Racism in the workplace

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2006

Oh yeah I think they are Asexual too

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Sep 8, 2006

You assume that integration or assimilation, which is what you are really talking about, is the only way to move ahead in society. That's quite an arrogant view. Many of us live in two worlds, our own segregated communities and the larger society as a whole. Quite honestly I don't see anything wrong with that.
And it's nice that you want to see an attack on the word 'oreo'. Who do you know that uses it, because I don't know any. Same for the welfare check bit. Who exactly are you talking about?

Integration or isolation.

This is a 40 yr old debate. And the concepts are mutually exclusive. Either you claim the society as your own, or not. Each has drawbacks, and each has concequences. Why do you think that is an arrogant view? It was MLK's view. The NAACP you spoke about, the group at the moment in time that aided Rosa Parks: it was THEIR view.

I don't assume that integration is a better path. I have a valid comparison: 40 yrs of voluntary isolation don't seem so promising. The 'separate society within society' that Stokely Carmichael thought so highly of: where is it? Where is the empowerment for a generation of young men that have resigned themselves to prison or death because there is no hope of anything more promising? "Black Power" is meaningless without 'Black Empowerment'. And turning your back on society is not empowering. Rage without focus is a powerful, but ultimately empty emotion.

But it's not just about turning your back on society for lack of hope. It's about a society that 'tolerates' such desolation.

You have a better idea?

~faith,

Timothy.

LADYFLOWER · Sep 8, 2006

There are no male ones either! Nor are there older icons! I'm seeing a pattern here. If you went by the icons---most of us are yellow with a smiling face :wink2:

It would be nice to be that yellow smiley all the time! He looks pretty happy! LOL!

LADYFLOWER · Sep 8, 2006

Oh yeah I think they are Asexual too

LOL! I think they are too! Oh goodness...

leslie :-D · Sep 9, 2006

"Black Power" is meaningless without 'Black Empowerment'. And turning your back on society is not empowering. Rage without focus is a powerful, but ultimately empty emotion.
~faith,
Timothy.

today was my 16 yo sons 2nd day of school.

in 1 class, he is the only white person.

in his other classes, there are a few white kids, couple of spanish, the rest black.

both days, he has come home telling me the black kids are allowed to use the "n-word" and the (black) teachers don't say anything.

perhaps it is a form of empowerment, w/o the rage.

maybe there are folks that don't want to be integrated w/white man, but rather, expect to be treated equally and respectfully.

kind of a live and let live.

maybe black folks would be a whole lot happier to exist in a society where the stereotypes are dropped, but continue for us to all live in our own, separate subcultures.

that ea one of us has the potential and opportunity to be successful, regardless of gender, age, disability or race.

that yes, a black person can indeed be a physician.

that there aren't any looks of shock when (any)one is successful, or even more despicable, to assume that any designated race is doomed to minimum wage.

i don't know anymore.

i used to have images of racial harmony.

but for now, maybe, just maybe, it's ok if we don't push too much for mandated integration, w/assurance that everyone is unequivocally worthy; and that we treat ea other accordingly.

maybe if we stop pushing so much and start the peace process within ourselves, then everything, in time, will fall into place.

with peace.

leslie

eta: it is notable to add that both days, my (white) son has come home extremely happy.

that everyone gets along and enjoys ea others' company.

this is a new school for him.

last few yrs, he's been going to catholic schools.

this year, a public school, and i've never seen him happier.

NurseguyFL · Sep 9, 2006

Some interesting points are raised here, but as some of you correctly stated, prejudice takes many different forms and it doesn't stop at racism. There are people who love to slight fat people, gay people, ugly people, illegal people, poor people, people of any ethnic or national background thats different than theirs; the comments, the jokes, the facial expressions... Ultimately though, the greatest divide seems to be the one that separates us into fair-skinned and dark-skinned ethnic groups. It is a mistake to assume that people who display these behaviors do so out of ignorance. Unless they have been living under a rock or in a cave during the past 60 years they KNOW better. And I have to laugh whenever I hear people say that claims of racial prejudice are overstated in America. It is an undeniably HUGE part of our history that evolved into the social strata that exist in America today. And it continues to exist in many subtle and some not so subtle ways.

I do not tolerate this type of behavior in any form, and whenever I see or hear it I always ask: "Was that a negative, derogatory inference about so and so...?" Most people aren't stupid. They know exactly what they are doing, and once they realize that you're not playing into their BS they are usually very careful not to present those attitudes in your presence again, and that's perfectly fine with me. But, we have to be realistic. Some people will never change because they are who they are and they love being and acting that way. I wouldn't call this arrogance, but it certainly is a waste of time and energy.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 9, 2006

I challenge each of the 7,765 viewers of this thread, and everyone else that comes along:
WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT?
~faith,
Timothy.

In the 30 plus minutes since my last post, 179 new readers have read what we all have to say in this thread.
If only some of them actually listen and understand, that alone makes it worth the effort to talk about it.
To each of those new readers - and the older readers: how are YOU convicted to be the one person that challenges all previous assumptions within your environment?
Where is the spirit of Rosa Parks within you?
~faith,
Timothy.

FYI just because someone's not talking constantly about it, or constantly reading about is certainly does not mean people aren't doing something abouot it, trust me. :nono:

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 9, 2006

Originally Posted by mssfelder
PS. Ever wonder why their is no black, asian, indian, or hispanic nurse icon to post in threads? Hmm...

What exactly is the implication, here? :stone

Quite a few people have 'linked' their own smileys and such to threads. There's millions out there.

Of course, here's another wild idea: instead of speculating why some website doesn't have any of a certain smiley to provide to people, why not create some?

PANurseRN1 · Sep 9, 2006

All of the people who are responding to a post like this are the ones who keep racism so alive and well. i think that most people are some where in the middle so to speak when it comes to racism with a few who will go to extremes, meaning that yes, people have prejudices, it is part of how we protect ourselves. That being said, yes a lot of black people have been innacurately portrayed in the media, therefore there may be some false notions of black people in America. But, it makes me wonder what kind of person feels the need to argue their points on racism to the point that there is a 21 page thread about it. The subject has been debated ad nauseum, and It gets no where. I think that most normal people, regardless of stereotypes will take the time to get to know someone if they get the chance. Personally, I think that most black people need to stop using slavery as a crutch, and get out there and take more advantage of what America has to offer. I know that the civil rights movement wasn't that long ago, and some wounds are still pretty fresh, but getting down on yourselves and wallowing in self-pity is not working. As far as healthcare goes, I think that the majority of patients and families want someone who is competent. End of Story. As far as going above and beyond b/c one is black??? Everyone should feel as if they should have to go above and beyond. Why do people feel like they should only work above their potential to prove something to someone else. What about proving to oneself that you have enough pride within, so that every job that you do in life exceeds the last one because you have learned something from the last experience to take to the next???

Since you responded to this thread, does that mean that you are also a racist?

SharonH, RN · Sep 9, 2006

"Black Power" is meaningless without 'Black Empowerment'.
You have a better idea?
~faith,
Timothy.

!!!!!! I told you 7 or 8 pages ago that empowerment was one plank of the Black power movement. You refused to acknowledge it and instead chose to focus on one or two lines of rhetoric which you decided defined the entire movement. Now you lecture me about Black power being meaningless without Black empowerment as though you are teaching me something? :nono: Please....

Do I have a better idea? Um, yeah. Instead of focusing so much time on acheiving "integration", how about investing in and improving our own communities? Improve our own schools and teach entrepreneurship, financial prudence and investment. Support the higher institutions of learning whch have always educated our children. Open and support the businesses that locate in our communities. That's a start. I know it sounds like "isolation" to you but it sounds like "empowerment" to me.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2006

Sorry folks we seem to be going nowhere fast on this thread I am going to close it down for 48 hours and the staff will review.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2006

Sorry folks we seem to be going nowhere fast on this thread I am going to close it down for 48 hours and the staff will review.

It has been decided by the staff that this thread has run it's course. So will remain closed. I am sorry if this has dissapointed some members, but I am sure there will be other opportunities to discuss this issue again.

:wink2: