The Slave Mentality in the Workplace - Part 2!
In the last post on this topic, I wrote about history. That history included the legacy of American slavery, historic racism in American society, the inherited and unwritten expectations of conduct that have been imposed on African Americans by White society, and the historic images that have been used to depict and define Blacks, such as the image of Mammy and of Blacks in roles of servitude. I concluded that post by asking if you had figured out what it all means. Well?
What it all means is…
People can’t always resist their racist impulses. The passage of time and the inherent racism in America has done little to stop the stereotypical imaginings of some White people. Blacks are, far too often, simply what Whites remember or hope for.
I truly believe that there are some who are so racist, by breeding, they truly do pine for the days where Rosa Parks should have moved to the back of the bus and, for some, even the days of slavery.
I know that sounds harsh, but when you’ve worked in an environment, as I have, where an African American is so insulted by something a White person has said that they immediately call this person an overseer, you’ve got serious issues on the job. You’ve got even bigger issues if the word “overseer” has been used by more than one African American in describing more than one White coworker.
Some Whites have tried to move past this offensive behavior, but far too many have been unsuccessful in fully ridding themselves of the stereotypes—just as some African Americans continue to play into stereotypes. American society still sees African Americans as entertainers, but they like the entertainment in non-threatening forms that often fulfill historical stereotypes.
Make us laugh! Make us dance! Make us laugh! Score that touchdown! Make us laugh! Shake that big Black booty! Make us laugh! Pass that basketball! Make us laugh! Make us laugh! Make us laugh! Make me laugh, but don’t get in my way. You’re getting in my way. You’ve got a chip on your shoulder. You are really sensitive. You are so angry and defensive.
Yes, the top stereotype usually thrown around at work often has something to do with an African American’s attitude. And, once those labels get thrown around, it’s nearly impossible to defend yourself without falling into the stereotype.
The follow-up to this post will be called, Labels and Stereotypes-Translated. Be sure to check back tomorrow!
What it all means is…
People can’t always resist their racist impulses. The passage of time and the inherent racism in America has done little to stop the stereotypical imaginings of some White people. Blacks are, far too often, simply what Whites remember or hope for.
I truly believe that there are some who are so racist, by breeding, they truly do pine for the days where Rosa Parks should have moved to the back of the bus and, for some, even the days of slavery.
I know that sounds harsh, but when you’ve worked in an environment, as I have, where an African American is so insulted by something a White person has said that they immediately call this person an overseer, you’ve got serious issues on the job. You’ve got even bigger issues if the word “overseer” has been used by more than one African American in describing more than one White coworker.
Some Whites have tried to move past this offensive behavior, but far too many have been unsuccessful in fully ridding themselves of the stereotypes—just as some African Americans continue to play into stereotypes. American society still sees African Americans as entertainers, but they like the entertainment in non-threatening forms that often fulfill historical stereotypes.
Make us laugh! Make us dance! Make us laugh! Score that touchdown! Make us laugh! Shake that big Black booty! Make us laugh! Pass that basketball! Make us laugh! Make us laugh! Make us laugh! Make me laugh, but don’t get in my way. You’re getting in my way. You’ve got a chip on your shoulder. You are really sensitive. You are so angry and defensive.
Yes, the top stereotype usually thrown around at work often has something to do with an African American’s attitude. And, once those labels get thrown around, it’s nearly impossible to defend yourself without falling into the stereotype.
The follow-up to this post will be called, Labels and Stereotypes-Translated. Be sure to check back tomorrow!
posted by S. Mary Wills at 8:27 AM
1 Comments:
White people are often offended by their black co-workers as well.
You need to work in an environment where nearly everyone has a high school education at best, a physically demanding job, or a customer service job, and then you will see that the bad attitudes of these workers are real whether they are black or not. This is not racial stereotyping.
No one wants to put up with any extra stress hearing about how bad Whitey is any more than they want to hear about how 'all' black people are this, or that.
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