My workplace is full of foul-mouthed racists - Australia

[CrackSmokeRepublican]

My workplace is full of foul-mouthed racists   :wtf:

Ask Bossy Blog
 
Kate de Brito
Monday, March 28, 2011 at 08:12am
 

Dear Bossy: I have a big one for you today, in my eyes it has never been a big issue but recently since moving to another state (which I will leave unknown for the sake of its reputation) I have discovered just how big it really is.

I am talking about racism in the work place.

I work in a isolated area and am surrounded by the same people day in day out for weeks at a time and have found that racist comments will find their way into most conversations. I'm not a sensitive person either but when someone walks into my office and asks how many 'C$%ns' are on site then is glad there are none because he would shoot them anyway, I'm going to be more then offended. How is it that someone can say this in today's day and age, I was shocked! Of course though to avoid any awkwardness I grunted a laugh and tried as best I could to stop my eyes from rolling into the back of my head.

I cringe when someone wants to tell me a joke...I know it's going to be distasteful, offensive and when it's just a gross sex joke I actually count myself lucky that I didn't have to endure a racist one.
So my question is how do I get these Neanderthals to stop making racist's comments around me, without making a big deal. If I draw to much attention to it like I have in the past, we get into arguments and I end up looking crazy...

I spent over a year working out in the northern parts of QLD living in indigenous communities (which I have blood relations to) and I have literally just moved to the epicentre of some sort of Xenophobic epidemic.

These people like it or lump it are my work mates and on all other levels we get along great...but I want to tear their heads off when I hear remarks about drowning the boat people, blowing up Asian countries and shooting out indigenous peoples.

Don't even get me started on the animal torture stories, that's a whole other story.

So can you help me find a way of getting through a couple of beers with my work friends without jeopardising my moral values.


Bossy says: The thing you have to remember about racists is they are mostly ignorant and sometimes just plain stupid. So you shouldn't waste too much time getting into debates or trying to change their mind.

The best thing you can do is show zero tolerance. This tells them that even if they find this acceptable, you don't.

Unfortunately to do this you will need to put yourself into the firing line. It is far easier to just say nothing but as you have pointed out this makes you feel like you are morally letting yourself down.

In your favour however is the fact this is occurring in the workplace and there are clear laws now against this sort of discriminatory behaviour in the workplace. If people are talking in this way and it makes you feel distressed or otherwise harassed then you have grounds for making an official complaint to your boss.

If you want and if you have a decent work friendship with these colleagues you could try to ask them to stop before you take that step. Next time it comes up say "I really don't like you talking like that in front of me". They may well laugh or have a go at you, so make sure they know you are serous.
.
Say specifically: "I feel incredibly uncomfortable when you tell racist jokes or use racists terms and I am asking that you don't do it around me in future".

if these people are real racists then they are probably morons so it's unlikely you saying this will make a difference. If they are just blokes who think they are being funny but are not completely without brains then you might be able to get your message through.

If they do keep it up you will probably have to take things further. This is a scary step I understand but remember you are not the one in the wrong. They are. And you have workplace laws to back you up.

Sadly you can't always change these people, but hopefully you can get them to shut their mouths.

http://blogs.news.com.au/bossy/index.ph ... ed_racists