My first RN job has lead me to a more rural part of the country. As a person of color, I have never experienced racism to this degree.
Some instances are subtle at work, but some are pretty blatant.
My first experience occurred when my preceptor mentioned repeatedly that I have a "black card" so I must be golden at my new position. (I never questioned her on what she meant.) My preceptor also mentioned things like "since you are black things will get stolen from you." Phrases like 'slave driver' have also repeatedly been mentioned in passing with my preceptor. Since I was on orientation, I let a lot of comments go and ignored them, due to fear of being let go or retaliation.
Now, the worst thing is that I have noted on several occasions, confederate flags waving from behind pick up trucks.
I'm not sure if I can stick it out for over a year in this place. What would you do?
So - affirmative action in the Ivy League is baaad but legacies are ok?
ETA: don't let it come as a shock to you, but middle class kids aren't getting admitted to the ivies any time soon, regardless of ethnicity or academic achievement.
The thread wasn't derailed, IMO. We are all just sharing our thoughts and experiences.
I don't know how old your children are, or if you hope to get them into Ivy League schools and into associated prep schools that are feeder schools for that league, but if and when you go to apply for them, you might find you're up against quotas that are not favoring white middle class students. The same is true with state universities and private schools that take Federal monies.
The parents and grandparents who have been able to freely attend public schools since about 1968 have not been kept poor and uneducated. Busing of students from inner city, AA areas out to suburban, mostly white schools has included these parents and grandparents. The opportunities available to us for education and all extra-curricular activities, plus guidance counselors to help prepare them for college, have been there for the taking, just as for white students. If you go back to the great grandparents, I would agree that things were more segregated then and opportunities were fewer.
Today there is no real good reason that I know of to be illiterate or uneducated.
Just about anyone can get a GED or go even higher if they want to.
Affirmative Action, MLK, Pres. Kennedy and Pres. Johnson changed everything - perhaps more in some places than others, perhaps not overnight. But change did come.
Is the playing field level? I don't know. I think it depends on exactly what aspect of education, housing, employment, or whatever we are looking at.
Is it wrong to help children of AA heritage have the same opportunities? Of course not. But remember - if there are 10 openings and 7 of them HAVE to be filled by minorities (as defined by law), only 3 whites can get in. So if 20 people apply, 10 won't get in at all. What if your own children are among the 10 that don't get in? They will have to make other plans, go a different route.
Suppose all of the applicants are equal as judged by GPA, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation from their teachers, club leaders, clergy, Senators, and so on. Suppose their entrance essays are equally good and their talents equally desirable.
Remember - 70% of those selected must be minorities. Your kids have only a 30% chance to be chosen. If you are OK with that, fine. I applaud your love of humanity and your willingness to have your children sacrifice for minorities.
I just want to add - I don't think there are too many children today who can't get a decent education.
With Head Start, free or low cost breakfast and lunch, free pre-school and post-school child care, free buses to and from school, with business and charities and individuals giving away free backpacks, free coats, free haircuts, free shoes, free notebooks and pencils, and probably other free items that school kids need there isn't too much more that a child lacks.
I know there are some kids living in terrible homes - homes with drug users who don't fix the kids a meal or oversee their activities, don't keep a clean and reasonably orderly home, who drink to excess, who don't see to the kids medical needs or make sure their clothes are clean and neat.
There is still a need for Big Brothers and Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs, Scouts, extended family, church, tutors, and neighbors to help parents make sure a child has all the loving support and boundaries they need. Poverty is tough and many, many kids are in this situation. But it seems like more kids than ever are not falling through the cracks.
At some point, kids might choose to go the gang route. Whose fault it that? Society's? Parents'? The kids' themselves? No easy answers. But even these kids can be reached. They can get an education in lock-up if that's where they are. As they mature, perhaps they come to see the errors they're making and choose to get straight. We know some will be lost, but many can be reached and helped to get back on track.
In other words, there is opportunity. More today than ever before.
Fewer men than women in Nursing? If men will apply, men will likely be accepted. How is that a racial problem?
Fewer minorities in powerful positions? Numerous states have or have had AA governors, senators, and congressmen/women. Black Caucus exists. Anyone can run for office. No laws bar minorities from running. What is the problem you see?
This whole post makes me sad...and angry.
Just because our current President is AA doesn't mean racism has disappeared. At all.
So much more I want to say but I will *try* to practice restraint.
I am HOPING that violence was involved AGAINST the KKK.
Clear?
Yes, you're clear. But what good will violence against them do? In the big picture? In the short run even? Violence is best left as a last resort - unless your life and limb or those of your loved ones are at stake. I think the law generally requires that we retreat before we get to be violent. I'm not a lawyer, so I'm not sure, and there are likely many circumstances that do allow for a violent response.
Yes, there's something to be said for getting in the first lick and for putting an end immediately to a bad situation. But so often it turns out to not be the end.
I guess there's a time and place for just about everything. I think it's almost always better to reason calmly and peacefully. No, it's not always possible to do that.
Clear. But what good will violence against them do? In the big picture? In the short run even? Violence is best left as a totally last resort.
Yes, there's something to be said for getting in the first lick and for putting an end immediately to a bad situation. But so often it turns out to not be the end.
I guess there's a time and place for just about everything. I just think that it's almost always better to reason calmly and peacefully. No, it's not always possible to do that.
Just because our current President is AA doesn't mean racism has disappeared. At all.
So much more I want to say but I will *try* to practice restraint.
I apologize for causing you sadness and anger, Nurse Leigh.
If it helps, please know that I am also sad that this topic, as usual, has caused so much upset. We can't seem to discuss race, abortion, assisted suicide, and similar topics without people getting upset.
I wish we could just accept that each person has a point of view about things and we don't have to be in agreement. And not being in agreement doesn't make anyone bad or evil or stupid.
Please share your thoughts if and when you can. When we lose the ability to talk to each other, it is such a sad, sad thing.
I'm not sure what Obama being AA has to do with racism ending. I agree - it's very much alive and well and it comes from all directions.
Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.
I am sooooooooo sorry this is happening to you. I can relate to your situation because I am African. Lots of warm soothing huggggsssssss ... I'll say do whatever makes you feel safe dear.
Another middle age white nurse here, I'm so sorry this is happening. I can't imagine the upset this must cause you. I can't counsel you on what you should or shouldn't do, only offer my sympathy and sorrow for what you are going through. Please document your situation and the events that occur, that way if you end up staying for a year and then resigning you can give this to HR in you exit interview. Please start looking for that new job right now!
So - affirmative action in the Ivy League is baaad but legacies are ok?
ETA: don't let it come as a shock to you, but middle class kids aren't getting admitted to the ivies any time soon, regardless of ethnicity or academic achievement.
Heron, are you replying to my post? I guess you are because you mentioned Ivy League. If you are not, then please disregard the following.
I didn't say AA was bad in the IL. I didn't mention legacies at all. Also, what does ETA mean in this context? I thought it was "estimated time of arrival".
I'm not sure how you interpreted what I wrote as being either good or bad. It was just a statement of what I believe are facts. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. But I don't think I said AA was either good or bad. That is a conclusion you reached somehow. I really am amazed, though I should not be, at how easy it is to be misinterpreted and misunderstood. I would like to know how you reached the conclusion you reached, if you'd be kind enough to explain.
There are actually a number of lower and middle class kids, on scholarships even, in the IL schools. At least, I have read about this in Time, Newsweek, Forbes, some big magazines - not sure which at this moment.
Also, what does ETA mean in this context? I thought it was "estimated time of arrival".
There are actually a number of lower and middle class kids, on scholarships even, in the IL schools. At least, I have read about this in Time, Newsweek, Forbes, some big magazines - not sure which at this moment.
ETA in this context is "Edit to add"
The reason those stories are in Time, Newsweek, ect are because they are exceptions to the norm. If it was common, it would not be newsworthy. Same reason that we read feel-good stories about dads taking braiding classes but not about moms coaching football. Both are outside the gender stereotype, but only one is praised as going beyond basic parenting.
Today there is no real good reason that I know of to be illiterate or uneducated.
Just about anyone can get a GED or go even higher if they want to.
How do you show a poor child (regardless of race) the benefits of education when the parent(s) are poor and working multiple jobs to get by? If the parent does not stress the importance of education, the child will not see it. Children of poor parents are more likely to be living in areas with heavy gang activities and see the fast money that theft or selling drugs can make. How do we tell that child it's a better idea to put themselves neck deep in student loan debt? Or to get a GED and work for minimum wage?
The problems are multilayered and not solvable on allnurses. The after shocks (and ongoing) systemic racism and Jim Crow laws spill into today. Not so simple as telling kids the opportunity is there.
If you have some time, please listen to the "This American Life" podcast called "The problem we all live with" and another titled "House rules". Quite eye-opening information.
Specializes in Cardiac ICU, ER, PICU, Corrections.
I am sorry to hear of this. What your preceptor said is completely unacceptable. I would speak to HR. I will also say this, not everyone who flies the rebel flag is racist. I fly for southern pride and small government. Absolutely nothing racist with my meanings. Sending hugs your way. People are just ignorant and I hope things improve for you.
heron, ASN, RN
4,662 Posts
So - affirmative action in the Ivy League is baaad but legacies are ok?
ETA: don't let it come as a shock to you, but middle class kids aren't getting admitted to the ivies any time soon, regardless of ethnicity or academic achievement.