Racism in the workplace

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Not to be a downer or anything but I have noticed some harsh things said about patients and sometimes even co workers in my unit when they think no one else can hear them. Has anyone else dealt with this?

All of the people who are responding to a post like this are the ones who keep racism so alive and well. i think that most people are some where in the middle so to speak when it comes to racism with a few who will go to extremes, meaning that yes, people have prejudices, it is part of how we protect ourselves. That being said, yes a lot of black people have been innacurately portrayed in the media, therefore there may be some false notions of black people in America. But, it makes me wonder what kind of person feels the need to argue their points on racism to the point that there is a 21 page thread about it. The subject has been debated ad nauseum, and It gets no where. I think that most normal people, regardless of stereotypes will take the time to get to know someone if they get the chance. Personally, I think that most black people need to stop using slavery as a crutch, and get out there and take more advantage of what America has to offer. I know that the civil rights movement wasn't that long ago, and some wounds are still pretty fresh, but getting down on yourselves and wallowing in self-pity is not working. As far as healthcare goes, I think that the majority of patients and families want someone who is competent. End of Story. As far as going above and beyond b/c one is black??? Everyone should feel as if they should have to go above and beyond. Why do people feel like they should only work above their potential to prove something to someone else. What about proving to oneself that you have enough pride within, so that every job that you do in life exceeds the last one because you have learned something from the last experience to take to the next???

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To RNCRNA... mighty funny you felt the need to respond in length! Until you walk a mile in my mocassins you do well to stay off my path. I do good work as I am sure ALL conscientous nurses strive to do but racism is alive and unfortunately well. Responding in threads is better than donning hoods, giving poor care, work place violence, leaving the profession or ignoring the REAL ISSUE. Cmon...be 4 real. :nono: :(

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As a white nurse, I have had several black patients make racial remarks towards myself and other white staff members. It is unfortunate that it happens. I feel sorry for these people. I wonder how many truly wonder people they have passed by solely based on the color of their skin. Racism hurts no matter what color you are.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.

Mother Teresa

I'm sure the same is true for cruel words.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Please keep it calm and remain respectful of others. Thank you

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Specializes in Critical Care.

In the late '50s, as a result of Jim Crow, our nation WAS separated by force of law. It took lots of talking, with the force of conviction to back it up, to bring about an official end to Jim Crow and an open acknowledgment that things were not as they should be.

But, the civil rights movement was an emotional surge of energy that could not sustain itself. So, we drifted back into separate enclaves, however voluntary this time, the problems merely settled into complacency; they were not and have not been solved.

I'm delighted that there is a 21 page thread about the topic. Talk leads to action and action is STILL needed.

We are only minimally closer to MLK's dream 40 yrs later then we were in 1968. Some have been able to 'overcome'. Yes. The world is different and opportunity is available for those that persist at it.

But in far too many cases, 'overcoming' is a burden that prohibits the hope to even try.

So, we DO need to talk about it. More so, we need to form the consensus that leads to some action on it.

Far too often, such conversations lead to accusations of racism on all sides and the familiar emotional protection of retreating back into the semi-goal of 'tolerance'.

Tolerance is the fuzzy center from which we can all be 'comfortable' not making the changes that still need to be made. It's a laudable goal, but not enough.

It comes down to integration or isolation: same as the debate 40 yrs ago. And that leads to the true fundamental question: whose society is it?

And THAT does deserve talk, and talk, and talk, but eventually: more.

I'm actually quite proud of this thread. Talking to each other and not past each other is a good place to start.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
In the late '50s, as a result of Jim Crow, our nation WAS separated by force of law. It took lots of talking, with the force of conviction to back it up, to bring about an official end to Jim Crow and an open acknowledgment that things were not as they should be.

But, the civil rights movement was an emotional surge of energy that could not sustain itself. So, we drifted back into separate enclaves, however voluntary this time, the problems merely settled into complacency; they were not and have not been solved.

I'm delighted that there is a 21 page thread about the topic. Talk leads to action and action is STILL needed.

We are only minimally closer to MLK's dream 40 yrs later then we were in 1968. Some have been able to 'overcome'. Yes. The world is different and opportunity is available for those that persist at it.

But in far too many cases, 'overcoming' is a burden that prohibits the hope to even try.

So, we DO need to talk about it. More so, we need to form the consensus that leads to some action on it.

Far too often, such conversations lead to accusations of racism on all sides and the familiar emotional protection of retreating back into the semi-goal of 'tolerance'.

Tolerance is the fuzzy center from which we can all 'comfortable' not making the changes that still need to be made.

It comes down to integration or isolation: same as the debate 40 yrs ago. And that leads to the true fundamental question: whose society is it?

And THAT does deserve talk, and talk, and talk, but eventually: more.

I'm actually quite proud of this thread. Talking to each other and not past each other is a good place to start.

~faith,

Timothy.

Well said I couldnt agree more

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To RNCRNA... mighty funny you felt the need to respond in length! Until you walk a mile in my mocassins you do well to stay off my path. I do good work as I am sure ALL conscientous nurses strive to do but racism is alive and unfortunately well. Responding in threads is better than donning hoods, giving poor care, work place violence, leaving the profession or ignoring the REAL ISSUE. Cmon...be 4 real. :nono: :(

I'm not saying ignore it. I am black and native american by the way, but it really brings me down when I have to constantly read about prejudice and racism. I am not going to live my life worrying about what others think of me. I do have a lot of opinions about the issues, but I can't let it run my life, because then it would take up all of my life. I was sure that ppl wouldn't understand where I am coming from. This is just not a battle that I want to fight. My battle is within. My revenge is striving to a better person, educating myself, and just living my life the best way that I can. People can say or do what they want, but no one can touch your self respect, integrity,loyalty, or anything that you carry within unless you let them. Many have died rather than done so.

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Point taken. Thank you and have a blessed day!:welcome:

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I'm not saying ignore it. I am black and native american by the way, but it really brings me down when I have to constantly read about prejudice and racism. I am not going to live my life worrying about what others think of me. I do have a lot of opinions about the issues, but I can't let it run my life, because then it would take up all of my life. I was sure that ppl wouldn't understand where I am coming from. This is just not a battle that I want to fight. My battle is within. My revenge is striving to a better person, educating myself, and just living my life the best way that I can. People can say or do what they want, but no one can touch your self respect, integrity,loyalty, or anything that you carry within unless you let them. Many have died rather than done so.

I absolutely applaud this sentiment.

But, for too many, that inner strength does not win the day when the world tells them, in so very many ways, to take your welfare check and STAY OUT OF OUR SOCIETY. And here, I'm not speaking of racial differences so much as socio-economical differences.

We must find a way to convince those that view such assistance as payment for 'what is due' that such aid can truly be the stepping stone to 'claim what is within my power and hope to achieve'.

That will take changing the mindset of a whole subculture that views education as 'caving to the man'. Whose society, in fact, is it? For many, the definition of our society MUST change: both within themselves, and with real and verifiable proof from within the society as a whole.

The hope that you keep alive in your soul is not universally accessed. We must find a way to make it contagious.

And, neither those that access society daily, nor those that feel shunned from society, can do this alone.

~faith,

Timothy.

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This is well expressed,as are most of your posts that I have seen, but I only agree partially. Sure, something needs to be done, but talk? It's obviously not working. Talk only works if people are willing to listen and understand. What I have seen is as soon as you bring up racism people just shut down and get defensive. Trust me, I am black and native and have a boyfriend who is white. Most people don't want to admit where there was wrong-doing. What I have learned is that a problem can not be fixed until it is admitted that there is a problem. Maybe if someone can get that to happen, then that's where the healing will begin.

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I absolutely applaud this sentiment.

But, for too many, that inner strength does not win the day when the world tells them, in so very many ways, to take your welfare check and STAY OUT OF OUR SOCIETY. And here, I'm not speaking of racial differences so much as socio-economical differences.

We must find a way to convince those that view such assistance as payment for 'what is due' that such aid can truly be the stepping stone to 'claim what is within my power and hope to achieve'.

That will take changing the mindset of a whole subculture that views education as 'caving to the man'. Whose society, in fact, is it? For many, the definition of our society MUST change: both within themselves, and with real and verifiable proof from within the society as a whole.

The hope that you keep alive in your soul is not universally accessed. We must find a way to make it contagious.

And, neither those that access society daily, nor those that feel shunned from society, can do this alone.

~faith,

Timothy.

I agree with you. My sentiments are unique, unfortunately, and it took a lot of soul searching to come to where I am now.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Rosa Parks just didn't get a bug in her ear one day. The talk about the unfairness of Jim Crow was growing. Something HAD to be done. Ms. Parks was simply a catalyst. If not her, then it would have been someone:

Just bringing up the issues led to action and action produced results.

I agree with you: talk is cheap. But talking is where ideas spring forth and, you never know where that will be expressed in a newfound conviction that challenges all previous assumptions.

So while I agree that talk is cheap, the ideas that spring forth can be powerful. Those ideas can change the world.

Look at how many people have read this thread. If even ONE of them gets a new understanding, a new conviction in their hearts, if even ONE person can empathetically 'walk in someone else's shoes', then this thread is worth its weight in gold.

Is there racism in the workplace? I think we've sufficiently settled that. Now, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO ABOUT IT?

~faith,

Timothy.

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