin Line Between being Racist and being Ig'nant
February 6, 2009 4 Comments
Happy Friday!!!
A big thanks to everyone who has visited Goddess Intellect and left a comment this week, it means a lot to me J
A comment from my bi-racial post earlier this week inspired today’s post. Toodamncute mentioned that her cousin received hateful comments regarding bi-racial people from her co-workers. That instantly made me thinks of racism and its subtleties in the work environment. Why did I feel as if this was a great way to end the week? Not too sure, but please, scroll down, enjoy, and of course if you have any thoughts don’t hesitate to comment!
As you’ve probably guessed by now, I am a very controversial REAL writer/person. And if this is your first time checking out the Goddess Intellect blog, feel free to scroll down even further and check out my progress this week. To think, I used to be that quiet, shy, little soft spoken nerdy girl in class. Okay I still am that quiet soft spoken nerdy girl, I even have a hello kitty laugh, but when need be I will raise hell, watch out!
Why the fiyah? I’ve developed layers of tough skin over the years thanks to a tumultuous family saga, school yard bullying, lack of +ve male role models, and being forced into independent living at the age of 18.
Crying yet? I’m not. Please, keep reading.
A while ago I was discussing color and the workplace with a friend. She was new on the job and mentioned that she was a part of the small percentage of employees of color in her office. Frustrated, she complained that her supervisor purposely dumped a heavier workload on her than the other employees in the identical position as her. She found herself staying late hours many nights while her boss left early to go to spin classes. She was left at a disadvantage as she had to have all e-mail replies approved prior to sending them. With no boss around, there was not much she could accomplish. As her work piled up so did my friend’s frustration.
This led her to believe that she was being picked on & singled out because she was one of the only employees of color. One may argue that because she was new to the position that perhaps she was unprepared for the heavy workload and that considering she was still under probation, possibly her supervisor was only giving her the opportunity to prove herself. I empathized with her because although I am not the only employee of color in my office, I am far from the majority. I also pointed out to her that in any new position, you will be “challenged”.
In a professional work environment there are usually no obvious threats of racism present, no white-hooded clansmen circling the perimeter, no swastika screensavers, and no burning crosses placed inconspicuously in parking spaces. You are addressed by your first name or just last name in some instances, may be given a workspace, computer, allowed lunch breaks and given descent shit pay.
But what about the subtle signs of racism? I’m not referring to the usual stereotypical cracks at lunch that everyone can laugh about, “Asians can’t drive, white guys can’t jump etc.,” or maybe I am. I am referring to the occurrences where a person of minority felt slighted, perhaps even targeted, but kept their mouth shut, because they weren’t sure if they were hearing or seeing things.
Real talk, I strongly believe that if you think its racist, it is racist.
Was my friend who was new to the job justified for feeling as if she was being targeted because of her color and rank in the company? Absolutely! Should she go to the local news channel and complain? Umm ..probably not. Regardless, I feel these feelings of subtle racism being perpetrated must be addressed, regardless of how big or small they may seem in the eyes of others.
I advised her to meet with her employer and discuss her progress with the new position. Who knows, perhaps my friend was ignorant to the fact that her work competencies were not compatible to the job and maybe needed to look for employment elsewhere or possibly the supervisor had no idea that the workload was too heavy.
The outcome of the meeting was disappointing. My friend’s employer did not acknowledge that the work load was too heavy; in fact she did a 360 and gave my friend an ultimatum. “If it’s too much work for you to handle perhaps this is not the right position for you.” Discouraged my friend decided to tough it out. She became more assertive, and quit staying ridiculous hours.
For certain, my friend and other minorities will encounter subtle signs of racism everyday in the workplace. It’s not right, you can’t avoid it, but it is important to acknowledge that a lot of the subtleties are directly a result of ignorance. For example my friend’s boss refused to recognize that her management skills were poor and expected a new employee to carry the weight with inadequate supports in place. Also, although my friend’s supervisor did not admit it, she may have also harbored certain prejudices towards her new employee?
As the corporate world becomes more diversified, my hope is that more tolerance is developed towards other races. But as a minority it’s hard to ignore the fact that you are different, not everyone at work will accept or like the fact that you look the way you do.
So hmmm….where does that bring us?
We’ve explored the thin line between racism and ignorance came to the conclusion that they are directly related, in most cases. Have you ever had a feeling that an employer or co-worker treated you unfair based on race? When you confronted them, were your point of views then altered?
Do you feel as though I am jumping the gun by coming to conclusion that my friend’s employer may have harbored prejudices? Let me know!
I keep one eye open when I sleep @ night,
Tee’d Off
Uncategorized
This sounds familiar
Hey Jemstone!
LOL…What part sounds most familiar?
All of it! The sad thing is executives and high ranking people in the particular industry I am working in, admited to me that there are no “minorities” in their position!!!! They are mostly working in the accounting department or are some secretary….And you know, from my own observation that ish is true…. But I refuse to let them limit me…they are trying their best though!!!!!
Good for you Jemstone!! Yea it’s that glass ceiling effect. I mean as a minority and a woman I’m glad to have a job in the industry I am in, but at the same time I feel like I gotta work ten times as hard…and I know It will take me a lot longer to move up than my co-workers of the “majority”.
But in the corporate world u gotta pick and choose your battles and be assertive…let them know from the jump that u not gonna be stepped on..which is what I encourage my friend and all minorities to do.