Working in a racist organization...?

[Anonymous]

I'm working in a place where people are quite narrow-minded and don't like the 'black girl' in the place to seemingly appear to outshine them. I've had a 3 incidents which I believe would not have caused as much of a stir if they took place in another locality. I know this since a girl who is also black and knew what happened, remarked that she had never witnessed so much drama over a move which solved a longstanding problem in one night. I like to look at both sides of a coin and reflect over the areas I too could have done better or avoid if in similar situations. I've found that people are quite passive aggressive and really are just tolerating me. I'll be working here for a short time only. I find it interesting that in this country (non US), there would be such a problem with being direct re particular 'small issues.' Most like to be politically correct OR avoid the elephant in the room. No one likes to bring things to the table and be upfront when there's a problem.

Do you get this in your own job? What challenging characters do you work with and how do you deal with them?

[jacquesvol]

At the office where I work, one of the managers was an extreme rightist racist (the b*st*rd died 10 years ago). He hired only once a person (a kitchen help of Indian origin) who was not white.

She did not stay long: an assistant manager started saying the personnel did not want a colored person serving meals (I never heard anyone saying that, only that assistant manager). She was fired after a few weeks.

There were other incidents but they were more political and religious.

[Anonymous]

It's going to be racism at jobs even though it's 2013. People who think otherwise are delusional. Non Minorities are notorious for nitpicking and faultfinding.

[Asker]

I am from a very mixed and very 'Caucasian' family - I've not been brought up to think 'racism' and in fact my husband and mother are white. I have spent most of my life with 'white' people...It is not natural for me to think of race because the people I know are the people I love and live with happily. This is one of the first places, I've noted how much I'm only 'tolerated.'

[Opinion Owner]

At least you didn't grow up a 100% Black or Hispanic. You would've encountered more racism then.

[Asker]

I'm actually 100% Black but my family are very mixed. Think of a Brazilian family OR the UN, as we joke. I was adopted...

[Opinion Owner]

This is just one of the things you're going to have to deal with. Just because you find whites to be attractive, nice,etc. Doesn't mean you'll never encounter any who are racist and hate you. There's even white people who believe that non white people are trying to destroy them through race mixing link

[Asker]

It's funny you make that comment because when I was 18, one young man referred to that same statement. It was his belief that we should stay within our own race and not deviate. As everything, it's an opinion. Your link sounds like something from the British National Party or Combat 18.. how did you come across this YouTube video?

[Opinion Owner]

One day I read something about how white people will become a minority world wide by the year 2050 . The article said that since white people are now waiting longer to have kids, that white births have now fallen behind births of other racial groups . link

[Asker]

Well, because there is a Europe, I can't believe that the Aryan race would disappear that easily. I know countries such as Poland where it is almost an abomination to marry outside of their own...

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah but whites still aren't having babies like they used too. plus white men are being worshiped more than ever by Latino, Indian ,Asian and recently black women, So white women have their work cut out for them.

[Asker]

Are you white yourself?

[Opinion Owner]

No black.

[Asker]

Are you in the US or UK?

[Opinion Owner]

USA

[Asker]

Shame. Was going to send you a link to watch a program from a UK channel.

'Ghetto Britain: 30 years of Racism.' If you have a UK VPN, you could check it out... link

[Opinion Owner]

Sorry don't have one, but what's it about?

[Anonymous]

I have worked for and been bullied by some very abusive people: narcissists, misogynists and just mean, catty women who feel threatened and try to undermine my work. I'm not good at dealing with it, tbh, and am still learning how to deal with it. I'm a sensitive person and it really bothers me sometimes. In certain circumstances I've mouthed off and other times I've kept records; I always fight back in some way because if I try to ignore it it just eats me up inside.

[Asker]

I think I'm like you and yes the undermining is subtle but there. I've never experienced it as much as this area. I've learned this...speak positive towards them and also behind their backs. They will not expect it, they will expect a negative reaction from you and definitely not something 'nice.' If you do that, no one can state that you're a 'loudmouthed person' who always gets into fights. People will expect the worst from you just 'because' but you do not need to step down to their level...

[Opinion Owner]

I'm white but I have a disability that is not visible and people often misunderstand it. It's also something I got later in life so I've had to acclimate to discrimination, which is harder because if it were something I'd dealt with my whole life that would make me less angry, I think. I don't think I stoop to their level entirely because I don't judge others according to the criteria by which they judge me.

[Opinion Owner]

Most of the time I do try to let it go and be the bigger person but I've found that if you don't put a bully in their place occasionally they will simply keep it up just because they can. Sometimes people aren't aware of how they're affecting you and so if you just call attention to it they will stop, but other bullies want a punching bag. If you fight back you are no longer a complacent punching bag.

[Anonymous]

I'm Hispanic and work at a denny's. That can get uncomfortable sometimes, because I hear them making jokes, and they're not very nice to non-white customers.