Is this considered RACISM?

Question

If your not an Eskimo, but you keep being refferd to as an Eskimo, even when the co-worker has been told to stop because it is not true at all, just because someone is from Alaska, does not automatically make you an Eskimo. So if I went to work and called her somthing horrible like the N word, because she is a black woman, how is that different from me being a Native American? I am not an Eskimo, nor do I want to be called Eskimo, so should she still be working there if she is calling people racial slurrs? How is being called the N word diffrent then being called Skemo? (Eskimo)

I am Alutiiq Indian from the Alaskan Alutian Chain Gulf of Alaska, so I am not Inuit Indian.

Answer 1

I used to get called a prarrie ***&er racism is ignorance in the first degree! Be proud of who you are and file a complaint with your employer and see if this qualifies for harrassment, maybe get a restraining order agasnt her!

Answer 2

If the term is offensive to YOU, then it is considered harrassment if your co-worker continues to call you anything that you don't like. Many people will harrass others by using a term that they KNOW the other person finds offensive. Don't lower yourself & call her anything other than what she is, which is WRONG. Tell her she is so wrong, that you will be forced to file a lawsuit on her for wrongdoing if she does not stop immediately & have the conversation take place in your managers office. If being called an Eskimo is that offensive to you, then you'll have to do most of the work if you want to change things around your office/workplace. Perhaps the good old ACLU wants to walk on ice with this one! I always thought Eskimos were a proud group of people who survived where others could not on food that would kill the rest of us! I'm just another American. Good Luck :o)

Answer 3

according to what i have heard from many people, eskimo is a lesser of the racism words and people usually don't bring up a point with it on a big scale compared to words like ******. But it is still unfair for someone to be calling you or anyone else by a name in which you have said isn't the name you would like to be called. what i would do in your situation is report it and never answer to the name eskimo again.

Answer 4

You Must be a Tlingit American Native/known for the short temperament. Yes I would like to see that word go away. I do think you may hurt her feelings a lot more than yours was as the n word is not politically correct as for the E word chechacko's are a just a little on the naive side when they come to Alaska. In many,many ways Alaska is a Foreign land,but I find that it is the American tourist that is most rudest of all visitors. I used to participate in purchasing Nenana Ice Classic tickits, I was truly 3 minutes from winning the chunk of cash.
I do hope tourorrists have gone for the season to give ya a break, I hated it when a cruse line bus would stop by our home and allow them to photograph and gawk as if we were from another world.
Who gave the Cruse Lines run of the state. I know it was the State who really made the push for tourism, but Cruse Liners have taken monopoly. She drew first blood and deserved some of her bad medicine back. Take care.

Answer 5

Yes, this fits the definition of racism. The only thing you should be aware of is that most non-Native people consider Eskimo to be a positive term. But ultimately you have told her to stop and she continues -- that is definition of harassment. I'd tell your Human Resources department and lodge a complaint. I'd also tell the person doing this that they are not just annoying you, but that she is being racist. If she is African American that might make her reconsider.

Answer 6

Gads, girl - that sucks! I live in Fairbanks, and I know that Eskimos don't like to be called Indians and Indians don't like to be called Eskimos. Calling you a Skemo is TOTALLY unacceptable.

I know it's hard, but try to rise above it. You don't really want to sink to her level, do you? Is there any way you can avoid talking to her? Would your boss help you out? Seems to me the boss should get involved before this idiot woman says something that gets them sued.

Hang in there, girl!! Don't let her get you down. Easier said than done, but holding onto resentment is basically allowing someone you don't like to live rent-free in your head. Don't give her that kind of power over you!!

Answer 7

Oh the great debate is upon us. You see I recently had a problem with a co-worker who had gone to HR over racism. He was black and went to HR about 3 other employees, not me though. He pulled the race card and all that crap. Well I had issues with him and his blatant display of disrespect. I went to hr and you know what happened. Nothing thats what. They were no help......until on a recorded call I complained about how when he went to HR about him being discriminated because he was black the helped him. I was not receiving the same type of help so I told them that I felt like it was because I was white and he ws black....then the plot thickens.....you know what she said to me..."Well there are certain groups that are protected". Well i found out that a straight hetrosexual White male was not in one of those groups. Now on how I fixed the problem.

I recorded every incedent and got witnesses. Then i sat down with him and told him how i felt. He tried to downplay it but I told him how serious it was to me and that I was going to call HR unless we found a resolve. He then apologized and now we get along. Good LUCK

Answer 8

I seriously doubt that your coworker sees this as a racial slur, and it is one only if you let it be. Perhaps you should explain to her that for some reason you feel that Eskimos are beneath you and you are interpreting the usage of this word as being personally degrating to you. I have a feeling that she thinks she is being cute and clever and is using the word to pull your chain.

Answer 9

If you've asked her to stop and she has refused, then that is like on the job harassment or something and should be reported. Especially since it is making your workplace less inviting for you and such a term may to you feel derogatory. If she knows if feels that way to you and continues, she is well in the wrong. Submit a complaint.

Answer 10

Its not racism, per se it is ignorant and disrespectful though. Have you told her that it offends you that would be the first step if that doesnt help, then go to an immediate supervisor if no help there take it to human resources. And no you shouldn't lower your self to name calling it is not becoming of a lady. Hope you get this worked out.