Racism

[indysteel]

I am often caught so off guard and so offended/appalled that I am speechless (i.e. I'm baffled, thinking "did s/he just really say that out loud?!?")

I need to work on "I do not appreciate your comment about [insert subject here]" on cue

I don't think you're alone there. I've had to revisit conversations like that when I was too stunned to offer much of an immediate retort.

[Trek420]

I don't think you're alone there. I've had to revisit conversations like that when I was too stunned to offer much of an immediate retort.

Happens every day. I work in a call center in what some think of as the bluest of the blue states (liberal leaning CA). You'd be surprised or sadly maybe you wouldn't by what people say when they think the person they are talking to is white and straight.

I've learned to never say the origin of my unusual first name when asked "oooh, that's pretty, where's it from?" (it's Jewish). Reactions range from the hilarious
"oooooh, I just looooove Barbara. (cue music, here the caller sings) People, people who need people are the .... do you know her??? "
"yes M'am. All Jews know each other. Me n' Barbara we're like that"

to charmingly ignorant, to attempts to convert me to hateful and shocking.

The racism stuns me. It should not surprise by now but I'm still shocked. I've learned to perfect a long silence and mentally count off the seconds while the customer figures out I'm not reacting in the positive fashion expected.

Most can't imagine why I'm not responding positively to their trash because obviously I'm white so I agree, right?

As the great-aunt of the most charming cute brilliant "toddler of color" I am furious when I hear this.

I want him to grow up in a better world than I did. I remember being called a "dirty Jew" in elementary school. About 15 years ago I was fired for being gay (I know it because I got calls privately from managers there company, told that was the case. They all offered and sent letters of commendation but said not to quote them, they needed their jobs and they would not testify against the company).

I can't protect him from every idiot but I'd like a better world for him

In terms of Winding's coworker from a business standpoint alone regardless of her prejudice their money is just as green.

So she needs to get over it and treat every customer right. And maybe in so doing she will learn, "oh, they are ok"

And maybe if she doesn't she'll be in violation of your co's, city, state etc EEO policy and buh bye.

And in terms of Winding and DBF this is why we "come out" as it were. Sometimes, just sometimes a person will put two and two together and figure out you are the same person you were before she knew. She ate with you, she rode with you and now she knows your love someone black. Maybe just maybe she will think "oh, I liked her before, she loves a black person maybe they are ok. Maybe I would like I ride with both of them".

Who knows, maybe she will make that connection. If enough of those neural connections are made and enough lunches and rides are had with others .... voila!!!

There you have it, better world for my charming and brilliant "great nephew of color".

If not as he says (he's 2) .... "oh well" Or if not since my niece is the lawyer for whatever we call the department that verifies allegations of violation of State of CA EEO laws (you know like they send job applicants with the SAME resume, one's black, one's white or one's a man, one's a woman and see if the company is only hiring one group or the other ....) maybe she'll continue and mistreat the wrong customer.

Racism hurts, it's bad for people, it's bad karma, and it's bad for business in more ways than one.

[Irulan]

The whole stupid comments that people make that are racist or discriminatory could be a thread unto itself. I have had some personally addressed humdingers too.

[Trek420]

I've told my managers that some day they'll get a complaint of a "customer mistreat" from me and think "Trek? Our Trek? She'd never call a customer a ____, _____, idiotic, moronic ____, _____."

They'll pull the tape and sure 'nuff it'll be there" but not before they hear some truly awful stuff first.

But I'd rather ask the customer ranting about this or that immigrant group "Mr/Mrs Higglety-Hoggenbothum that's a remarkable and beautiful Native American name. What tribe are you from?"

"Huh?"

"Well, since you say the country is going to heck in a handbasket because of the ____s obviously you have always been here so which tribe are you from?"

Whether voluntarily or involuntarily we're all from somewhere and with issues like we face today we all gotta find a way to get along.