How do you deal with "reverse" racism at work?

Question

my departments is mostly african american, there are a hand full of white people (3) to be exact and myself (puerto rican) so its like 15 to 4. For some reason or another only the non african americans are stuck on nightshift, AND working weekends for the last 9 months (since Ive been here) I noticed the black women in my dept often critisize non blacks about hair, butts, accents its starting to really effect my work. I spoke to my supervisor (black) and tip toe'd around it but she is so verbally agressive I really cant say what I feel AND to make matter worst this dept has the highest turnover in the entire company and my co-workers (even some black) say the racism was the reason, but that its owed to them. Im Puerto RIcan my great great grand parents were Taino Indian we had no part of the slave trade why do I keep getting lumped into the "white" catagory. And How do I address this nonscence without getting fired?

Answer 1

First of all, there's no such thing as "reverse racism". Racism is racism, no matter who the victim or offender.

Second, the company you work for (you said a department) probably has a sexual harassment hotline or something along those lines, meant for people scared of "retaliation" if they report somebody important. You can call them and tell them that even though it's not sexual harassment, it's shady business practice. And if you get fired for it, sue.

Answer 2

The term I usually hear is "reverse discrimination" but your example is not that. "Reverse discrminiation" would be a situation in which you hire someone or promote someone who is actually unqualified from a minority over someone who is qualified so as not to appear to be discriminating. The person hired/promoted is called an "Uncle Tom". Your situation is just simply "discrimination", it's just that it's ironic that it's blacks who are discriminating against whites (or hispanics.)

What you do in this situation is you and your hispanic/white coworkers band together and complain to the state Human Rights Commission. They have the authority to investigate cases of discrimination and legally order changes at a business. Companies live in FEAR of these people as they can seize all their books and records and even criminally charge managers!! Since you go as a group, you cannot be singled out for harassment.

Find the local office for the state commission and complain immediately!!

Best,
-- Liam

Answer 3

Get a different job. There's no reason for racism of any sort to exist. Nowadays, humans are humans & you can't change what happened many years ago. It wasn't your fault or mine. I've got no time for the race card being thrown around. I think a majority of us would gladly become slaves just to get that part of life put behind us. How many years have to pass before it don't matter anymore? I'm sorry for the oppression everyone had to endure, BUT, it's not our fault. Act decent people. We are all human beings who are here for reasons unknown to us. Do the right thing. The life you save may be your own. One single person or race cannot change the world. The time has come to work it out & overcome.

Answer 4

Just tell them straight and let them know how you feel. This will make it easier for both parties to sort things out. Although speak with respect and approach the issue with certain degree of sensitivity. Don't worry everything will work out in the end. The truth is always the best option and falsehood will always perish. Be straight up girl.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

oh this is absolutely common.report it immediately to higher authorities.i mean like,human rights commission.throw the book at them.sue.get restitution.meanwhile,look for another job.life is too short to be stuck around racists.not that you arent racist yourself.