Racism at work
82
There’s a racist scandal going on at my work. It’s my first ever experience and exposure to racism in America. A handsome Negro, Mikey (who reports to me) came to sit down next to a young pretty white girl (who reports to another manager). She said, "The seat was taken by another guy". Mikey said, "Ok, I’ll take another one". She said, "Oh the manager said not to take that one too". Mikey said ok and moved far away. Little he knew that the girl was saying lies because later on someone overheard her saying that she doesn't like black men. That someone happened to be a white Lithuanian woman who was married to a Negro and had black kids from him. So the Lithuanian woman called the girl a racist bitch. Later she apparently talked about that to Mikey because he came to me said he’s so upset about it he couldn’t work anymore that day. I let him go home without punishment and advised to address the issue to the HR.
Next day the woman who called the girl a racist bitch was summoned up to the HR office and was given a first and final warning. The Negros at work got indignant and really mad: how come racists continue to work while the people who oppose racism get written up. A few days later Mikey came up to me and said he’s still very upset about the whole situation, mainly because the young girl is still there. He said he didn’t want to work anymore in our company and that he would sue all us here. I assured him I’ll check with HR personally on the issue.
Now I got pissed royally. Why HR wasn’t doing anything and why do I have to be involved? I only heard one side of the story and thus I’m in no position to make conclusions. To me it’s simple, if racism will be confirmed to exist in my department, I’ll get rid of all the racist fucks, because a) it sabotages everyone’s work, b) it brings down the moral, c) I won’t tolerate any racist bullshit around me. Yes, everyone has the right to preference this or that, but as long as one keeps certain things within their private life, I’m ok with it. Why do Negros in my team have to sit in the farthest aisle in the dark because they don’t feel comfortable closer to that young pretty girl? That reminds me how Negros were forced to sit in the back seats on buses fifty years ago. This is the 21st century, what the hell?
Yesterday I went to HR myself and raised hell there. Now I heard the other side of the story. Apparently the girl meant she didn’t like to date black men. Ok, that’s a bit different. But how was it actually said? I don’t know. The girl said she was terribly sorry and she would go out to the Negros to apologize in front of them. I asked the HR officer if she has spoken to Mikey. She said she hasn’t. No wonder he feels like no one gives a damn. Today I sent him to HR.
In the evening Mikey came and thanked me for my involvement in this awful matter. But now I feel awkward when I see that pretty young girl. My heart is cold and I try to communicate with her as less as possible.
CommentsLoading...
I do not believe myself to be racist, but I don't like muslims, I think they all have a hatred for Christians, I know some say they don't but I never hear the supposed good ones denouncing the bad ones! Doesn't matter if the white girl simply doesn't date black men or if she doesn't LIKE blacks! It doesn't matter! call it racism if you want to, I think the sueing part is typical of a lot of copout people! My mother was overweight and was denied nursing school for many years because of it. Later she did become a nurse and then became head of several MHMRs. Learn to overcome and we as Americans should still have the RIGHT to not like some others.
Welcome to my America, home of the brave, land of the free (if you happen to be born a pale face) I have fought this shit my whole life, even losing jobs, defending the rights of all people. I've never understood how someone can hate a whole group of people based on a few goofballs. Here comes the music again, Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights". Good for you for being part of the solution. Peace!!
davidisaiah, you're right. In fact Mikey said that if he ever tried to hit on her, he would be the one who would be immediately reported for sexual harassment and fired immediately.
Thanks for your input, American Romance!!
justom, thanks, much appreciated.
moncrieff, thanks for your intervention. Racism should not be tolerated anywhere.
First please allow me to sincerely say thank you to you and many others like you who take a stand daily when faced with racism. I've recently read this new book out called The God Defined Self A Layman's Perspective on Racism in America by Andre D. Davis where he insightfully discusses the white male fear. The white male fear is simply white america's fear of black and brown men raping, abusing and molesting white women and children. I believe this young woman is simply a bi-product of this fear. It's unfortunate that she and many others like her have allowed that fear to cripple and hinder them from having an appreciation and respect for America's black and brown citizens. For those that are like her I would recommend that you read The God Defined Self A Layman's Perspective on Racism in America; the book sheds tremendous light on the need for education and reconciliation between the races. It's found on Amazon.com and BarnesNoble.com.
Thanks for this Hub. I'm going to write about racism and my views as an adoptive father of children from different races.
Definitely write and share with us your new hub, Don Simkovich, and thanks for visiting.
Thank you for the information
Mark Monroe, thanks for reading and welcome to hubpages!
Racism is such an emotionally charged word. I commend you for getting involved.
Recently I wrote a hub about Mark Twain, who has been accused of being a racist even though he was the very opposite. Some people fail to think logically.
mysterylady89, I understand, we operate with concepts that are accepted by our society of our times. Before, and in the future, we'll charge the same old words with something different. I'm not to keen to distort or change the original meanings of words, but I understand it's a semantic evolution and since humankind - in all languages - does not come up with newer words anymore (we use more loanwords or updated meanings of old words), we have to operate with what we have.
I saw what happened simply unacceptable and called it the way this kind of behavior is called.
Why am I not surprized? Discrimination (in many shapes and forms) is practiced in America more than what we like to admite; race is only part of it. Women, gays, immigrants, specific ethnic and religious groups are victims of discrimination every day of the week in this country that considers itself the "best" in the world; what a joke!
Petra Vlah, thanks for your contribution! True, not everything is perfect and therefore we have more areas to relentlessly work on.
This is indicative of white America to somehow feel that the actions of this one girl somehow points the finger at all of them. But indeed it is not the actions of the one girl that indites you as a race, but the actions of the whole that does. I am sure this young girl of all the parties involved here is probably the most innocent participant in this whole affair. Her actions are probably the only ones that were committed in pure ignorance(although this does not excused them). The actions of the HR department, and the rest of the people however were not. No one took a stand against these people except two individuals. You and the other individual you mentioned, and she was summarily punished for her role in this. It is this lack of equal treatment for all that is at the core of racial equality. Because I have no problem with any race having a personal identity, neither do I have a problem with a individual or group distinguishing themselves from other groups ,or disliking a particular group. I have a problem with the lack of fair, and equal treatment, and justice for all. Hate me all you want, but treat me fairly and the same. I commend you for your actions, but do not treat this young girl with disdain educate her help her to understand.
Thank you for this hub. I just posted a hub asking why aren't the history of African Americans being taught in schools. I was asking the question if that is still a form of racism. I don't think there are going to be very many answers, but that is ok. If it is racist, it is very quiet. I am also sorry I put my hub in here, you can delete it, that would be ok by me.
Michele Travis, thanks. I read your hub and voted it up.
Moncrieff, As a black woman I have to thank you for stepping into a situation that could have gotten dicey. Might I please ask, that you refer to us as black and not "Negro" I almost felt like putting a rag on my head and singing a spiritual when I read the word Negro (if I could only sing!).
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you may have thought this girl was pretty, but I highly doubt that Mikey felt the same, especially after the very first time he was asked to move.
Historically speaking, women like this have been the reason for undreds, if not thousands of senseless lynchings. They start lies that a black man is attracted to them or that he has made untoward advances to her and the next thing you know this innocent man is castrated and swinging from the end of a rope - on fire.
The white female has always been the princess, not to be touched or even looked upon by the black man when this woman made her accusations everyone sprung into action to protect her from the big black sweating slave waiting to rape her in the break room, I assume. No one took into consideration the fact that this man was being asked to relocate over and over to satiate some womans whims. No one thought that his feelings may have been hurt. This borders on blatant racism.
Racism in the workplace is often very subtle. I worked for IBM and wasn't allowed in the breakroom while the men were there. I was considered a distraction.
The office manager actually put it in a letter. The women didn't talk to me, the men had to sneak and speak to keep the women happy. I refused to quit, and I refused to sue. Knew how miserable my presence made them and it was all worth it.
As for this woman apologizing, I don't buy it for a second. She got busted and didn't get the result she wanted so she had to apologize. I'm sure the ideal outcome for the princess would have been Mikey relocating to the fry machine at McDonald's.
davidisaiah 23 months ago
You're taking a stand is admirable. I wonder if the young woman's apology was more about getting caught than true repentance. Mikey did not sit next to her to ask for a date. That could be sexual harassment on his part. Thanks for standing up. It is all of our responsibility to do so.