Cow-orker declares racisim & discrimination is *everywhere*!

[Skywatcher]

@kevja

I’m kind of amused by white people when they are confronted by the beliefs of your coworker. Instead of asking the person what their experiences have been, and why they feel that way, whites are ready to shout from the roof top how many blacks work for certain company, and Colin Powell is black, and Halley Barry won an Oscar, and I like black people, so there can’t be any more racism in the US. We never really try to understand why some people of color still belive racism exsists.

Maybe we should give them a chance to explain what they mean by comments such as “racism is everywhere,” instead of trying to convince them that they have no reason to feel the way they do.

At the same time, they shouldn’t be saying that because we’re not of their kind, we aren’t capable of understanding. Our conversation went downhill after that. This woman doesn’t strike me as being able to rationally discuss why she holds such an outlandish opinion.

[pizzabrat]

…did I miss something? What are you even discussing? There’s no argument to debate, she purposefully refused to make one. Can you not she that she was blowing you off? Her e-mail, translated to Obvious (and Man) stated “Who on Earth are you? I’m not going to discuss this with you in any way at all. I’ve read the article, I’ve stated my case, and I am outraged that someone like you would even question my authority on this subject! I hope you’re ashamed of your arrogance and audacity! Good bye.” The only “argument” she made ("Racism is everywhere) is so vague that you can’t even deny it. It’s like saying hatred is everywhere or germs are everywhere. Why are you taking this so seriously? Unless of course there was other discussion besides this empty e-mail exchange.

[Skywatcher]

@pizzabrat

…did I miss something? What are you even discussing? There’s no argument to debate, she purposefully refused to make one. Can you not she that she was blowing you off?

Yes, of course. Didn’t work very well, did it? Rudeness and idiodicy are not a good combination.

The only “argument” she made ("Racism is everywhere) is so vague that you can’t even deny it. It’s like saying hatred is everywhere or germs are everywhere. Why are you taking this so seriously?

Believe me, I’m not anymore. I posted it here because I thought Dopers would find it amusing. I wasn’t really taking it seriously at first either, not until the “don’t be in denial” bit. That says to me that she was being serious, at least about her belief. [sarcasm]How does she think she got her job? Some little winged Esther Rolle lookalike zapped a wand and “poof”?[/sarcasm]

[Skywatcher]

Oh yeah, this thread also serves another purpose: to blow off steam about my idiotic coworkers. I seem to be surronded by morons here.

[CanvasShoes]

@kevja

Yes, P’s argument is may be full of holes. I, like you, do not believe racism is EVERYWHERE. And, of course, not all white people are racist.

But I’m kind of amused by white people when they are confronted by the beliefs of your coworker. Instead of asking the person what their experiences have been, and why they feel that way, whites are ready to shout from the roof top how many blacks work for certain company, and Colin Powell is black, and Halley Barry won an Oscar, and I like black people, so there can’t be any more racism in the US. We never really try to understand why some people of color still belive racism exsists.

Maybe we should give them a chance to explain what they mean by comments such as “racism is everywhere,” instead of trying to convince them that they have no reason to feel the way they do.

Disagreeing that “racism is everywhere” does NOT then equal “there is no racism”. Nor does it mean that racism isn’t used as an excuse for bad behaviour on the parts of minorities.

Otherwise, I think your main point is an interesging one. Engaging the person to find out how and why they formed their misguided beliefs WOULD be a potentially beneficial way to handle the “racism is everywhere” whining.