This is racism, right?

[Rad Chris]

If you cant go tell anyone in charge, I suggest taking the piss out of your boss with well know boss sterotypes, maybe a dilbert cartoon telling him how stupid he is, see how he likes it. Two wrongs can sometimes make a right kids!

 

[Xenocrates]

Males often bond by insulting each other; that's true and it is a sign of trust as they don't usually insult those who they fear or hate.

If you write a list of the people that you get insulted by the most I'd guess it's a list of your best friends. The people that treat you politely are the ones that you should be wary of.

However this may not be the same in other cultures so these guys are sailing too close to the wind.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Males often bond by insulting each other; that's true and it is a sign of trust as they don't usually insult those who they fear or hate.

If you write a list of the people that you get insulted by the most I'd guess it's a list of your best friends. The people that treat you politely are the ones that you should be wary of.

Couldnt agree more. The smile and the embrace often precede the stilleto in the back.

However this may not be the same in other cultures so these guys are sailing too close to the wind.

This guy really is isolated from everyone there. Interestingly, now that I think of it, his isolation is due more to him being African, than black. Culturally, he's just very different from everyone else. A standard comment about this guy is that they cant stand how his food smells. That sems to be a common thing to say when the intent is to create 'otherness' in a person, disparage his cultures food.

 

[C~G]

Males often bond by insulting each other; that's true and it is a sign of trust as they don't usually insult those who they fear or hate.

It's different kind of insulting.
It happens in many cases with friendly humour in some others not.
However quite often in groups of young males they pick the weakest link and try to concentrate their disrespect towards this person which also is bonding ritual.

In some male groups you will hear lot of jokes about gays, women and other races. It's done because that way people find something in common with each other and different compared to other people. But this doesn't mean they would tell such jokes when person of this sort is with them.

Like Bozo already said, it's common decency to know where the draw the line. Some people seem to be lacking quality of some sort nowadays. Even though it isn't any news. For me such people are just overgrown kids, mostly harmless unless you start to take them and their idiotic behaviour too seriously. It's better stay in the background but there comes a moment when you have to make stand if person is clearly suffering from such behaviour. But quite often racism isn't something you can clearly define but more like hint after another that somebody isn't really part of the same gang.
Unfortunately I believe it's our integral design to be intolerant towards anything that might differ from us. Only continuing conscious effort can turn the table around and make you see differently.

It's all about respect and dignity. Or it should be.

 

[mrtn]

... A standard comment about this guy is that they cant stand how his food smells. That sems to be a common thing to say when the intent is to create 'otherness' in a person, disparage his cultures food.

Well, they could be right that it do smell weird. I know a guy from Ethiopia who frequently have very bad breath, I'm quite sure that comes from the food he eats.
However, I completely agree that they are racist, when it comes to that statue.

 

[Sidhe]

This guy really is isolated from everyone there. Interestingly, now that I think of it, his isolation is due more to him being African, than black. Culturally, he's just very different from everyone else. A standard comment about this guy is that they cant stand how his food smells. That sems to be a common thing to say when the intent is to create 'otherness' in a person, disparage his cultures food.

What is his food? And why should this be the source of childish derision, how old are the people you work with 5?

 

[Xenocrates]

It's different kind of insulting.

Maybe they are too pig-headed to know? Bozo's not painting them as geniuses.

Without being there it's difficult to say, but it looks like Bozo could use a new job. So could the African. Might I suggest working in green energy?

 

[pboily]

The people that treat you politely are the ones that you should be wary of.

I don't think you are wrong: I'm sure this is a prevalent belief. I also think it's a load of crap. One of the many reasons I'm glad not to have friends. (well, not many.)

 

[Bozo Erectus]

What is his food? And why should this be the source of childish derision, how old are the people you work with 5?

Im sure it doesnt seem like it, but this is actually one of the most diverse, multicultural regions in the whole country, maybe thats why theres so much racism. A black guy I knew years ago told me that contrary to popular belief, theres much more racism in the North, than down South.

Maybe they are too pig-headed to know? Bozo's not painting them as geniuses.

Without being there it's difficult to say, but it looks like Bozo could use a new job. So could the African. Might I suggest working in green energy?

Ive got it, we'll start an act called 'Ebony and Ivory' (me on the tamborine, him with the maracas). We'll travel around to different workplaces all across the country, singing songs and performing skits that raise awareness about cultural diversity and tolerance in the workplace.

edit: Mrtn, in other words, youre saying this guy has bad breath because he's Ethiopian. You sure you arent one of my coworkers?

 

[De Lorimier]

Last week, a crude cartoonish statue of an African black guy (think 'lawnjockey') appeared in the main office where I work. Everybody thought it was hilarious to write the name of the only black guy who works there on the statue, and place the statue in a prominent place, where this guy would have to see it when he came in. I was appalled, and twice I had to erase it, everyone insisted on doing this, and looked at me like I was being an ass. Im sure after I left they wrote his name on it again Oh and BTW, the black guy is actually African, from Ghana IIRC. I couldnt believe it, I felt like I was suddenly back in the 1930's. So Im right, right? Its clearly racism, isnt it? Its like the message theyre sending to him is: 'Just so you know, in case you arent sure, we cant forget your race for one second. No matter what you do, or how nice you are, or how well we treat you, this is how we really see you, and we always will.'

Not only is this racism, but it's also freaking stupid and quite humorless. I work in a very eclectic environment and I believe someone could face relatively severe disciplinary actions for doing something as disrespectful as that. Idiots.

I'm lucky though, I work with all kind of people, white, black, hispanic, arabs, indians, asians, you name it and there's no real clique based on race. There use to be more distinct groups based on language (Québécois, Haitians, Hispanics, Asians, Arabs and most Africans speaking mostly French and Canadians, Indians, Italians, Greeks and Jamaicans speaking English), but it's not the case anymore with the arrival of more young people who understand the current local reality a little better. We mix it up now for the good of everyone.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Not only is this racism, but it's also freaking stupid and quite humorless. I work in a very eclectic environment and I believe someone could face relatively severe disciplinary actions for doing something as disrespectful as that. Idiots.

Its just petty, pointless cruelty. Thats why I instinctively stepped in. Why go out of your way to bother someone who's done nothing to you, and is just trying to put in a days work same as everyone else?

I'm lucky though, I work with all kind of people, white, black, hispanic, arabs, indians, asians, you name it and there's no real clique based on race. There use to be more distinct groups based on language (Québécois, Haitians, Hispanics, Asians, Arabs and most Africans speaking mostly French and Canadians, Indians, Italians, Greeks and Jamaicans speaking English), but it's not the case anymore with the arrival of more young people who understand the current local reality a little better. We mix it up now for the good of everyone.

Im not too sure about the young people being necessarily more tolerant. In many cases yes, but often it seems to me their intolerance just takes a different form.

 

[.Shane.]

@Bozo, I agree, at a minimum its tasteless and I've worked in many offices where if this happened the perpetrators would be fired. Where do you live, btw? What is the business of the office?

However, while it may be a racist thing to do, the people are not necessarily racist. I don't know them, so, I can't say they are or aren't. A think a lot of decent people get mislabeled when, in reality, they're naive or just stupid, but harmless. Now, I'm not saying that's the case here, I have no idea.

But, like you, had I seen something like this I would've stopped it.

edit: now that I've read more of the posts, the comments of my middle paragraph are less relavent.

 

[.Shane.]

Also, bozo, what did management do about this? Is the statue still there?

If the statue is still there and management is indifferent, this is what I'd do. Come in after hours and smash it into pieces and then leave it there for everyone to see.

 

[MjM]

Just a joke.

Don't get your 'knickers' in a twist.

 

[De Lorimier]

Im not too sure about the young people being necessarily more tolerant. In many cases yes, but often it seems to me their intolerance just takes a different form.

When it comes to the local language issue we have here, young people do get it a little more since they had to learn the official language (something their parents sometimes never bothered to do). Racial intolerance and ignorance has no age indeed, but working at the international arrivals at the airport forces us to become sensible and diplomatic fast if we want to do our job properly. I guess I'm lucky to work is such a good envirronment!

 

[Bozo Erectus]

@Bozo, I agree, at a minimum its tasteless and I've worked in many offices where if this happened the perpetrators would be fired. Where do you live, btw? What is the business of the office?

Im in Northern NJ, just across the Hudson from NYC. The company I work for is actually one of the larger realestate concerns in NYC. They own some very pricey, well known properties. Or at least they did until...but thats another story

However, while it may be a racist thing to do, the people are not necessarily racist. I don't know them, so, I can't say they are or aren't. A think a lot of decent people get mislabeled when, in reality, they're naive or just stupid, but harmless. Now, I'm not saying that's the case here, I have no idea.

I think everyone is racist to a degree, its instinctive. Chimp troop A chases away Chimp troop B, because for some reason, those chimps are 'the other'. It goes way back. The question for me isnt whether or not people are racists, its whether or not they act on their racism, and treat people badly because of their race.

 

[VoodooAce]

Jokes are between friends. Jokingly insulting each other is something done amongst friends. The way you describe it, it doesn't seem to come across that way.. I could easily understand why he might be insulted.

If the people doing this think their being funny and just joking with the guy, then maybe they should find a less insulting way to do so.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

@shane, its been gone for a couple of days.

Voodoo, no its not joking, the African guy is pretty much ostracized.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Its just petty, pointless cruelty. Thats why I instinctively stepped in. Why go out of your way to bother someone who's done nothing to you, and is just trying to put in a days work same as everyone else?

You are correct Bozo. I suggest you take some pictures of the statue and put them aside for future use. You could even send them to the local newspaper. Petty, pointless cruelty is the worst kind. Take the guy to lunch this week.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

You are correct Bozo. I suggest you take some pictures of the statue and put them aside for future use. You could even send them to the local newspaper.

Oh no, thats so not me Id definitely leave all that to the aggrieved party.

Petty, pointless cruelty is the worst kind. Take the guy to lunch this week.

We used to 'have lunch' together almost every day for awhile, a couple of years ago when we worked together, and I was still smoking. Lunch consisted of standing outside and chainsmoking, exchanging gripes and looking at womens butts. Thats when he would tell me about how he feels discriminated against.