Is this racist.....?

Question

I was told an interesting thing the other day at work. I work for an organisation supporting various vulnerable groups of people(young people,domestic violence victims etc) - in the company policy it states that if a person is of an ethnic minority and are allocated a white worker, they are allowed to specify that they DO NOT want the support from a white person and they will be allocated a support worker from an ethnic minority......there is nothing in the company policy about the same rule being applied to a white client who doesnt want a black/minority ethnic worker........whats the betting that it was the other round round and it only gave a rule saying white people could refuse to have a black worker there would be uproar and racism allegations............what does everyone think?? Shouldnt we all have equal opp.'s?

Night Owl - u make a good point.... i always thought another example of that is the "mobo" awards.....would there be public outcry if there was a "mowo" awards ceremony....? music of specifically White origin???

oh and to the people who imply that i am being racist - i am not....where have i said anything provocatively racist?? I was simple asking what people thought!

Oh and also - i am not complaining as such - simply asking a question. why are people always so quick to accuse one of being racist for simply pointing something out!

Answer 1

You should be able to choose the race/ethnicity of your support worker, doesn't matter what race you are, or what race they are.

Answer 2

It's hilarious, the answers you're getting.

"Black people have too many rights"???? The person who said this sounded like the racist hicks who were upset when black men were given the right to vote. Calm down, white people have more rights than black people ever will in this country but you're too bullheaded to see that. White people don't get pulled over for driving nice cars or walking around in nice neighborhoods. White people don't get denied to live in nice neighborhoods. White people don't get followed in the store. White people don't have to worry every five minutes if someone's going to stereotype them because of how they look. And blacks have more rights? Come on!

To answer your question, I will say that it's easier for people of minority groups to relate to someone who looks like them. White people usually never have this problem because they make up 80% of the population so there's always someone around who looks like them, which is why the rule does not run in the reverse. It's white privilege. I know you guys don't like that term but that's what it is. All of the little invisible privileges that you take for granted.

For the nuts who complain about there not being a NAAWP or marching for heterosexual rights, do you not see how DUMB that sounds? The reason there ARE focus groups for minorities is BECAUSE THEY ARE MINORITIES and they have different concerns from those of the MAJORITY. Really, this is Sociology 101, people.

Answer 3

It is clearly racist, and as it does not refer to clients equally. If in practice a white person was not treated equally that would be unlawful, and the organisation could be prosecuted. Ethnicity is not a colour issue either which is a further display of ignorance.

I can understand why vulnerable peolple would wish to make a preference and I see nothing wrong with that.

This organisation is breaking charity commission rules if it is a charity.

Answer 4

Some of these policies I have heard of from other companies too actually serve to divide people further rather than trying to unite people.I think its a shame that in the UK people arent encouraged to learn the English Language more before they are allowed to live and work here as they do in most other countries.This helps to protect the migrants and those that live here and create a feeling of unity.When people cant speak the language it creates suspicions and unecessary divisions

Answer 5

Totally Totally Totally racist. Reverse the roles, and Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson would be all over your your place of business like flies on dog crap (provided of course there was big money involved. If it's just a Mom & Pop organization with very little money--- they wouldn't care at all). Will this type of lunacy continue? It will as long as liberals continue to be voted into office (Hillary, Obama, Edwards, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, any Kennedy, etc.) Choose your candidates wisely. The liberal lunacy can and WILL come to a grinding halt!

Answer 6

It's not the exact definition of racism, but pretty close. I personally wouldn't have a problem with a black or asian or whatever ethnicity helping me out, but there are people in this world that feel threatened or feel they would receive better treatment from an ethnic minority. You're company is simply covering their butts so they won't get sued. If they didn't have that little clause in the rules, they would jesse jackson, and al sharpton types all over them.

Answer 7

Sammie_7.... You say racism is disgusting? But yet in the same sentence you say that this is YOUR country and THEY should respect US? You must know nothing about history and you're also a hypocrite.

If you feel as if the policies wrong, take it up with someone of higher authority at your workplace.

Answer 8

That's strange, but not considered racism. Bias or discrimination, but not an act of racism. Instead of complaining here you need to address this with your supervisor.

Answer 9

This rule is wrong a number of levels. For one thing, it assumes that a whites are the problem in any working relationship. Second, it gives special rights to one class of client that are not guaranteed to all clients.

This isn't new, though. When was the last time you heard of White History Month, or were part of a Celebration of Diversity of your heteorsexuality? Is there a White Caucus in the congress? What about NAAWP? I understand that most of this is the result of historical fact...but I think that we have moved the pendulum a bit far the other direction in some cases. I hope that it will swing towards the middle soon.

Answer 10

That is a racist policy. It is discriminatory against a particular racial group, in this case caucasians. For some reason, people tend to ignore this type of out and out racism. I think it is WRONG! What's good for one group should the good for another. I hope your company has a good lawyer.

Answer 11

Yes we should all have equal rights and opportunities -
as in Universal Law of Human Rights

http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html