This may come off as more of a vent, but I see white new grads, some with less nursing and healthcare education than myself, getting jobs, some of them highly coveted specialties. Yet here I am, with a BSN, magna cum laude, three years health care experience, new grad getting pushed aside. I interview well, but apparently not good enough. I am starting to feel bitter and can't help but wonder if my race might play a role. Other black new grads (BSNs too) are having a much harder time getting a job than white new grads.
Any black nurses want to comment on this phenomenon?
I am starting to look outside of my state, but I am not sure where to start. Preferably a place that is diverse.
You certainly can be racially aware, but it never seems to be enough. I have no control over my ancestry. I can say that I make conscious efforts to be racially sensitive, but I can guarantee that somewhere down the road someone will say, "Yeah sure."
I have experienced extreme persecution (yes, persecution) from the time I was a small child into the first ten years of my nursing career because of my religion. I was assaulted by a teacher, verbally abused in front of my classmates by several teachers, had my job threatened by several employers. In two cases I had to get help from an attorney. I guess that wouldn't be good enough for some (not naming anyone in particular) here.
So, I'm sorry I'm fish-belly white. I really am. I mean no harm.
As I mentioned earlier, privilege doesn't just come in the form of race. In America, privilege comes in the form of white, straight, male, Christian, well-off SES status. I am sorry that you have faced persecution in your religion. I remember you stating that you are a Jehovah's witness.
I am not sure why you are offended by my post. I haven't denied your persecution as others in this thread have denied the discrimination I have faced, accused me of having a "chip" on my shoulder and told me to "get over it." How would you like it if someone told you to get over the discrimination you faced from your religion or, worse yet, told you that persecution against your religion didn't exist?
That is how I am feeling, and I noticed some of the white posters have been hyper-sensitive when mentioned that there is privilege in being white in a country that is *gasps* majority white and *gasps* has a history of oppressing people of color, slavery and genocide.
Honestly, to the people who think white privilege doesn't exist, google. Read a history book. I find it mind boggling that people here are so angry over the term and refuse to believe that people of color don't face discrimination. I thought nursing school required a cultural competency class and that colleges required some sort of history or sociology course. Or hell, look at the media. Unarmed black men being murdered, black people with the same qualifications getting paid and employed less than their white counterparts, I could go on.
It saddens me that some posters would rather report my post than actually take the time and listen to what I and other minorities have to say. Or rather, brush it off as reverse discrimination without realizing that the term white privilege isn't new.
The first step in fixing a problem is to acknowledge that it exists. Unfortunately, too many posters here don't and are therefore part of the problem and not the solution.
I never claimed people of color don't have it harder. I just resent being the brunt of racial hatred and blame because of my color.
Point to where that has happened. Please, do so.
What I have seen is quite of few posters diminish racial discrimination of minorities and denial. I have also seen some white posters who have been sympathetic, compassionate and understanding that the playing field is not at all level. Some have even agreed that they have been privileged for being white.
I am not understanding this hostility from you. No one has said that all white people are bad and racist, nor has anyone said that they hate white people (why would I hate my own grandmother? ). Saying white privilege exists isn't racist but an ugly truth. Read up on Jim Crowe.
I never claimed people of color don't have it harder. I just resent being the brunt of racial hatred and blame because of my color.
And if anything MOST posters have been having an intelligent conversation about it, while other posters are getting defensive, and putting out the usual "all black people talk about race", instead of acknowledging that there have been challenges, which if anything is MORE inflammatory than posting about our experiences.
NO ONE has directed anything of blame; calling out people who decide to diminish people's experiences does NOT equate to blaming white
people for the issues, which no one has done.
The poster in mind has had an incidence of diminishing experiences, as well as you have a history of occasionally being inflammatory and forcing debate or being offensive at times; and yes I'm violating the TOS as much as you have decided to over step and quote the TOS, which has been frowned upon in the past.
Does this include the offensive generalizations about "white" people being of privilege that has been repeated over and over again on here by the OP? Because, honestly, I find ANY person that groups ANY race with broad generalizations as a bigot and racist.
I am having to repeat myself because you and certain other posters fail to acknowledge that there is truth in what I am saying. PLEASE take the time to educate yourself.
If I am a bigot for admitting that I, as a black person, face discrimination and lack the privilege that my white counterparts hold certain privileges for being part of the majority, then so be it.
Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.
I do not understand the racial dynamics of America.
Most hispanics in this area appear "white".
Why call them hispanic if,physically speaking,they appear white like Northern European Swedes?
Also,DC is no longer majority black;they are gentrifying like NYC.
Interesting. So in your area, someone who has a Latino heritage is not labeled - for my lack of a better word- as one if they appear 'white.' How do the Latinos feel about that?
Thank you for the clarity on DC; I knew the numbers were close and they were working on diversity. Glad to hear they made it.
Do this----> and then keep it moving: you are not going to reach those who get "uncomfortable" and defensive and self-centered about heir belief system without putting it aside and AT LEAST attempt to be empathetic; again, they have that affliction and continue to have no clue, or don't even inspire to see the other side; they know how bad it can be and rather stick their head in the sand figuratively and decide to not at least ask questions to enlighten themselves, or share their experiences without being inflammatory..
Do this----> and then keep it moving: you are not going to reach those who get "uncomfortable" and defensive and self-centered about heir belief system without putting it aside and AT LEAST attempt to be empathetic; again, they have that affliction and continue to have no clue, or don't even inspire to see the other side; they know how bad it can be and rather stick their head in the sand figuratively and decide to not at least ask questions to enlighten themselves, or share their experiences without being inflammatory..
Oh yeah. I certainly feel like it, and I feel like I would get further with a brick wall than some of the posters now. It must be nice to live in a bubble where one doesn't have to worry about the color of their skin impacting their career, their children and their very own lives.
Must be nice. It is clear they are not open to learning anything new. That is a shame. I hope their patients of color do not suffer from their ignorance. I really do.
and then keep it moving: you are not going to reach those who get "uncomfortable" and defensive and self-centered about heir belief system without putting it aside and AT LEAST attempt to be empathetic; again, they have that affliction and continue to have no clue, or don't even inspire to see the other side; they know how bad it can be and rather stick their head in the sand figuratively and decide to not at least ask questions to enlighten themselves, or share their experiences without being inflammatory.. 
ThePrincessBride, MSN, RN, NP
1 Article; 2,594 Posts
As I mentioned earlier, privilege doesn't just come in the form of race. In America, privilege comes in the form of white, straight, male, Christian, well-off SES status. I am sorry that you have faced persecution in your religion. I remember you stating that you are a Jehovah's witness.
I am not sure why you are offended by my post. I haven't denied your persecution as others in this thread have denied the discrimination I have faced, accused me of having a "chip" on my shoulder and told me to "get over it." How would you like it if someone told you to get over the discrimination you faced from your religion or, worse yet, told you that persecution against your religion didn't exist?
That is how I am feeling, and I noticed some of the white posters have been hyper-sensitive when mentioned that there is privilege in being white in a country that is *gasps* majority white and *gasps* has a history of oppressing people of color, slavery and genocide.
It is a slap in the face.