Ethnic Assumptions in the Workplace
 

Maybe this should go under politics, but I wanted to put it where a lot of people would see it. It might be kinda long, so I apologize in advance.

I work in an office where I'm the only Black person. I'm also the only American, the only woman, and the only non-Christian, but those are different topics for different threads.

The CEO of the small start-up where I work is Chinese. He was educated in the US but he has limited experience with African Americans. Before he left on a business trip to Hawaii, I heard him talking to one of the partners on the phone. He said "When I come back you might not recognize me. I might be as dark as Sistermadly!" -- and I was sitting right there.

The other day, the subject of religion came up (I was dreading it). He asked me whether I'd found a church home in town, and I told him that while I had some ideas about God, that I don't like churches and church politics. He said "Oh, that's surprising. I would have assumed that a person from your group would be deeply religious. Isn't that usually the case?"

Now - I've learned to let a lot slide since moving up here from the US, mainly because there aren't that many of us (black folks) in this neck of the woods, so I really didn't think anything about it. However, when I told a few other people about it, they got really mad. What do you do when people make assumptions based on your race, religion, or gender in the workplace?

Humour is your best bet at deflecting mild things.

A lot of what you are talking about is an issue of manners. Or politeness. Its not polite to mention things in conversations that are going to make others upset.

However, the person in question may not know that such and such a comment will upset you.

And honestly, we are a little touchy in the USA when it comes to some stuff.

So you have to assess how much of the issue is your own sensitivity. Like should you be bothered? Is it a chip on your shoulder?

If someone with very olive skin and a tan was in the office and the chinese chap made the same comment about being tan and the other person, would that be offensive?

Anyway, for the things that do bother you its not a bad idea to role-play some semi humorous responses in advance to make the person think.

For example, when the guy said your kind. You might have smiled and asked, which kind? If he said black, you might have responded in a humorous tone with " You do realize that not all black people are the same don't you?"

I don't think your boss meant anything by it. If he has otherwise been polite and respectful towards you, I'd say it was innocent, if a bit misinformed. Maybe you ought to just say "Hey when you say things like that it makes me feel awkward. I know you may not realize it but I feel like I should tell you so that you know in the future." And then leave it at that. If he continues to say things like that, then maybe it's not so innocent.

co-sign.

I'd be willing to bet he didn't mean to be inappropriate, but I can understand how you felt. I'm sure if you mention it to him, he will realize he was out of line and apologize (if he is a decent guy and such)

Actually, I wasn't upset at all -- I knew his comments were innocent. It was other people who got angry. :)

My bad.. I assumed that YOU felt akwardly about it.. not upset.. I dunno.. sorry for that assumption!

:)

SisMad, People or Friggen Idiots! Oh, can you tell?

Upido are white in an Ergonomic work system.

Sorry, welcome to the real world.

Not being sarcastic, just worrying about you.

Ah got to just friggen love Racial Profiling and inbreading from your Race Religion and color!:o

Not for the work that you do!??????

Re: Ethnic Assumptions in the Workplace
 

It seems like just a lack of experience/knowledge... so I say educate him... politely (as you can muster cause I know you must be irritated when statements like this are made) and tell him the truth... maybe once hears that you are not religious (or whatever other assumptions he makes that are not true) he will learn that just becuase you are black doesn't mean you grew up singing in the choir. It doesn't seem like he's deliberately being hurtful, so just find ways to let him know that although you happen to be African American, you are also an individual.
This kind of stuff happens to me all the time although usually they are wrong on both fronts because they make wrong assumptions in the first place AND base those assumptions thinking I'm a race which I'm not.

OMG and you can sing too!:cool:

I have just become in love with a very neat Lady!:)

Trust me, I will never sing for You!

hell, I am da!:eek:

Can you sing for me???????:)

I know, I am a Bad Boy!:D

All of us belong to a minority group at one time or another. Generally not as prominant as a race thing, but were all a part of a group; the fat minority, the thin minority, christians, jews, muslims, gay, poor, educated, seperated/divorced parents, whatever.

People are always gonna have stereoytpes. You have to live your life in a way that shatters the common stereotype. You might be the only (fill in the blank) a person ever meets. Therefore you will represent your group to them. Its a lot of crap to put on a person, but thats just the way it is. So live your life to a higher standard in a way that would never give another person an opportunity to say something like, "Hes such a jew/fag/whitetrash" whatever.

Its all about education. Through knowledge and education, we have power. No one can ever take our power. We can give it up, but no one can ever take it.

Educate + teach + live = destruction of stereotypes.

Good luck. ;)

*edited for spelling

You're smart.

You're insightful.

You're a Lambda Chi.

I think I love you.

;)

:p

.....Kelly :)

Careful when trying to "educate" your boss. You may end up insulting him. Bosses have license to do that sometimes on some level. And if it's something you can put up with, I'd just let it be... go with the flow.

It would be different if he was a casual aquaintance -- but he's not, he's your boss. And unless you want to sue or something for discrimination/harassment (which it doesn't sound like you're even remotely close to that), maybe it's just something you could let slip by?

Sistermadly,
I've found that people from other countries don't have the same sensitivity toward race and other personal issues that we do. For instance, when I was in Spain, people would nickname the fat kid "gordo" or "gordito" or the skinny one "flaca". In fact, there is a popular TV talk show on the Spanish TV here in the US called el Gordo y la Flaca, staring a skinny woman and a fat man. They would call things like they were, or at least how they thought they were. They don't see talking about stereotypes as something to avoid, or something that you should take offense to. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, I would use these small times to educate your co-workers about how different Americans are. You can say things like, not all African Americans are religious, although they do portray us that way on TV. So they get the idea that you are unique, and not solely a product of the culture they think you are.


ETA-
he he, I re-read your post and I realized that I didn't answer your question at all. Whoops. Actually, I had a lot of people assume I was all for invading Afganistan (and the president I didn't vote for!) when I was in Spain. They thought I was stupid, conservative, and rich becasue I was American. At first I was embarassed that I gave off these vibes, but I realized later I had nothing to do with it, these people were making assumptions about me that had no backing in real life.

XOMichelle has an excellent point. Its almost like talking to someone in from our grandparents generation. They are much likelier to say it how it is, versus walking around in PC-Wrapped kid gloves.

If it really doesn't bother you as you say, just ignore it.

Dear NAVANE, lifesaver is a twit! But, He is My Brother!:D

He is a skinny little Kid (Oh A 30 Year Old Kid)!

Naw, just kidding, lifesaver is a Great Guy!:cool:

Are you not A A!;) :D

He is a hoot owl and calls late at night!:D

Luv Bro!:cool: