Diversity

GM2RN · Oct 1, 2011

No one has posted in this thread in a while but I just read it. I feel that if the OP had specified that the hospital in question is hiring almost exclusively Latinos or Asians, and that white people are suspiciously underrepresented there this conversation would have a very different tone, and much fewer "who cares," or "I don't see the problem" types of comments. It's frustrating when discrimination only becomes a legitimate issue to some white people when they feel they are getting the short end.

I don't think this is correct at all. The only time there is a hue and cry is when some organization is white only (although I don't believe that there are only whites at the facility in question). Blacks, Asians, Latinos, etc, all can be exclusive of whites and nobody has a problem with it, but try to have an all white organization and there's no end to the outrage!

TempRNce · Oct 1, 2011

I don't think this is correct at all. The only time there is a hue and cry is when some organization is white only (although I don't believe that there are only whites at the facility in question). Blacks, Asians, Latinos, etc, all can be exclusive of whites and nobody has a problem with it, but try to have an all white organization and there's no end to the outrage!

I see what you are saying, but you are forgetting the historical and social context. Historically, "all white" organizations in the U.S. have formed specifically in an attempt to keep non-whites out and plot how to kill them - that should cause outrage. Blacks, Asians and Latinos congregate not to exclude people but to be able to speak their own language or dialect, enjoy their traditional foods, discuss things relevant to their community or culture, or maybe just to be in a situation in which they don't stand out.

It's not difficult to surround yourself by white people if that's what you wish to do, it happens by accident. Why on earth would anyone need to "try to have an all white organization"?

OCNRN63, RN · Oct 1, 2011

I see what you are saying, but you are forgetting the historical and social context. Historically, "all white" organizations in the U.S. have formed specifically in an attempt to keep non-whites out and plot how to kill them - that should cause outrage. Blacks, Asians and Latinos congregate not to exclude people but to be able to speak their own language or dialect, enjoy their traditional foods, discuss things relevant to their community or culture, or maybe just to be in a situation in which they don't stand out.
It's not difficult to surround yourself by white people if that's what you wish to do, it happens by accident. Why on earth would anyone need to "try to have an all white organization"?

That was history, yet they continue to punish whites in the present who had nothing to do with those organizations.

And by exclusion, they miss an opportunity to increase knowledge and understanding about their culture.

I wouldn't want to belong to any group the deliberately excludes others based on race.

GM2RN · Oct 1, 2011

I see what you are saying, but you are forgetting the historical and social context. Historically, "all white" organizations in the U.S. have formed specifically in an attempt to keep non-whites out and plot how to kill them - that should cause outrage. Blacks, Asians and Latinos congregate not to exclude people but to be able to speak their own language or dialect, enjoy their traditional foods, discuss things relevant to their community or culture, or maybe just to be in a situation in which they don't stand out.
It's not difficult to surround yourself by white people if that's what you wish to do, it happens by accident. Why on earth would anyone need to "try to have an all white organization"?

I haven't forgotten anything. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you didn't mean that ALL white organizations in the US were formed to plot how to kill non-whites. Relatively few of them did (was there even more than one?). Even so, I don't see that as even relevant unless you are implying that the facility in question is plotting to kill non-whites, and again, I'm going to assume that you aren't.

I have no personal need to have an all white organization; I was just making a point. However, as long as non-whites have the right to form groups that exclude whites, whites should have the same right, assuming no ill intent toward any other on the part of any group.

TempRNce · Oct 2, 2011

I haven't forgotten anything. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you didn't mean that ALL white organizations in the US were formed to plot how to kill non-whites. Relatively few of them did (was there even more than one?). Even so, I don't see that as even relevant unless you are implying that the facility in question is plotting to kill non-whites, and again, I'm going to assume that you aren't.
I have no personal need to have an all white organization; I was just making a point. However, as long as non-whites have the right to form groups that exclude whites, whites should have the same right, assuming no ill intent toward any other on the part of any group.

Whites absolutely do have the right to form groups that exclude non-whites, and there are some in existence in your area (do a web search). But with few exceptions, minority groups are formed not to exclude anyone, but for a source of community. You could join the NAACP if you wanted to, at least one of the chapters even has a white president. The fact that you "have no personal need to have an all white organization" is the key point. If you really wanted to you could, but you don't want to. It would likely be redundant and would attract a pretty specific type of member. Instead of asking "how come I can't do this," maybe ask "why do other people need this?" Maybe you could go to a chicano or asian or black organization's meeting and find out, I'm sure you'd be welcome.

GM2RN · Oct 3, 2011

Whites absolutely do have the right to form groups that exclude non-whites, and there are some in existence in your area (do a web search). But with few exceptions, minority groups are formed not to exclude anyone, but for a source of community. You could join the NAACP if you wanted to, at least one of the chapters even has a white president. The fact that you "have no personal need to have an all white organization" is the key point. If you really wanted to you could, but you don't want to. It would likely be redundant and would attract a pretty specific type of member. Instead of asking "how come I can't do this," maybe ask "why do other people need this?" Maybe you could go to a chicano or asian or black organization's meeting and find out, I'm sure you'd be welcome.

I wasn't asking "how come I can't do this." I was making a point in responding to another member's comments. As for white only groups, as soon as a non-white wants to make an issue of it, it's all about discrimination, but when non-whites form exclusive groups, it's only for support and to share their culture. :rolleyes:

whereslilly · Oct 6, 2011

I was very interested when I found this thread. I'm disappointed the OP hasn't returned to retort. This has been a very real, eye opening and painful issue for me. I recently, approx a month ago finally!! found work at a small CD/IP facility. I was thrilled. Its a very small Nursing staff; quite cliquish. Right away I was bombarded with questions generally asking me "what are you?" Basically asking my families origins. I usually would laugh it off, "oh, Im a mutt". Well, on this threads subject, every single person working in this facility from Nursing, Counselors, Housekeeping, Kitchen..are all Caucasian. I honestly had never worked in an environment like that. I found it "odd", especially after working my whole life in NYC. On Day 3 my Head Nurse was speaking with me about the schedule. I knew I had 1 personal day to use "or lose by 09/30". As a Jewish person, I do observe the High Holidays which are in late Sept, then in Oct. I asked her if I could use my PD for Rosh Hashanah on 9/29, afraid to ask for 9/30 off as well. (it is a 2 day holiday). She went off on me!! "Are you kidding me? Does this mean you are gonna want every Jewish holiday off? What kind of holiday is that anyway? your X-mas? I never heard of it". I responded, No, I do not need every holiday off. I am not a Shabbot observer. I work on Saturdays. Minor Jewish holidays we can work. This is the New Year, a High holiday". From that day, I was either ignored, left to figure things out for myself. I was met with a wall of ice daily by this woman and her cronies. I finally reported this to HR who apologized and stated, "She (the head nurse) isn't used to dealing with Jewish people." HR also told me to report any "retaliation" I might experience. There has been too many numerous incidents to list. I go home sick to my gut every nite. I love the work, the patients, but this environment is literally killing me. I think they are setting me up to fail, then fire me. Should I just quit first?

rn/writer, RN · Oct 6, 2011

Don't quit. Keep a log of incidents. Let HR know you are not being treated right. Or, if you think they will not give you the protection you are entitled to, see if you can find out about what to do next from someone at the EEOC. Also, contact the Anti-Defamation League for ideas.

http://www.adl.org/

It's important that you not just give up and walk away. Even if you end up working somewhere else, the home's administration should be informed about the ridiculous and illegal attitude you are being faced with.

Did you get that day off?

whereslilly · Oct 6, 2011

rn/writer:thank you so much for hearing me. After a week that every day the stress level reached 9.9, and the writing was clearly on the wall..I gave up. I did try contacting the ADL via e-mail several weeks ago. Sleepless nites, and various somatic conditions made the decision for me. I called this am and resigned. I know, I pussied out. i wish I was stronger. I have kids that need a mentally and physically healthy mom. (and a roof,lol). I do have some good job leads. BTW, yes I did get my day off. Actually, because I believe the head nurse was "spoken" to, she approached me days later and said rather strangely," You need to take off both days, your holiday is 2 days. I'm taking you off the schedule for Thurs & Fri". Actually that is about when the real poison treatment started. Anyway, I thought I had seen it all. Live and learn.

TempRNce · Oct 6, 2011

rn/writer:thank you so much for hearing me. After a week that every day the stress level reached 9.9, and the writing was clearly on the wall..I gave up. I did try contacting the ADL via e-mail several weeks ago. Sleepless nites, and various somatic conditions made the decision for me. I called this am and resigned. I know, I pussied out. i wish I was stronger. I have kids that need a mentally and physically healthy mom. (and a roof,lol). I do have some good job leads. BTW, yes I did get my day off. Actually, because I believe the head nurse was "spoken" to, she approached me days later and said rather strangely," You need to take off both days, your holiday is 2 days. I'm taking you off the schedule for Thurs & Fri". Actually that is about when the real poison treatment started. Anyway, I thought I had seen it all. Live and learn.

You are plenty strong to have gone through this as long as you did, what a horrible thing to have to experience! If this was affecting your physical health it doesn't sound like you really had much of a choice, your kids do need you to be healthy. Good luck in your job search, there is something better waiting for you.

rn/writer, RN · Oct 6, 2011

You didn't wimp out. Your sanity and your family come first.

I'm so sorry that this didn't work out for you. I hope you find something better soon. :up: