Workplace Racism Isn't a Stand Alone Issue
As I blogged about yesterday, racism isn’t an isolated problem in the workplace. Instead, racism is often combined with other factors that may be personal, social and/or business-related in nature.
Yesterday, I mentioned how my former employer changed the personnel manual to specifically mention personal and social issues sometimes being the problem in the workplace, rather than racism. They followed that argument with a statement of position to an outside investigatory agency stating that I had personal/social issues with my supervisor and the director of my department—both White. My former employer specifically used language stating that I had a “fear of being picked on” and they accused me of being “very, very emotional” and “very stressed out.” In other words, they were claiming that some sort of school yard or clique-related issue and what they proclaimed to be my personal weaknesses were the causes of the issues at work and not the active racism, discrimination and retaliation being alleged.
My former employer went even further by naming two mid-level White coworkers (both White), who they claimed I also had “issues” with. Specifically, they wrote, “She also had issues with [NAMES] (White).” Yes, they included “White” in their official written statement. This part of their defense was a pretext, a way to hide their real race-related motivations.
In other words, my former employer was claiming there wasn’t any systemic racism in the workplace and that I hadn’t been the victim of discrimination or retaliation. No! According to them, I had an issues working with White women. That was part of their defense, along with general deniability. And, even though the White women they were calling out by name had documented issues working with other Black women, while I had no complaints about my working relationship with anyone of any color, it was alleged that I suddenly was unable to work with White women.
This is the issue I want you to be mindful of. I could have easily fallen for the bait and gotten into a huge back and forth with the company about my relationship with these women, specifically, and White women, overall. Instead, I BRIEFLY addressed any issues related to these specific women and went right back to discussing the issues of systemic racism and the intentional retaliation I suffered.
Another tactic I used was to pose logical questions based on the corporate defense that I had a problem working with White women. For instance, if the company believed I had personal/social issues with White women, why didn’t they ever engage in a conversation with me about the so-called problem, offer me training, write me up, send me to HR, terminate me, etc. The company was unable to respond to these questions because there was no issue and, therefore, no reason to consult with me about such things.
I point this out because this is how you can quickly turn around false accusations of alleged personal or social issues that are fabrications. If someone is making up lies, assume the lies are the truth (for a moment) and ask the logical questions about policy and procedure that would result from legitimate issues of this nature. This is how you can expose the lies.
Many companies will make claims, but if they are lying, none of the groundwork will typically have been done. In many cases, allegations are made that retroactively accuse complaining workers of problems rather than documentation existing prior to allegations of wrongdoing and/or illegal misconduct being levied.
When dealing with lies:
--take a breather before sitting down to really analyze the lies/use fresh eyes to read any documentation;
--don’t take the lies personally/try to be objective;
--pretend you are a lawyer;
--find every way that you can tear holes into the lies and fabricated defense; and
--attack the lies line-by-line or argument-by-argument.
Yesterday, I mentioned how my former employer changed the personnel manual to specifically mention personal and social issues sometimes being the problem in the workplace, rather than racism. They followed that argument with a statement of position to an outside investigatory agency stating that I had personal/social issues with my supervisor and the director of my department—both White. My former employer specifically used language stating that I had a “fear of being picked on” and they accused me of being “very, very emotional” and “very stressed out.” In other words, they were claiming that some sort of school yard or clique-related issue and what they proclaimed to be my personal weaknesses were the causes of the issues at work and not the active racism, discrimination and retaliation being alleged.
My former employer went even further by naming two mid-level White coworkers (both White), who they claimed I also had “issues” with. Specifically, they wrote, “She also had issues with [NAMES] (White).” Yes, they included “White” in their official written statement. This part of their defense was a pretext, a way to hide their real race-related motivations.
In other words, my former employer was claiming there wasn’t any systemic racism in the workplace and that I hadn’t been the victim of discrimination or retaliation. No! According to them, I had an issues working with White women. That was part of their defense, along with general deniability. And, even though the White women they were calling out by name had documented issues working with other Black women, while I had no complaints about my working relationship with anyone of any color, it was alleged that I suddenly was unable to work with White women.
This is the issue I want you to be mindful of. I could have easily fallen for the bait and gotten into a huge back and forth with the company about my relationship with these women, specifically, and White women, overall. Instead, I BRIEFLY addressed any issues related to these specific women and went right back to discussing the issues of systemic racism and the intentional retaliation I suffered.
Another tactic I used was to pose logical questions based on the corporate defense that I had a problem working with White women. For instance, if the company believed I had personal/social issues with White women, why didn’t they ever engage in a conversation with me about the so-called problem, offer me training, write me up, send me to HR, terminate me, etc. The company was unable to respond to these questions because there was no issue and, therefore, no reason to consult with me about such things.
I point this out because this is how you can quickly turn around false accusations of alleged personal or social issues that are fabrications. If someone is making up lies, assume the lies are the truth (for a moment) and ask the logical questions about policy and procedure that would result from legitimate issues of this nature. This is how you can expose the lies.
Many companies will make claims, but if they are lying, none of the groundwork will typically have been done. In many cases, allegations are made that retroactively accuse complaining workers of problems rather than documentation existing prior to allegations of wrongdoing and/or illegal misconduct being levied.
When dealing with lies:
--take a breather before sitting down to really analyze the lies/use fresh eyes to read any documentation;
--don’t take the lies personally/try to be objective;
--pretend you are a lawyer;
--find every way that you can tear holes into the lies and fabricated defense; and
--attack the lies line-by-line or argument-by-argument.
Labels: discrimination, filing complaints, pretext, tips and strategies
posted by S. Mary Wills at 12:57 PM
25 Comments:
Mary: I just came upon your blog.
I am researching racism in the workplace. I quit a posititon with the police department in my town because my supervisor was a, in my words, a white supremist. He hates blacks. I also worked with a white co-worker who hates blacks. I confronted their language and attitudes and was told I had an anger management problem. I took the issue to personel and nothing was done. I requested a grievance hearing. At the hearing two white detectives concentrated on my anger management problem. They wouldn't go near race in the workplace. I'm Native American. I'm going to sue the city, which the PD is under, for violation of my civil rights and violations of federal law for racially profiling black citizens.
Spotted Eagleboy in New Mexico
Hello, I enjoyed your blog regarding racism in the workplace. However, your situation very similar to mine but totally different. On numerous occassions I've expressed interest in a promotion, suddenly, I'm getting disciplined for insurbordination and evaluated on nothing that has anything to do with my job performance. Since the discipline has happened, I can not prove it was done to keep me from the promotion but when I express interest again, it will come up. I'm labeled as aggressive, hostile, insurbordinate and has issues with taking direction from management. I've found emails that stated because I'm black do I think I'm suppose to get special treatment. In this office it's a living hell, the managers can do and say what they feel, they can express their opinions w/out fear but let one of "us" express our views, opinions, we are then labeled. The stress of not saying to much but getting letters of being short with management, the stress of saying to much and getting letters of insurbordination. I've made up in my mind to seek advice on how to handle this situation. I'm glad I'm not alone in this war.
I recenlty quite a job were subtile racism was being practiced. I was the only black person in th office and was not wanted there by the other (all white) females. They would train the new white girl on things that would get here promoted and not include me. My boss was very adament about "THERE BEING NO RACISM". She asked that I keep her informed of the situation and I did. I found myself being reprimanded and told to "get over it". Today's racism is not outward, no the N word was not used, but it sure hurt like hell to work there. Now, I can't get unemployment because I can't prove that I was being discrimnated against. This is another form of racism in my mind.
WHOA! Thank you so much for writing this article!
At work I experience racism on a daily basis. It's SOOOOO frustrating. I am the only person of color and its a tough task. The stuble things make the day much more challenging than it should be.
A new 'girl' got hired a few days ago. I refer to her as a girl because her behavior is far from being a WOMAN.
Anyway, she asks me a question, I tell her, and the next thing I know she's asking another white girl if I gave her the correct answer. WTF?! She's new and questioning me?!!!
A few white 'girls' have mentioned that they are afraid to work with me. Afraid? They are surrounded by a whole staff of people who look like them and share the same values as them and they're scared of me?!
I feel like the manager is watching me extra hard. while constantly asking the white employees if "they're okay?" Keep in mind that his "okay?" question only occurs when I'm around and is always accompained with an eyebrow flash.
WHEW!!!! I'm feeling so upset and alone.
I know that we're strangers, but thank you sista for symbolically being there for me.
Hi, I was recently terminated from employment due to what i believe was a race related issue.
I work in the retail industry, And in our store it has been common practice for years that regular customers hang around for abit, have a cup of coffee, then go about there morning. (all white) There has never been any issue with these patrons, for lack of a better word, "loitering". For about the past 8 months, a black gentleman has been coming into the store 3 times daily, like clockwork. He would purchase his items, and then leave the store. 2 Days ago, he came in, as usual, but that day he stopped and asked me about a motorcycle i was building. (it had been loaded into my truck, parked outside.) business was very slow at that time, so i spoke with him for a few minutes. The manager, who was speaking with a vendor nearby, overheard our conversation and promptly asked the patron to leave the store. He asked her why, and she just repeated for him to please leave the property. After he left, and the store was completely empty except the two of us, I Confronted her on the subject. She angrily replied that We (the store) Don't need people hanging out at the store like that. I then asked her what was any different between this gentleman and then 10-15 others that sit and have their coffee in the morning talking with the employees, and to this she had no response. She went into her office, and that's the last i heard from her that day.
The next day when i came in for work, i was handed a termination slip citing "Continual Insubordination" with no Instances given. I have never been written up, I have never had a cross word with managment before this instance. In fact, i had been selected for promotion for my good performance in the store. She (The General manager) had informed me of this a week prior herself.
To Add insult to injury, i had spoken with a co-worker on the subject that night, and she disagreed with managment as well. When the Black gentleman came in the next day like he always did, he asked her if I had spoken with her about what happened. she (the co-worker) Simply told the gentleman she did not agree with the action taken, and said nothing else on the matter. The Store General manager Overheard the conversation. The next day when the co-worker reported for work, She was handed a termination slip stating "Continual Insubordination" as the reason for termination. As with my case, She was never written up, and until that point had been (in the manager's words) "a very good employee".
I Understand my options are fairly limited, But I do not want to let this incident go, because i believe the gentleman in question was treated wrongly. I also believe me and my former co-worked were unjustly terminated.
If anyone has any suggestions on a course of action, or would simply like to talk with me about the incident please feel free to email me. My email is freezingburn2000@yahoo.com.
I wirk for a school district and i was recently called a "little street hood" and "young punk" by my white counterpart. When I reported it, the administration told me that the remark is "up to interpretation" and they are confident that she just said it out of anger and that she didn't mean it in a racist way. I am an accountant and am a product of the same school district that I work for. I am appauled that they would sweep this sort of thing under the rug. This woman stays in trouble and our union and administrators work titiously to cover up her tracks and keep her stuff undercover. I am sick that this kind of thing goes on.
Hi,
I just happened to come across this site and I was feeling alone until about now. I am a teacher and last year I interviewed for a teaching position. During my second interview the principal asked me how I would feel being the only black teacher, what my husband did for a living, and if I was ready to leave my unborn. Well, I didn't get the job. I now work there as a 1:1 (pathetic I know, but I needed work with a morgage and new baby) and I applied again to a K opening that they had and this W girl who has the same qualifications as I and is also a 1:1 got called in for an interviw, but no me. And I also just found out that I am not being asked to come back next school year (not that I had planned on it)because they had to cut 2 people and I was the last to start BS! I don't want to pursue this because my child will have to come to this school distrcit (unless we move) in five years. I have my BA and MS in Edu., 6yrs of teaching experience, a license, and they overlook me for someone with less qsualifications. Wow!
SO sad but oh so very real and subtle, might I add, is racism, and discrimination in the workplace. Thank you for making this article, and all the interaction possible.Its so much easier to confront the issue personally when you realize its NOT in your head, this is real and it is STILL happening, yes my dear friends, in America.
I am a young black South African,working in a company dominated by most whites,to be more precise Afrikaaners.Well we as Blacks are treated like we are insane.The way,they talk to us.I started one of the biggest projects with one white lady,when it finally worked out,they promised to give us a raise and believe you me when that time came,they decided to give her way more than what they wanted to give me.Its really hard,but I have told myself that I am here to change this environment for all uss Blacks!
I am a concerned Mother of a daughter that works at a large company. About 5 or 6 months ago my daughter was put in a situation where her supervisor and other co-workers would pick at her. We took this situation to a higher person and they said to jot down everything that is going on with her on the job.(By the way,my daughter is the only black in this dept.)After she reported this situation to the higher people, things started going good for her. Now after so many months, they starting picking at her again. What should she do about this again?
Unfortunately, the serious issues and problems that confront persons of color in the workplace are overlooked and are deemed as "Unwarranted Complaints." The hard reality is that racism exists, it persists, and any attempt to address it will result in retaliation against the person who raised the issue and against others who admit the racist or improper conduct occurred. Management is often unable to identify the problems and are inept at doing what is supposed to do:creating an environment that is fair and equitable for all. If you are perceived as being less than equal, you will be treated as less than equal. The only time managment has a problem is when litigation results in big money judgments. By then, the aggreived person is discredited, unemployed, and has been humiliated.
Racisim in the workplace has become very sophicated. It takes the form of passive/aggresive behavior. After the civil rights movement of the 1960's, many white resented having to treat blacks as equals. A sure fire way to get around hiring blacks was to hire as many white women as they can and move them up the ladder of promotion. Another method was to hire Asians because this group is considered safe and non threatening. Time and time again companies publish their diversity policies. You will see a diverse group in the annual photograph. However, if you analyse the structure of the organization, blacks in management positions and decision making roles are non-existent. Instead the new black is to have many white women making the policies.
I need a place to vent. I dislike that many racist people do not realize that they are also hurting the people from their own race. I am very much against racism and love my black friends and would probably have liked my black co-workers, if I had any.
I have recently discovered that the reason why there are no black people on our staff was because my boss and many senior employers would not have a person of colour working for them.
I was shocked to hear this and felt like a complete … for staying quiet. The problem is that I need my job and cannot relocate. I am feeling helpless. I am stuck and since I discovered this about my co-workers I am not able to enjoy my work. “They” don’t get that what they are doing is against my principles. I can’t stand racism.
Workplace Racism isn;t I agree a Stand alone Issue. It is a very Hidden forum of Racism today. But it is very Preverlant as well. There needs to be a new name for what African Americans and other People of Color are experiencing in todays workforce. I have that name and the name is Mental=Warfare. Todays Racist are out to make you feel like everything you do is wrong, no matter how right you know you are. Todays Racist are out to make you feel that your complaints of serious Discrinmation, are just that a basic complaint, that is or has become a figament of your imagination. Todays Racist are out to make you feel as though you are the perpetrator and the perpetrator the Victim. The perpetrator can lie on you, steal from you, be insuborniate to you, if your are in management. If anyone wants to come together and bring about an solution to todays Racist, then we need to band together and get the word out on the New forum of labeling the new Racist in the work force. Mental=Warfare. which is design to, stress you out, mentally and make you feel everything is your fault.
I found your blog after experiencing some of the same issues in my workplace. I will start by stating that I am a college graduate (with honors), current graduate student, and I'm currently working for a large retail chain. Despite my education and background, I took a job that didn't pay very well due to the economic slump. I was told when I was hired that I would be given the chance to move up in this company and shortly after being hired, I was trained to do other jobs (no pay increase however). My problem is that I have a co-worker who uses every opportunity she can to make me seem incompetent and incapable of learning this new position. The supervisor in charge takes a passive approach and does nothing even though these things are going on (yet subtly) right in front of her. Another issue that compounds the problem is the inconsistency in the training itself. When I ask question as to why the training procedures aren't consistent, I can't get a straight answer. When I start learning a new task, or when I am engaged in computer based training, I'm constantly interrupted and told to do something menial (such as sweeping the floor...seriously) and then I have to go and try and get back to the task I was on, often starting over. It is to the point now where I feel like I'm looked upon as their "do-girl" rather than an equal. I have thought about how I want to approach this issue without being accused of playing the race card. I am the only black person working or training in this position. I don't want to continue with the training in this particular department, but I'm afraid of sabotaging my chances at other positions. I've been accused of just being "tired" and "cranky" which to me is also an insult to my intelligence. I've experienced enough subtle racism in my life to know what this is. This makes for a very hostile, unwelcoming work environment.
It has been refreshing to read all of the comments. I do beleive that this is mental warfare. I work in a field where being an open racist would compromise the work you do and shame you out of the corporation. I do, however, see very subtle but very damaging racism. I work with a bunch of people who would cry "liar" and "crazy" towards me if I mentioned racism but it is very alive where I work.
The language that people use, the comments people make, saying small things and then turning around and saying they "love" someone black... as though blacks are shoes or handbags occurs a lot.
I appreciate that others are experiencing the same thing because feeling isolated is very painful.
I was working for a racist co in long island. my boss was allowed to curse at me and still keep her job. I decided to stop speaking to her and only deal with her when it was work related. she complained to hr and i was reprimanded and told i was subordinate. then a white racist women said the N word to me regarding some comment. i went to hr and she told me it was like when they call her nick names for her religion??? white women are RACIST and very jealous. when ever i wear something expensive it was question on if it was real or how can i afford it????
I was working in a hospital and the victim of racist jokes,etc. I told my white manager,he accused me of having an anger problem also.
My black boss who "doesn't date black women because they have too much attitude" recently hired a former temp who came in to help while I was on maternity leave. This temp who is now permanent has no degree, no experience in our area but made 3000 less then me last year.
I too started as a temp and when the other person in our dept left I was slowly given his duties. At the time I had an Associates in business. I was told I could not make his salary because I didn't have a bachelors. Well three years ago I went back to school and received my bachelors only to be given a $1000 bonus because the economy was bad and they couldn't give me a raise while laying people off.
Once the new white girl was hired perm my job duties were given to her. A project I worked on was taken from me just a few weeks before completion and she received employee of the month for it. Another project was taken from me and I was never told only found out by overhearing them talking about it.
I recieved a raise last year to 42k but she makes 34k a year which is what I made with my degree before the raise. She is about to recieve another raise. I couldn't get past 27500 becuase I didnt have a degree but at least had experience. The workload has not increased over the past few years but she cant handle it so we are hiring someone else (probably white) to help her. Some of my job duties were returned to me after she couldn't handle them. How does someone do less work, have less education and experience but get paid that much money? I was told last year when I received my raise to 42k that it was a big raise and I should be grateful I wouldn't be getting another one as I was already making too much for that position although the former guy made 65+ and was salaried I am hourly. Now that my white coworker wants to be salaried he is looking into making us salaried although I have requested this for several years but was told its better for me as a single mom to be hourly so I could get overtime.
I have never dealt with such issues before and am very sorry to hear that you all have to deal with such things in this day and time. It's appalling that caucasions claim to be so afraid of us, but yet they claim that they are in control! Why are you afraid if you are in control? It bewilders me. But, the best advice I can give is to record things. It may not be admissable in court, but it sure is admissable in the public. At least when you go to people that are supposed to do something, you will have audio or video to back up what you are saying, not just things that you have written down. At best, if nothing is being done, YOUTUBE it after they hand you your pink slip! No company wants any bad publicity, especially where racism is concerned! You always have a voice, sometimes you have to think outside the box to make it heard!
And to the coward that said: Anonymous said...
Soulds like you do have a problem working with white people. Most black women do.
3:03 PM
Please defend your position. Why do you feel that most black women have a problem working with white people as you so arrogantly stated?
I came across this site because I was interested in how to heal from racism. I was really really stumped because I never wanted to believe the issues I was having at work were related to race but I now believe that they are. There are just so many bizarre things, like I have the majority of clients and bring in the most money at this site and another, but at this particular site, I found out that this white supervisor started bad mouthing me to clients and friends of his that work on this site. Wow, was that an eye opener. A small group of 6 people all white (one of who had been a client of mine and is now this supervisor's client) have been really hostile and respond angrily OUT OF NOW WHERE... I mean a good morning gets NO RESPONSE, a "did you enjoy the weekend" somehow turns terse it's like walking into a situation where you are the target of everyone's anger. I've had a white guy come up to my desk and make inappropriate jokes, loudly make comments. Thank God I have another job 3 months out of the year that takes me to another country (so amazing to get away and feel the heart open) but you can feel it, the minute you step foot on the plane (which reminds me of a time I had an expensive dress made out of feathers and the rudeness, the aggressive harsh nasty way this white stewardess from American Airlines said fold it and put it in the overhead, I tried to explain you can't fold ostrich feathers without them snapping and that I was told there was closet to hang the dress otherwise I would have carefully packed it away but she got loud and insistent)...you know it's nasty when someone else intervenes. I was speechless. I'm just interested in how to cope right now, not how to be some big martyr or champion of change. I'm exhausted trying to keep a roof over my head and food on the table. So for today I'm just focusing on what I need to do to get ahead and the problem is, there will always be hateful people out there. Again, how does one cope with the hatred and evil out there when it crosses your path, when you just want to live in peace, be civil to each other and enjoy JOY. Joy is not a bad thing but maybe it reminds people of what they lost somewhere along the way. That's got to be it. These are sick people in pain.
Thank You SOOOO much for having this blog and these postings! I cannot begin to express my gratitude for someone willing to address the more subtle forms of racism that black men and women face every day. I feel validated and I now understand that I am not alone. And now that I am not alone, now that I have resources... I can battle this! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
-Seeing the REAL Hope House
What do I do??
I work for a predominatly all white company in Tennessee. I have HEARD the "N" word used on numerous occasions BUT they were not directed at me. In my face at least. Also there have been nooses hung in our supply trailer a couple of times. I told a coworker that I consider a friend who is also a foreman. He ran it up the chain. Our Boss asked him why he was worried about it! And did he consider me a friend. I am a father of 4 and I cant afford to lose my job. I am also a ex-con so finding another job is most certainly a difficult task. I was hired (through the union) immediately after my incarceration as a temp but my hard work and dedication kept me there full time. But I cant take much more of this madness without goin mad myself!! What are my options?? WHAT DO I DO?????
You need to keep dates and times of these incidents. Then file an EEO complaint, if you can anything that's said make sure you follow up with an: 'just to clarify email.'
Document, document, document with dates and times. Including when the other person was hired, and excluding you out of training. You can still file a suit provided it isn't over a year yet.
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