(no subject)

[pennywhistle]

I admit I have lived a relatively sheltered life. I grew up in an upper middle class two parent home, went to a private school, and worked in several nationally respected corporations. I haven't seen a lot of racism and bigotry firsthand in my life.

Working in a service position in a small town brings it right to you. There is an abundant amount of gay jokes made, and the "f" word is prominent. It disguts me, but I bite my tongue. I want to buy a rainbow bumper sticker for my car.

Yesterday another driver was regalling us all with the tale of how he spent a night in jail because of the terrible "n" word black folks downtown at Oktoberfest. He must have said the word 30 times. I felt like throwing up. I wanted to say something, but what. I left the room, shaking with anger. I was on the verge of tears. Another coworker came and stood with me. I may live in Cincinnati (which has some SPLENDID race relations itself), but I work in Amelia, a small, very hick town. There are no black people employed at my store. I've never delivered to a black person. I don't even think I've seen a black person while driving around. I can't suppose I can really blame my coworkers, if all they've ever lived in is Amelia, they've never really known people different from them. My own front row seat of the "Ignorance Breeds Hatred" show.

In a place such as P&G, where minorities, women, and homosexuals are treated with as much equality and respect as has ever been (note I do not say equally, the world isn't perfect YET), I suppose I had forgotten what the real world was like. While I was working at Avon, about 1998, I received a letter from corporate headquarters that they were going to start allowing domestic partner benefits. I was spoiled in the corporate world.

I just don't know what I can do.

Comments

[pixiepuff.livejournal.com]

I know! I hear SO MUCH of that at work. And I work in a hospital! It's so frustrating to go from a relatively tolerant environment to one where racial slurs are acceptable and people backstab all the time.
I've even had quite a few racist bosses.

WHY does that kind of ignorance still exist?

[nicci.livejournal.com]

being me, i'd say something. and i'd probably talk down to him with big words. but.. barring that.. =>

i'd slap a pride sticker on HIS car. *muahahaha!*

[mavra-chang.livejournal.com]

All the shit jobs I've ever worked at (Kroger, Goodwill, etc) display the same racial and sexual biases, both with the customers and the employees. Maybe next time you should say "Um......guess what?" next time someone makes a queer bashing comment.

Oh, and I happened to be introduced to someone you know from UC and Wombats who's going to OU now: Becca (AKA rivkah_rut on LJ). It's a small fuckin' world. (:

[malanai.livejournal.com]

Hey, cool! Becca's supernice. Are you still on the Wombats list?

[mavra-chang.livejournal.com]

I think I got kicked off.