Racial discrimination in Australia

ceridwyn · Jul 26, 2007

Give Aussie a break!!!

Unless everyone stays on there own patch of turf and humans become robots there will always be people that think themselves better than someone else. Discrimination happens in all countries...yes the phillipines as well......It should not happen, but it does no more over here than anywher else. I myself don't even notice what ethnicity the next person is, but don't expect me to bow and scrap to anyone more than anyone else good luck with your assimulation with all the white people in the US of A . Apology unaccepted, there is no need to pick on countries and call nearly every capital city the people discrimintory and then say sorry to everyone else that you have just painted with the same brush . :welcome:

Grace Oz · Jul 26, 2007

:stone:stone:stone

xng · Jul 26, 2007

. Are you sure that you that you are able to take constructive criticism professionally, and not personally. Some people are more sensitive about criticism than others.

Yes, I am able to take constructive criticism but in my case it was not.

Would you say a clinical teacher who shouts at you several times to put across a point as 'constructive criticism' ? Is this called professional in your opinion ?

And she gave me a disgusted look from time to time whenever she quotes other students as being able to perform better than me in clinical. For example, she quoted another student who could handle 2 patients all on her own. Would you consider this as constructive criticism if somebody gave you a disgusted look ?

At one time, she just walked off angrily without saying a word when I forgot what the abbreviation that she taught me two weeks ago meant. She would question me as and when she wants without any warning or preparation.

Furthermore, she made some of these remarks

"You are expected to be as efficient as me".

"You need to be a SPONGE and absorb everything you see in the hospital and everything that is taught to you".

"You need to be able to memorise the data and go across to the other room and then write it down"

"You are expected to know the history of all the patients in the ward and that's why you are sitting in the handover briefing". And I thought the nurse-student ratio is 4 to 1 and I am a semester one student.

She keeps telling me some of my old mistakes repeatedly to demoralise and put me down.

She deliberately left out some of the good things I did in the hospital and just emphasized my mistakes when making the report.

She also twisted some facts such as I only talked to one patient for several weeks when I actually made an effort to talk to every patient under my care.

I also noticed that she is extremely nice and attentive to the other white students and white nurses.

So tell me what do you guys think of her ? How do you classify her behavior if this happened to you ?

Racism ? Bullying ? Giving constructive criticism ?

I would like to know your opinions on this.

xng · Jul 26, 2007

as a new legal permanent resident of the US, I am looking forward in integrating and assimilating in white America as i know that Asians are more accepted here....

I do agree with your observation. When I was studying in canada, I found that most canadian lecturers are friendly and non-racists but it was a truly different experience in australia.

I should have gone to america where there's less racism. I didn't encounter much racism in america when I was there working for 6 months too in the past and I only spent 4 months in australia and encountered some real horrible people.

Another racist that I encountered was a white male guy in the lab. He wouldn't see me eye to eye when the students surrounded him. He deliberately avoided eye contact when I was standing just in front of him. If I understand correctly, it is the white people culture to see eye to eye with someone.

He even skipped my 'bed' group to go to another group to explain the details when my 'bed' is in the middle .

Bed A -> Bed B -> Bed C. He was teaching in bed A , then just passed by bed B, then he talked to the students in bed C without asking 'how's everything' to bed B.

This was my first lab session with him so I didn't have any contact with him before nor talked to him before and he was just filling in temporarily just for one lab session.

jonRNMD · Jul 26, 2007

Give Aussie a break!!!
Unless everyone stays on there own patch of turf and humans become robots there will always be people that think themselves better than someone else. Discrimination happens in all countries...yes the phillipines as well......It should not happen, but it does no more over here than anywher else. I myself don't even notice what ethnicity the next person is, but don't expect me to bow and scrap to anyone more than anyone else good luck with your assimulation with all the white people in the US of A . Apology unaccepted, there is no need to pick on countries and call nearly every capital city the people discrimintory and then say sorry to everyone else that you have just painted with the same brush . :welcome:

i did not post here in the Aussie forum to bash Australians.....i was just sharing my experience to other people. Remember that the thread is entitled:Racial Discrimination in Australia and NOT: Australians are racist. There is a huge difference here....i was not picking on different countries, i was just comparing my experience in australia compared to europe.....we are all here to share all our experiences whether in nursing or anything under the sun......

I am a broad minded guy and if you happen to visit the Philippines or China and experienced discrimination, then we are more than happy to discuss your case but I would not jump into conclusion that your are bashing Filipinos as what you interpreted in my post......

ieltsshy · Jul 26, 2007

No you haven't. After all, this is your experience and you are sharing it honestly. I think all countries though have much to offer in their universities because of their unique outlooks. I appreciate the fact that you don't put all ppl in the same class as Pauline Hanson...:balloons:

Thanks dar15, thought I was going to be bombarded with angry responses.

joannep · Jul 27, 2007

By your description of what she said I believe she was over-the-top, but ... I had to giggle, it is an echo of what was said to me by clinical educators during my training years! and my background is european. So I don't think her manner or what she said had anything to do with your race, but is just the way that (some) clinical educators give constructive criticism.

parsonsjonny · Jul 27, 2007

By your description of what she said I believe she was over-the-top, but ... I had to giggle, it is an echo of what was said to me by clinical educators during my training years! and my background is european. So I don't think her manner or what she said had anything to do with your race, but is just the way that (some) clinical educators give constructive criticism.

I agree, I think your best course of action is to remain positive, with a smile on your face, and thank your tutor for her comments and observations. She sounds a bit old hat to me to honest, but I too remember a few tutors who were seemingly a little unfriendly in my first year of training. By the time I qualified they were like my best buddies!!!

They were just testing my nerve, after all, when you hit the wards, ED or wherever you end up, you'll have more than your fair share of insults, abuse (from patients & relatives), bitching and backstabbing (from colleagues).

I doubt you have much to worry about right now really, I mean, have they threatened to kick you off the course?

nyapa, RN · Jul 30, 2007

Thanks dar15, thought I was going to be bombarded with angry responses.

That's ok :) I have actually been a recipient of similar behaviour from a lecturer though it wasn't a racist attack. It was horrible. And if in your case there are racist overtones then that is even worse. Best of luck, and wish you well for the future

xng · Jul 31, 2007

I
I doubt you have much to worry about right now really, I mean, have they threatened to kick you off the course?

What do you think ? When your clinical teacher overlook your good points and just overemphasize your mistakes, will you pass with flying colors ? What about the clinical teacher reporting lies to the university ? Is that considered constructive criticism ?

Do you need the clinical teacher to be overtly racist and yell "Seedy eyes, inferior race" before you label her as being racist ?

Action always speak louder than words. Her tones and body language has revealed her true attitude.

parsonsjonny · Aug 1, 2007

What do you think ? When your clinical teacher overlook your good points and just overemphasize your mistakes, will you pass with flying colors ? What about the clinical teacher reporting lies to the university ? Is that considered constructive criticism ?
Do you need the clinical teacher to be overtly racist and yell "Seedy eyes, inferior race" before you label her as being racist ?
Action always speak louder than words. Her tones and body language has revealed her true attitude.

What do I think? Well, i'm not there so I don't know, chill out a little, trying to give you constructive, open advice without having all sides of the story - very difficult as I can't see your clinical teachers body language!

From your comments, you are clearly very angry about this situation. I would refer you back to my original post; in short, complain in writing; get union support & quick, fight your corner by all means but cover all bases and be smart about it. Do not lose your temper and be aware, if this doesn't work out for you, your training could be over.

Good luck.

joannep · Aug 3, 2007

I agree. You need to detach yourself and follow the university procedure for reporting a complaint. You asked us for advice, which we are happy to give, but don't give us a serve.