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?
Please do not put words in my mouth and then criticize me on them. I never said the only "real" southern heritage is the "white" heritage, in fact I gave a specific example of a shared southern experience involving the confederate flag that involved both whites and blacks (when I spoke about the frat house).
Furthermore, your claim that the issue is "not what white people claim to mean" but "is how black people understand their own southern heritage" is factually false. I acknowledged very clearly that there were competing interpretations of the meaning of the flag, using the Swastika as a similar example. The point I made was that its wrong to assume one interpretation over the other based solely on the perception of the person viewing the flag. In other words, just because someone sees the flag and gets offended because they think its racist does NOT mean that the person flying the flag is racist. Whether or not the situation is an example of racism depends on the reason the flag is being flown.
Again, everyone has equal rights. People have just as much right to fly the flag as a symbol of non-racist pride and culture as others have to consider the flag a symbol of racism and choose not to fly it. Furthermore, the good non-racist people who fly the flag are just as offended when others claim they are racist and organize attacks on what they consider to be an important cultural symbol. If you consider the flag racist, then don't fly it. Assuming that everyone who flies it is racist is wrong and its just as ignorant to assume YOUR interpretation of the flag is "right" and to disregard an innocent southern cultural icon.
That said, there are people who do connect the flag to racism and choose to fly it for that purpose. Those people are wrong and if you want to attack them, go ahead because they deserve it. What people don't deserve is to be judged by the assumptions of those who hold a different opinion.
I never "railed" on anyone for their ignorance. I pointed out that its equally ignorant to disregard legitimate non-racist interpretations of the flag as it is to disregard the very real fact that some people see the flag as racist. I do know the history of civil rights and that struggle highlights the fact that we are all equal and one person's opinion or even the majority opinion does not determine what is and what isn't true or right.
No you would not be right, and once again I never said anything along the lines of people needing to "get over" the racist interpretation of the flag. What I said was people need to respect BOTH interpretations of the flag and understand that neither is "right" or "wrong", its only wrong when the flag (or swastika) is used to promote hate or racism. In the swastika example I gave, I acknowledged that some people may be offended by the monk's tattoo but that it would be wrong to call that monk a racist or tell him to get it removed because its just as offensive to him when others are claiming an important ancient religious symbol has a different, racist, meaning when he regards its meaning as something good.
In short, the point is that many symbols have alternative meanings and sometimes, depending on intent and context, that meaning can be offensive to some. What we need to recognize is that one opinion or interpretation is not the deciding factor, what determines when someone is right or wrong for displaying a symbol is their intention. In the case of the flag, its not right to assume that people who fly it are racist just because certain people in the world see it as racist. Its also important to acknowledge that doing do is just as ignorant of one version of southern culture as the ignorance you are claiming me and people who fly the flag are displaying.
I'm not racist, that's a fact. You can believe me or not, I have no control over that and I respect your right to have an opinion, but I am not okay with you claiming I said things that I didn't say. In regards to the flag, the simple fact is a lot of people fly it as a symbol of self determination (or something along those lines) and do not intend any offense. There is nothing wrong with that. The civil war was horrible and 200 years of slavery was even worse. Yes the confederacy was originally pro-slavery and that was the main concern of the war, but that doesn't mean the confederate flag still stands for slavery or racism in modern times. Symbols evolve over time, just like the swastika went from being a well intentioned religious symbol to a reminder of the holocaust (in certain parts of the world), the confederate flag went form being a symbol of the pro-slavery confederate army to a symbol of things unrelated to racism or ill intent. It doesn't mean other interpretations don't exist, but it also doesn't mean one interpretation is any more valid than another and definitely does not mean its accurate or right to generalize one interpretation to everyone and use it to call them racist just because your interpretation leads to you being offended and you think your interpretation is the only "right" one THAT is ignorant.
I know I'm coming late to the game, but Jason what you say is sound and intelligent, and incorporates multi-cultural perspectives. Unfortunately, not everyone chooses to be open to the views of other groups. It is popular and politically correct at this time in history to label any opposing view as "racist". And if you disagree with that label, well, that certainly must PROVE you are racist. Sadly, our "tolerant" society is currently only tolerant of those who mouth the politically expedient talking points of the time.
I am concerned that your preceptor is blatantly threatening you! Only you can decide whether or not you want to put up with this. If you decide to stick it out, i would advise you to speak with Human Resources and get things documented and be sure to let the, know you feel threatened.. i would normally suggest you speak to the person directly but she doesn't seem like a reasonable human being! As far as the confederate flags, i have lived in a southern state for many years...most people i know don't equate the confederate flag with racism, it's more a "proud to be southern" thing. I am sorry you are experiencing this! Please remember that most people don't see color anymore, some people are just jerks!
What you're ignoring is that the confederate flag was comparatively obscure, even in the South, until the Republican southern strategy promoted it under the guise of "southern pride" in order to oppose civil rights legislation and gain electoral control of the south. Much of my family is from the South, too, and a confederate flag was nowhere in sight until the late sixties/early seventies. So, please - don't pee on my foot and tell me it's raining..
You're basically telling us that southerners base their pride in their history as slaveholders and the ongoing effort to deny equal rights to certain people because of their race. What else is that besides racism?
I am just so sorry to hear this. Unbelievable!!!!! I live in the Southern part of Mississippi. Yep the place you hear the worst things about. I will tell you though, I work in a smaller hospital and I never see or hear of this kind of thing happening here. My co workers and I are such good friends. We share each other's joys and sorrows. We pray for each other and treat each other with respect and kindness. Im not sure where you are in the country, but if I were you I would RUN! There is something terribly wrong here. It's not worth it. I would NOT TOLERATE racism of any degree. I'm truly sorry that this is happening to you. Such a tragedy. I have worked in several hospitals in my area and completed nursing school in a large teaching hospital and everyone had respect for each other. Sorry for sticking up for my state. Please remember that I realize this type of thing does happen here and we have our fair share of problems, but I like so many here are sick of intolerance. I taught my kids that we are all equal in God's eyes. It just makes me sick to hear your story. Best wishes to you. Find Another job.
Nancynurse12 As I said in my post above, I work in a small southern hospital. I am a minority white nurse. I am treated with respect as I treat my coworkers with respect. Most of the doctors, nurse managers and administration are black, asian, or middle eastern. I have tremendous respect for them and a great working relationship with all. I agree with you that this happens all too often but not always, everywhere. Thanks for your post. I appreciate everyone's input.
If it has come to physical symptoms with palpitations and insomnia I don't really see that you have a choice unless you can't get another job. There are some minorities who don't have your options and skills. They have to work cleaning bathrooms and doing other miserable jobs for minimum wage.and dealing with racist employers who don't care if they are sick or not. Or if they have a sick kid at home. They are talked to in a negative way. But they don't have a choice, you do. Start interviewing and find another job. You can always cite illness and the need to be closer to home. They don't need to know that the illness is yours.
I dealt with this as a travel nurse but I knew I was only there for 13 weeks.
I hope your coworkers are professional enough to have your back when you need help with a patient. I have worked with some real backstabbers in my time. I learned something from each situation and it has made me stronger.
take a stand, talk with your family and get their support.
dec2007
508 Posts
I know I'm coming late to the game, but Jason what you say is sound and intelligent, and incorporates multi-cultural perspectives. Unfortunately, not everyone chooses to be open to the views of other groups. It is popular and politically correct at this time in history to label any opposing view as "racist". And if you disagree with that label, well, that certainly must PROVE you are racist. Sadly, our "tolerant" society is currently only tolerant of those who mouth the politically expedient talking points of the time.