Racism in the workplace

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Not to be a downer or anything but I have noticed some harsh things said about patients and sometimes even co workers in my unit when they think no one else can hear them. Has anyone else dealt with this?

Specializes in brain injury,.

there are people from every race that are racist against some other race. It is a very sad world we live in when people are prejudiced each other based on looks,weight,race,hair color,religion ect. We can only control what we think and what we do. When someone says something derogatory against another person I have no problem speaking up and letting them know that I do not like it appreciate it or will I tolerate it. My child is half-white half-black but 100% human.

it is pretty sad world when someone actually takes the time out of their day and puts forth the effort to hurt someone elses feelings and say hateful things to another person.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Yes racism does exist among children. I've dealt with it first hand.When I say I've been dealing with racism my whole life I do mean my whole life.

I think what he meant is that it's clearly a nuture issue then a nature issue.

People aren't inherently evil; it IS a learned behavior.

I think there has been great improvement here, though. And, I think that is what Roy is speaking to. Integration in schools have had a positive effect. The idea of sitting in class together is no longer a 'call out the national guard' outrage.

Look, things are consistently improving, and they probably will continue to do so. I grew up with the N word casually bandied about in my house. But then, my father had all kinds of prejudices, that being just one. To him, that wasn't even a character flaw.

To me, it's a matter of pride that my oldest child, when he was in 6th or 7th grade, came home and asked me what that word meant. When I asked him how he heard it, he said, "All the black kids call themselves that all the time. The only thing I can figure out is that it's not a word a white person should use."

https://allnurses.com/forums/f112/teacher-protests-n-word-use-138348.html

In many cases, children do NOT know to be prejudiced anymore. That's because we have settled into a national pattern of self-segregation. Just like the aunt that mom hasn't spoken to in 10 yrs, it's just not an issue that comes up in many cases anymore. That being the case, many times for a child's first taste of integration - the public schools, many children just haven't been taught that there should be a difference in the way people are. I said many, not all, or even, most.

And I don't necessary think that's all positive, either. It's good that many children aren't being passed down overt negative prejudices. But, by the same token, it's a shame that their instruction on this, one of this nation's most important issues and legacies, is a deafening silence.

But that's where we are. Steady and slow improvement while both sides ignore the gulf in the middle, because we're safer on our own sides.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
To me, it's a matter of pride that my oldest child, when he was in 6th or 7th grade, came home and asked me what that word meant. When I asked him how he heard it, he said, "All the black kids call themselves that all the time. The only thing I can figure out is that it's not a word a white person should use."
I despise the N-word, regardless of who happens to use it. Blacks and whites both need to erase the word from their vocabularies, as the word has powerful connotations and an ugly history.
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I despise the N-word, regardless of who happens to use it. Blacks and whites both need to erase the word from their vocabularies, as the word has powerful connotations and an ugly history.

That's another thing that boggles the mind. Why do African Americans use that word in popular songs, movies when it has such an ugly history.

If they don't want people using that word, why do they use it. You'd think they wouldn't want to. I don't get it.

Also ... other words start to get confusing also. I guess I'm out of touch but I was recently informed N*gro is also considered bad but ... I don't remember that always being the case.

The rules seem to be always changing like ... blacks can use the "N" word but white people can't, and other words that, as far as I know used to be ok, may be bad also.

You want to respect people's wishes but, these rules are kind of weird.

:typing

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
That's another thing that boggles the mind. Why do African Americans use that word in popular songs, movies when it has such an ugly history.
Not all black people use the N-word. I'm black and never use the term. Please keep that in mind prior to making blanket statements about an entire group of people.
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Not all black people use the N-word. I'm black and never use the term. Please keep that in mind prior to making blanket statements about an entire group of people.

I didn't say all black people use the N-word. I said:

Why do African Americans use that word in popular songs, movies when it has such an ugly history.

That word is in A LOT of songs and movies featuring African American performers. I just don't get it.

:typing

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

What's this got to do with racism in the workplace?

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I despise the N-word, regardless of who happens to use it. Blacks and whites both need to erase the word from their vocabularies, as the word has powerful connotations and an ugly history.

I linked above a very long thread that discussed in detail the current use of this word by our youts. The last several pages has my take on it.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
What's this got to do with racism in the workplace?

EVERYTHING.

We are a product of our society. That involves our macro-relationships as well as our interpersonal ones.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I think it is a shameless ploy for ratings. Shame on CBS. The last thing we need is more division.

I have to agree. I don't see what the heck some sort of racially/ethnically teamed show is supposed to do for the we're-all-people stance.

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

And i think it's absolutely ridiculous that whether a word is offensive or not depends on the race it's coming from.

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.
pretending race/racism doesn't exist?

who said that was synonymous with equality?

i'm saying that's what is creating the apathy.

no one is saying that it is stereotypes and individual prejudice. :confused:

but- why not start with yourself?

granted, it's not changing the larger picture.

but what would happen if everyone (on an individual basis) just started rejecting the use of this vulgar epitaph?

it has to start somewhere roy.

and it's not just with racism.

we certainly don't have world peace.

but i can do everything i can, to make my corner of the world a little bit better.

it has to start somewhere.

when i was growing up, my mom was best friends with a black woman.

this black woman and her kids were the only black family in town.

when she left her husband, they came to live w/us.

we started getting eggs thrown at our house and called all sorts of names because of befriending this black family.

as a child, i did not understand the hate and the ignorance spewed towards this family and now, my family.

the black family (i'll call them the jones) wanted to stay inside our house.

they feared for their safety.

i remember being spittin' mad at the senselessness of these hate crimes.

me and the jones kids would go outside to the playground.

all the white kids started trying to beat them up, throwing stones, bottles.

i started to try and fight them all.

i wouldn't let me or the jones kids walk/run away.

and i couldn't contain my fury.

my adrenaline pumping, i remember turning to one of the joneses and demanded "WHY AREN'T YOU MAD???"

i couldn't stand to see them hovering.

suddenly the older jones kid got this look in his eye, kind of a get-it moment, and turned to the crowd and roared "NO MORE".

the look in his eyes shocked the bejeebees out of all the onlookers and perpetrators.

between him and me, everyone ended up backing away.

from that time on, the violence stopped.

when we got on the school bus, the kids left us alone.

some even said hi.

my point is it has to stop somewhere.

you have more power than you think.

everyone does.

no more.

it starts with you.

leslie

That intersting post, was entierly wasted because you didn't understand my argument.

I never said "pretend racism doesn't exist". Please read my post again.

My argument is "Just being colourblind is not enough".

Pretending "race doesn't affect relationships" is being naieve.

We're striving for racial equality in our society - this won't be achieved by claims to being colorblind.

Understanding and accepting that race does affect human relationships, and then choosing to work against it is the prudent option. Racism is more than just about stereotypes and prejudice.

cheers,

from-a-guy-who-hasn't-been-called-rag****-for-a-week-now.

PS:

I think what he meant is that it's clearly a nuture issue then a nature issue.

People aren't inherently evil; it IS a learned behavior.

I think there has been great improvement here, though. And, I think that is what Roy is speaking to.

Thanks.

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