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Racism / Stereotype display in the workplace- confronting...
6 years ago
General
I've worked at the same place since 2012. In that time I've made some acquaintances with my colleagues to at least be on friendly speaking terms more than just the co-worker chat. Folks know I'm Native American simply because we've talked on more friendly terms, and someone once asked. Being honest I said yes when asked. Otherwise I would not have shared such info. No, I don't claim to have a Cherokee grandmother ;) My father was Lenni Lenape, as was his grandmother. My grandfather was from a different New England area tribe farther back.
Yesterday in a team meeting, a supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs team thought it was a good idea to share the 'tomahawk chop' mockery display in front of me, and the team. Said person is one of the acquaintances mentioned earlier.
He's told me before he had a Cherokee grandmother and I remain skeptical - why is it with some people who want to claim Native ancestry they had to have a Cherokee grandmother? but I digress.
He saw me looking at him as he was doing the chop motion, and actually saying the words "tomahawk chop", then proceeded to say "Well as you know I'm Indian too and I like this" in his own defense. My boss said "Well it all depends upon intent".
I'm sure they would not say that if I mocked African American culture (which of course I would never do - I respect all cultures), so why is it everyone feels that they can get away with mocking Native American culture with impunity but all others are protected? Makes my blood boil.
I did run across this article, which pretty much sums it up - I'll share a copy with my boss and team.
Asserting Cultural Sovereignty -> http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=3&psid=731
Anyway there's the story. I'm looking for advice on how to educate them that doing such things is hurtful and offensive, and just continues to promote racist stereotypes. I'll be talking to my manager (who was present BTW and did nothing to curb what was happening) on Monday, and I'd like to have some things to share with her, and perhaps the rest of the team.
Turn it into a teachable moment for them to hopefully curb such things going forward, especially if we get a new hire to the team who is also Native American. I don't want them to feel as uncomfortable in the team I work with as I have been made to feel.
Yesterday in a team meeting, a supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs team thought it was a good idea to share the 'tomahawk chop' mockery display in front of me, and the team. Said person is one of the acquaintances mentioned earlier.
He's told me before he had a Cherokee grandmother and I remain skeptical - why is it with some people who want to claim Native ancestry they had to have a Cherokee grandmother? but I digress.
He saw me looking at him as he was doing the chop motion, and actually saying the words "tomahawk chop", then proceeded to say "Well as you know I'm Indian too and I like this" in his own defense. My boss said "Well it all depends upon intent".
I'm sure they would not say that if I mocked African American culture (which of course I would never do - I respect all cultures), so why is it everyone feels that they can get away with mocking Native American culture with impunity but all others are protected? Makes my blood boil.
I did run across this article, which pretty much sums it up - I'll share a copy with my boss and team.
Asserting Cultural Sovereignty -> http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtid=3&psid=731
Anyway there's the story. I'm looking for advice on how to educate them that doing such things is hurtful and offensive, and just continues to promote racist stereotypes. I'll be talking to my manager (who was present BTW and did nothing to curb what was happening) on Monday, and I'd like to have some things to share with her, and perhaps the rest of the team.
Turn it into a teachable moment for them to hopefully curb such things going forward, especially if we get a new hire to the team who is also Native American. I don't want them to feel as uncomfortable in the team I work with as I have been made to feel.
The chat with the boss is already on the books, and I dug up an article or two that back Native Opinion against racism and stereotyped displays. Going the attorney route, especially against a state employer as large as mine, would likely only result in my separation from said job, plus I don't have the money to afford an attorney.
My hope is that anything I discuss with my boss will not make it worse for others who may join the department.
I wish you the best of luck in your workplace, nikaan. It is an uphill battle every day, but hopefully worth the effort in the long run. Education is the key to chipping away at this historical ignorance.