Accused of Racism!

Nurses Relations

Published

I'm so upset.. just walked in the door from working a night shift at a skilled long term care facility. I had a CNA working under me who had left a patient in a bed with urine until the urine had a yellow ring a round it. I instructed her to change the bedding and let her know that tolerate patients being I consider this kind of care unacceptable. I am brand new to the night shift. The CNA immediately accused me of being racist and "you're treating me like a black woman!"

I let my DNS know this morning... of the lack of care that the CNA provided, of things not done during the shift, etc. The DNS told me that she is very nervous about the possibilty of an EEO suit and that I should "cover yourself really well".

HELP!! This is a terrifing situation to me. I've worked as a nurse for over 2 decades and never been accused of racism. I don't think that there was anything in this situation that could have been construed as racism... but... what do I need to do to protect myself. What a nasty situation! What makes it even more frustrating is that this CNA frequently does very poor quality work and I've been trying to keep everything up beat and cheerful in the workplace. Now I don't know what to do!

I STRONGLY disagree with you.

i'm just quoting the academic definition of what "racism" is. You of course can feel free to disagree, but it's not something that I just came up with off the top of my head... :uhoh21:

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i'm just quoting the academic definition of what "racism" is. You of course can feel free to disagree, but it's not something that I just came up with off the top of my head... :uhoh21:

I don't know where you got this definition from, but you used it like it was your own idea. You did not state in your original post "The academic definition of racism is..."

By the way, that is not the true definition of racism...it is an unconventional definition of racism that you have chosen to agree with. So please do not act like I am disagreeing with "the definition" of racism; I am disagreeing with you since this is what you believe racism to be.

:) I am putting a smiley face in my post because I know that written words come across rather harsh sometimes, and I am just debating, not trying to cause trouble - or upset you or anyone else.

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i think prejudice happens to all people, but racism is a systematic and institutionalized form of oppression that benefits (in this country at least) whites and not the other racial groups. Sorry it's a bit of a pet peeve oif mine... having said that, again all groups have to deal with prejudice.

In case there is any confusion as to what exactly it is about your definition of racism that I disagree with...it's that it implies that racism benefits whites. Racism benefits no one.

Okay, I will shut up now.

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I don't know where you got this definition from, but you used it like it was your own idea. You did not state in your original post "The academic definition of racism is..."

By the way, that is not the true definition of racism...it is an unconventional definition of racism that you have chosen to agree with. So please do not act like I am disagreeing with "the definition" of racism; I am disagreeing with you since this is what you believe racism to be.

:) I am putting a smiley face in my post because I know that written words come across rather harsh sometimes, and I am just debating, not trying to cause trouble - or upset you or anyone else.

So why is the definition that you are accepting the "true" one, and the other the "unconventional"? Just wondering why you have the ability to find the truth but I somehow don't?...as I said you of course, can disagree, doesn't make the definition that is easily found in college textbooks, dictionaries many newsmagazine editorials or a quick google search any different. I am not here to argue, and in a way most would consider this just "semantics", much in the same way that many would equate the word "same" with "equal". (again different meaning here). Racism is set up based upon systems privilege for one group and inequality for another. Our society has many MANY examples past and present both blatant and overt of institutionalized racism. However, I am not here to try to change your mind, If the topic holds any interest to you though i would encourage you to read more on this topic... you might be suprised at what you find.

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In case there is any confusion as to what exactly it is about your definition of racism that I disagree with...it's that it implies that racism benefits whites. Racism benefits no one.

Okay, I will shut up now.

i will agree that in spirit racism truly doesn't "benefit" anyone, but racism does set one group up for privilege that the other group doesn't receive so in that specific way it is a "benefit". Ok so I'll shut up for now too! off to bed for me. :)

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In nursing appearance and perception count almost as much as the truth. It may not be right but...

Let me begin by thanking you for being bold enough to speak up. Labeling someone as "Racist" today is worst than labeling someone as a communist in the 1950's. Then you have to prove you are not- how do you prove a negative! My advice is run....from the comments of your superiors it is obvious they put perception over truth. Find a new job, but if not document, document, document. It is a shame this cowardly CNA hides behind stereotypical paranoia. Good luck.
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Specializes in Neuroscience ICU, Orthopedics.
In case there is any confusion as to what exactly it is about your definition of racism that I disagree with...it's that it implies that racism benefits whites. Racism benefits no one.

Okay, I will shut up now.

True. Racism benefits no one, rhetorically speaking. However, institutionalized racism, in our case an institution that developed more than 350 years ago, and of which only recently legally subsided, did benefit its progenitors and their descendants. To argue otherwise would denying every facet of American history as it pertains to race relations in this country.

Those who found themselves captive to this type of system were at a great disadvantage. To those reading this, I ask that you research the 'Emmitt Till' murder to get a sense of what was like to be the non-beneficiary of institutionalized racism.

There is an ample preponderance of cases where some have played the "race card", just as there is an ample preponderance of some who have mamed and killed someone simply due to their color and race. It is our legacy that we should not simply cast a cloud over an entire group of people based on the actions of a few.

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I do not need to hide period. and my pay checks are not easy. I notice you still have that mind set that black people are lazy, but that is your problem not mine. And remember racism is not a "CARD" but a problem.

How did you get that 'black people are lazy' outta bamma's statement?

I am a Black woman...and I completely agree with every word written. People of all races hide due to laziness.

:balloons: NEW BSN GRAD 2005!!!!!!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Will close for a cooling off period.

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