Racism in nursing

Nurses Activism

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Please share your experiences.I am not a white female nurse, and occasions have risen where I have suspected that I was victimized because of my race.I just moved on and ignored it, because people who have a problem such as racism, # 1, may not even be aware that they are discriminating and #2, if they are, are probably too comfortable in their attitudes to want to change it.

those complaints about you that reach the managers about your attitude problems or your mistakes, if any, are usually exaggerated and petty. i really find it disgusting, when the same folks cuddle up to a minority doctor or other 'higher-up' who has authority over them, yet are unmerciful to those over whom they have power.

I am so sick and tired of minorities crying racism whenever they disagree with a white person, or sexual orientation discrimination when a gay disagrees with a straight person! Get over it :angryfire maybe, just maybe that white person is merely a jerk, or maybe just maybe the black person is WRONG- heaven forbid. And I am sure that more than one person will call me a racist and I will probably get "Warned", but get a grip. Yes, racism does exist, but just because a white male might do a wrong towards an hispanic female does not necessarily make it "Racist". So, once again I will say GET OVER FEELING LIKE THE WHITE MAN OWES YOU :rotfl:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.

changed my mind.....

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
jenna3uc said:
what exactly is "REDNECK"?

The definition of the rednecks that I grew up around is (as Jeffy Foxworthy said) "a glorious absence of sophistication." I know rednecks that aren't bigots or racists.

In other words, it's a stereotype.

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They are typically violent towards non-whites and drive around with the dixie flag on their car or truck. Needless to say, we are full of them here in the deep south.

Where I grew up, we refered to people such as this as __________ (has 7 letters, starts with an A, ends in "hole').

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This is a touchy topic, but doesn't it have to mean that when something happens to someone of a color other than white it is based on his/her race???

Many "white" nurses experience the problems of "compentancy levels", attitude problems, accused of whatever. etc There are many more...I know it is racist with the comment "where are the white nurses" That is horrible...unfort. not much can be done, even thou it should be...

But I just don't see how...attitude, incompentancy, poor work ethics, or the "I dont like him/her syndrome" is directly related to race...cause it happens to EVERYONE...no matter the color or station in life.

Sometimes I am scared too many things get said to be related to race when in reality it may just be a clash of personalities...or the jealousy situations that occur with nursing and in life...I don't like the statement of "racism" to be used as an excuse or cop out, cause it isn't always about race...some people just don't like other people, some people just don't work the same or same work ethics as others...but by NO MEANS is it limited to Race.

I think racism/equality has turned one racism act to another or against another race...I just don't see how equality is met by demanding of a particular race be hired or sex for that matter....or how people feel they are treated a certain way based on looks, not limiting to race here...

Just my .02

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

[i will say that i feel racism goes in [i]all[/i] directions, though.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.
underwatergirl said:
This is a touchy topic, but doesn't it have to mean that when something happens to someone of a color other than white it is based on his/her race???

Many "white" nurses experience the problems of "compentancy levels", attitude problems, accused of whatever. etc There are many more...I know it is racist with the comment "where are the white nurses" That is horrible...unfort. not much can be done, even thou it should be...

But I just don't see how...attitude, incompentancy, poor work ethics, or the "I don't like him/her syndrome" is directly related to race...cause it happens to EVERYONE...no matter the color or station in life.

Sometimes I am scared too many things get said to be related to race when in reality it may just be a clash of personalities...or the jealousy situations that occur with nursing and in life...I don't like the statement of "racism" to be used as an excuse or cop out, cause it isn't always about race...some people just don't like other people, some people just don't work the same or same work ethics as others...but by NO MEANS is it limited to Race.

I think racism/equality has turned one racism act to another or against another race...I just don't see how equality is met by demanding of a particular race be hired or sex for that matter....or how people feel they are treated a certain way based on looks, not limiting to race here...

Just my .02

You bring up some very good points and you are quite right. HOWEVER, just because it isn't always about race doesn't mean that it is never about race. And people have the right to defend themselves in that situation; we don't have to be quiet about injustices just because it gets on some people's nerves.

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The word "redneck" was originally used by "City-Folks" or the upper-crust to discribe farmers and other outdoor laborers. It evenutally became a stereotypical and racist comment from blacks towards whites.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
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It evenutally became a stereotypical and racist comment from blacks towards whites.

Mmmm, I don't completely agree with that, since I tend to hear more whites use the term.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
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HOWEVER, just because it isn't always about race doesn't mean that it is never about race.

And I agree with this as well, but, I HAVE known some people that automatically call it racism (various races) when then get reprimanded (just examples) tardiness, call-off, policy violations.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
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just don't see how equality is met by demanding of a particular race be hired or sex for that matter

Neither do I.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.
BamaBound2bRN said:
The word "redneck" was originally used by "City-Folks" or the upper-crust to discribe farmers and other outdoor laborers. It evenutally became a stereotypical and racist comment from blacks towards whites.

Wrong again. Although it can be used as a insult, primarily White people gleefully and pridefully refer to themselves as "redneck", celebrating their lifestyle, history and "culture":

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.
Marie_LPN said:
And I agree with this as well, but, I HAVE known some people that automatically call it racism (various races) when then get reprimanded (just examples) tardiness, call-off, policy violations.

I agree with this as well. I have known people of all races to do this.

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