Racist References/Remarks or Just Opinions?

[Deactivated] on 25/08/2017 - 08:29
Last edited 25/08/2017 - 08:55 by 1 other user

Hi all,

So I got this job at a concierge at one of the Government Departments. I have a manager along with two other staff working at the same place.

I am not an Australian but I am Muslim from a Muslim country, another workmate is an Indian. This lady at work, sits next to the manager who is also an Australian and is her friend too, discusses things with us and ends up with saying bad things about Asian countries, people, faiths and the cultures they follow. She also says she is not a racist but even during talks about travelling, cultures, work, education, health etc she says she brings up a negativity and tells us.

I agree that the country we are from are still struggling with basic necessities and people are not literate however, they those are educated they know office ethics very well, I have worked with both Christians and Hindus and we never made feel they are minority.

Education & Work

closed Comments

  • Cheapo Moose on 25/08/2017 - 11:53
    +7

    What exactly has been said?

    Examples….

  • Almost Banned on 25/08/2017 - 12:23

    Are these comments facts, or opinions?
    While facts can't be racist, that may not help your colleague if HR gets involved as even facts can be used to create a hostile work environment.
    If you are uncomfortable and in a Govt Dept I have no doubt there is a grievance mechanism.
    If you want to go down that path, contact HR.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2017 - 13:08

      I am not sensitive and i always agreed with the facts. But someone shouldn't bring up these things every day. I don't find her racist because i respect everyone's opinions but come'on man. Its disturbing sometimes when she leave me speechless. Maybe this is what she wants…

      • lookatthesizeofthat on 25/08/2017 - 23:43
        +2

        Well if you don't find her racist just get on with it mate. Easily offended me thinks.

  • psdillon on 25/08/2017 - 12:56

    It might be a great opportunity to re-educate your manager. If you can remain friendly, honest, and open in your communication, you could slowly but surely provide her with an alternate point of view. It can be quite hard, and since she is your manager it might be impossible.

    Also note that many people develop racist points of view due to genuine difficulties and aggression they've received. It doesn't make racism OK, however their experiences are real and shouldn't be dismissed. What's important is that they understand the damage that can be caused by over-generalisation and over-reaction.

    Making a complaint to HR will usually cause a lot of collateral damage. But it's your right to make the complaint.

  • Word on 25/08/2017 - 13:14

    Dispute.

  • TheBilly on 25/08/2017 - 13:28
    +6

    First thing is first:

    1. Yes these people are ignorant
    2. So what?
    3. You can't expect the world to change for your convenience
    4. You feel uncomfortable around their chatter because you are uncomfortable about your own culture and faith
    5. They feel strongly enough about their opinions, despite them not being socially acceptable
    6. But you don't feel the same about yours, so you can't defend it
    7. So why should they change their ignorant opinion for you?
    8. Just because some document or rule handed down by somebody somewhere says so?

    I am an Australian born individual with minority immigrant parents, and no way in hell will I change my opinions or morals for any person just because some rule says I have to or because a certain movement in society dictates what is right or wrong at the time.

    Unless somebody came up to me and presented something so convincing that I couldn't say no, otherwise I am going to be resolute in my opinion. So why should your colleagues change theirs? What have you presented otherwise?

    The best way to combat this is, first be proud of what you are. If you are Muslim, and they are speaking ill of Muslims in the work place. You shouldn't be cowering and hiding and scared of what they are saying and then coming on an internet forum to get peoples opinions on whether it is right or wrong.

    1. Invite them over for dinner
    2. Invite them to the Mosque
    3. Talk about your culture
    4. Bring some nice food into work and give it to them to try
    5. Go to a place they are comfortable with for lunch
    6. Ask about their family history or culture
    7. Show a genuine interest in them and also a genuine passion in explaining your own religion / culture
    8. Have a laugh or joke around
    9. Don't care so much about feelings, just be normal

    I have watched videos of this guy to learn about Muslims, because no Muslim I have met has ever explained anything to me about Islam. He makes some good points, you could probably learn from him.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CvEuiVKebU

    • ATD on 25/08/2017 - 14:22
      -1

      The OP isn't complaining about the woman talking against the OP's religious belief (not sure why that was mentioned as I can't see it being relevant to the issue/complaint and highly unlikely relevant to the Indian guy). The OP is complaining about someone making negative comments about "Asian countries".

      • TheBilly on 25/08/2017 - 14:31
        +1

        I agree … But the underlying thing here is that OP is uncomfortable with the strong race based opinions being expressed in the workplace around him/her.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2017 - 15:18
      +12

      Great details. But not every muslim is a practicing muslim. Means the faith is there but they do not practice the other little things. I am a muslim but i don't like the concept of wearing burkhas in a western country. Being from a muslim country where according to her other minorities and others are killed because of their religion and race, my entire family never wore a burkha and we dont give shit about what others think. Not every muslim country is the same. There are (profanity), criminals, rapists, religious freaks, vegans ( :p ), lgbt, pedos, good and nasty people every where in the world but they just look different.

      I dont goto work or get paid to represent my religon and culture at the work place to win hearts. All i need is a good working environment where I do not have to listen to such strange remarks and opinions.

      • TheBilly on 25/08/2017 - 15:46
        +5

        I get where you are coming from, what you are saying is a very fair statement and makes perfect sense in the perfect world. But the fact is that this world is not perfect. You are going to encounter so much good and bad.

        How can you just say you want to just sit there and expect things to just be good for you in your workplace because that is what you are owed.

        If you want a good working environment, and you don't currently have one, then unfortunately, you will have to put in extra hard work and make your environment good. The way I see it is you have these options;

        1. Report them - this won't end well for anyone
        2. Ignore them - This will just bother you until you quit
        3. Leave them - Not good obviously

        4. Engage in dialogue - Joke around etc this is better

        5. Enlighten them - Mate, enlightenment is the best way forward. Imagine if you brought them all a falafel or a baklava or that Indian dude made up a mean daal or butter chicken. How much better would that be? Or you told them about what Muslims are, and they realised you're not about to blow up.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2017 - 20:02
          +1

          Mate your comments are the best and making perfect sense. Appreciate your input!! I am from Pakistan, i might as well cook some xtra spicy tandoori for the old lady. Haha.

      • ATD on 25/08/2017 - 20:13
        +8

        Its quite reflective of your prejudices when you put LGBT's into the same category of criminals, rapists and pedos.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2017 - 20:16
          -1

          Don't worry about it.

        • TheBilly on 25/08/2017 - 20:48
          +1

          Good and nasty people also (-_-)

        • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2017 - 21:22
          -1

          @TheBilly: no offence to them.

      • H_J on 25/08/2017 - 20:24

        A not practicing Muslim is not a Muslim, the person is only born to a Muslim family, you are free to be a atheist in Australia.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2017 - 21:18
          +1

          Preaching? Informing? Educating? What are you trying to achieve here? Lol

      • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 09:35
        +7

        I am a vegan but not a practicing vegan. Means the intention to not consume animal products is there. I am a vegan but I don't like the concept of boasting about the benefits of soy. Being from a hipster country, where according to my family, meat eaters are shamed and never allowed to dine in peace, my entire family has never consumed quinoa and don't care what other vegans think. Not every vegan drum circle is the same. There are criminals, rapists, paleo diet fads, Muslims ( :P ), lgbt, pedos, good and nasty people regardless of their favourite food groups.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 09:37

          Bravo.

    • dealhunting007 on 27/08/2017 - 12:10

      Spot on TheBilly. Nouman Ali Khan is amazing scholar and have great way or explaining things.

      Most of the time it's misunderstanding or way to express than being racism.

  • wengerboy on 25/08/2017 - 21:42
    +3

    Australians in general deny racism. I would just tell them that's inappropriate, usually that makes it stop because workplaces are really strict about these things.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 10:43

      Australians in general deny sarcasm. I wood just tell them that's annoying, usually that makes it stop because workplaces have a stick up their arse about these things.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2017 - 22:07
    +1

    Work is work, do what you gotta do to survive

  • belongsinforums on 25/08/2017 - 22:30

    Report back with quotes OP. You're leaving us hanging here

  • spychiatrist on 25/08/2017 - 22:35
    +2

    Everyone's sensitive these days. I blame the media. Has anyone seen Seinfeld? The jokes in that show will be considered inappropriate today. What's changed since then?

    • Krizy on 26/08/2017 - 01:56
      +1

      I don't think I've once seen a Seinfeld skit that was remotely racist, sexist or homophobic. The main characters are all just intensely awkward and it's always the side characters that get confused or offended but it's usually because of some bizarre behaviour. It's all cringe. Outside of the show Jerry Seinfeld is intensely anti-PC because someone didn't like one of his jokes, but that happened long after the show had ended.

  • lookatthesizeofthat on 25/08/2017 - 23:27
    +4

    "ends up with saying bad things about Asian countries, people, faiths and the cultures they follow"

    There are bad things in all countries, that doesn't make somebody racist for pointing them out. Sounds like we have another victim on our hands that is offended by other peoples opinions. Find a safe space and a puppy dog, problem solved.

    • KMeister on 26/08/2017 - 07:52
      -1

      Yes, you're entitled to your opinion, but your workplace is not where you want to vent your inner fears and opinions.

      • lookatthesizeofthat on 26/08/2017 - 09:21
        +1

        The real world doesn't work like this chum, it's called survival of the fittest for a reason.

        • KMeister on 26/08/2017 - 09:35

          This is exactly how it works unless your working environment is drastically different to mine, chum.

        • MrTweek on 26/08/2017 - 16:14
          +1

          it's called survival of the fittest for a reason

          That's not workplace behaviour, it's called evolution. Completely different thing. You are mixing things up here.

        • lookatthesizeofthat on 26/08/2017 - 17:14

          @MrTweek: You raise an interesting point, having said that some of Darwin's work is debatable.

    • Splatzzz on 26/08/2017 - 23:52

      I'd argue having nothing GOOD to say about a group of people is pretty indicative of generalising/disliking said group. If a group of people actually had nothing going for them, then said society would have starved or been overridden already, ala 'survival of the fittest'.

      And sounds like you are pissed about something. The aggression towards someone on the internet with cut/paste safe space bullshit? Want to call the OP a 'cuck' while you are at it? xD
      And the use of 'we', reveals ya need to sustain your views in a group context (amongst other stuff). Interesting

  • eneloop on 25/08/2017 - 23:40
    +2

    Shane Warne is my hero

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 00:19
      +1

      Energizer over eneloop anytime of the day.

      • Htu08 on 26/08/2017 - 06:43
        -1

        What?

  • idonotknowwhy on 26/08/2017 - 00:20
    +7

    Nah, it's all good as long as she prefixes it with "I'm not racist, but"

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 09:48

      Lol top comment.

  • banana365 on 26/08/2017 - 00:25
    +2

    Ask her "Why do you think that?", "Is that your experience of the situation?" and "What do you base that on?". Be nice about it, sound genuinely interested and keep at it. Imagine you're an inquisitive small child endlessly asking "But why dad?" in your quest for ever greater detail.

    If you can get people to try to justify their beliefs, they may eventually realise that they struggle to do so and their beliefs are just baseless prejudices. It may not change those beliefs, but it may stop them from sharing them with others if they realise it makes them look foolish.

    • ChupaCabra on 26/08/2017 - 17:47

      Or they may have actual experiences that really hurt them in the past. It will be harder to swing them round if they do. Eg family member murdered by a certain group

  • hedonistic on 26/08/2017 - 00:53
    +4

    Anyone who says "im not racist" is probably a racist

    • Wallyt99 on 26/08/2017 - 01:45
      -1

      I'm not gonna say Donald Trump would say that. But Trump said it absolutely.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 09:42

      I am an equal opportunity racist. Even racist are prejudiced against me.

  • userid007 on 26/08/2017 - 06:59
    +2

    Mate , There will be always people with different opinions and some of them have strong opinions.

    I have worked in USA, Europe , Asia before settling down in Australia (such a beautiful country and nice people ) .

    One thing that separates Australia rest of the English world is that here people are frank(some times bloody honest ) and have dark humour.

    I would say I have faced actual racism in Middle east and Asian countries (even though I am Asian ) i.e treating you differently because of your skin colour or faith.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 09:42

      Humor is a thing that i find enjoyable. Anyway shes a bogan who doesn't knkw jack sh#t about office etiquettes.

      • PVA on 26/08/2017 - 09:49
        +9

        That's a bit crook, calling her a bogan.
        careful you're not a kettle calling the pot black.

    • demiurge on 26/08/2017 - 23:52

      LOL the Chinese are extremely racist, they even discriminate based on the city you are born in let alone the colour of your skin. It's no big deal :)

      • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2017 - 03:29

        Dumplings tastes good though.

  • grabngo on 26/08/2017 - 07:31
    -2

    Spend $30 and buy a voice recorder.
    Keep it running all day for a week.
    Problem solved
    Be a dibber dobber and the truth shall prevail

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 09:40

      Truth shalt prevail.

  • lesleigh on 26/08/2017 - 08:20
    +3

    The problem is some people are arses and set in their prejudices .Have never traveled and seen how other people live their lives .The this is the best country and we are the best people our way of life so superior mentality can be very annoying.but that's ignorance for you , as was said agree .ignore. .tell them hey are wrong. or put in a complaint.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 09:11

    It's your workplace and your life ,sort it out
    Life can be hard ,and some can make it harder
    But it's a free country ,
    and you can find another job,
    then tell the old quack where to stick here opinions,
    if you feel so inclined
    Good luck mate

  • Plug on 26/08/2017 - 09:19
    +2

    Australians tend to take things as they are and to and to say things as they see them. It's not racist, just the Aussie "no bullshit" way. Also bear in mind almost every Aussie will call out racism if they see it as it's un-Australian.

  • phr0 on 26/08/2017 - 09:20
    +4

    Stop worrying about who's racist. Focus on yourself first.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/324817

  • Seraphin7 on 26/08/2017 - 09:24
    +8

    To point out that a country is struggling with necessities and has a low literacy rate (per your OP) is an objective statement. Is this what passes for racism these days?

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 09:52
      -2

      Its like you were born with Autism and someone is telling you that you are worthless and burden. Now, you have to have be in their shoe to understand what it means when other say BS about your condition. (Just an example)

      • Ughhh on 26/08/2017 - 10:52
        +4

        Not the same, so far off.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 09:50
    +3

    Racists tend to say that they are not racist. You don't need to ask us whether or not she is being racist. If she's making you fell uncomfortable about your culture or skin colour, then yes she's being racist.

    Racists also tend to bag out countries that have been colonized by west or have been invaded by imperialist USA, without recognizing the damage that the invaders have done to the culture and laws of these countries. For example, most people tend not to realise that in most places where homosexuality is illegal, that it was western invaders who wrote those laws, who introduced those idea to these countries.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 11:08

      I prefer to see a rich vs poor world or workers vs privileged
      If life were fair their would be no inheritance , just start from 0 and make it yourself
      And no borders for the horders

  • AJW on 26/08/2017 - 10:18
    -1

    Differences of opinion and our own sensitivity to racism/sexism/discrimination issues are defined by our personal experiences and upbringing. Being muslim I can see how uncomfortable this sort of talk would make you, so maybe you need to bring this up with them. Maybe if we spoke up at the time it would stop it happening in the future

    On Thursday I had centrelink debt collectors ring me, and then spent 15mins setting up a direct debit repayment* but when agreeing to their recorded terms, the woman put me into redirect & hold hell - another 15mins after which I hung up. They rang back next day and after finally completing the process I mentioned the previous days problems, and the young girl (different operator) says to me "the computers were spazzing out yesterday".

    I'm a parent and carer of a child with special needs, and i hung up biting my lip…in hindsight if I had said I found that offensive and if I had explained why she probably would never use the term again. In reality I thought I should sue you assholes, or take to social media, you record every call…wonder if they would cover my debt? lol

    *overpaid carer allowance 9 years ago for 4 years, not paid correct allowance, cannot back-claim the correct allowance we were entitled to, we now owe $12k. Centrelink arranged all allowances when we moved interstate to wait for a transplant, but we accepted the money so the debt is ours. onya bureaucrats !

    • stumo on 26/08/2017 - 11:38
      +4

      And yet the term "spastic" was perfectly acceptable not so long ago. Now even "mentally challenged" isn't good enough. Its now "exceptional", until that is deemed inappropriate at some point in future. Where does it end?

      • lookatthesizeofthat on 26/08/2017 - 12:52
        +2

        It never ends and that's the whole problem!

        • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2017 - 10:13

          Releasing that our negative language portrays the people in our society we care for least, we should work on caring more. The problem is that we don't care enough, crying instead about censorship or pc language or feminism.

      • AJW on 27/08/2017 - 12:09

        It doesn't end, thats the whole point, it CHANGES over time and we have to change too

  • everypenny on 26/08/2017 - 10:45

    I would just ignore her and get on with my job. U cant change attitude of a racist no matter how hard u try

  • Peck on 26/08/2017 - 11:04
    +4

    Show me a country / people who are not racist to at least a small degree. A lot of asian countries they are even racist against their own countrymen. (Lower caste, dark skin vs white, city people vs country people etc etc)

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 16:45
      +1

      Racist.. Or culturist… Is that even a word?

  • The Wololo Wombat on 26/08/2017 - 11:06

    Culture ≠ Race

    P.S. If you are an Australian citizen, you are an Aussie! Welcome mate :)

  • Candour on 26/08/2017 - 11:06
    +4

    strangely, when I was born in a multicultural country with different races and religions, we were equal. after independence an unnamed race and religion started oppressing others who were different. I retired back home as it is much cheaper to live there but found it so oppressive to other races and religions that I had to return here even if it is hard to manage on a pension here.

    this unnamed religion has worse histories in other less 'moderate' countries. Maybe the other staffer suffered in this way. This does not justify her bad manners.

    I am sure you are an enlightened person who has never experienced such things in your country and have spoken out against oppression there. If so you have the right to expect bad practices here to cease immediately as you have the high moral ground.
    Others have chimed in with various views. racism exists in various forms in various places, except maybe the country you came from. You may adopt some of the well meaning advice others wiser than me have proffered on site. Many people have hidden agendas. There are closet racialists around. At some point you have to make your peace with the environment and country you adopt.

    • Peck on 26/08/2017 - 11:29
      +4

      Good info Peccadilloes. But it is a shame that you, and most of us, cannot be more specific for fear of being called a racist.

      • Candour on 26/08/2017 - 12:21
        +4

        and now for something completely different:-
        I have been pilloried for speaking my mind on ozB as well on other topics. So I ventured into this moral minefield with trepidation. It would be interesting to know where our poster came from. Western journalism ignores blatant human rights violations in the 3rd world. we also tend to swallow the self interested platitudes spoken by politicians and businessmen who are interested in the money benefits of ignoring such abuses. many such countries also refuse to sign the human rights convention of the UN. Not that we enforce it well.

        On an intelligent paper I noted this closer to home:-
        https://theconversation.com/fair-game-the-audacity-of-heriti…

        it is worth a read.

  • Ahbal on 26/08/2017 - 11:19
    +7

    Bringing up negativity about other nations is not racism. Racism is putting a race beneath yours (e.g Saying Race A is inferior to Race B). People are far too eager to call everything they disagree with racism, sexism etc when it is not. Secondly, if your workplace friend was "racist" they would likely not have conversations with you about such things and be so open about their negative views on them. Furter, from you description, this colleague has not vilified you or your culture in any way correct? If not, I don't see a problem.

  • Rochie on 26/08/2017 - 11:34
    +1

    I am a little dumbfounded at the amount of people saying report to HR immediately. It is difficult to judge the case with the information provided. I mentioned in a previous comment that some Australians can unknowingly be insensitive at times, due to the tongue in cheek nature of Australian humour. Don't get me wrong, sometimes people may know what they're doing but in many cases it is unknowingly. First step is to always confront the person in question. Something as simple as letting them know you don't appreciate certain things. If they are unintentionally doing it, they will likely understand and make an effort to change their nature of conversations with you. If they straight up ignore what you say, then I would raise the concern higher to a supervisor before HR. Escalating directly to HR departments can often cause more conflict in the workplace.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2017 - 03:35

      Reporting to HR is nothing but an unprofessional suggestion.

  • centrelink on 26/08/2017 - 11:49
    +5

    When you say Australian do you mean a white person? I'm Australian with Asian ethnicy and I crap on Asians all the time.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 12:30

      Taking self racist anti racism to the next level.

      Take a dump on your kin. (Your colloquialism was a little off the mark).

      • centrelink on 26/08/2017 - 13:46

        …. What?

        • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 16:43

          Centerlink.. That user name! Lmao.

    • bobbified on 26/08/2017 - 19:19
      +1

      I'm asian and I do the same! haha. Some of the things that us asians do….

      But my non-asian mates know that they're not allowed to say what I say because if anyone hear else hears it, they'll be called racists! Doesn't mean they don't think it though!

      • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2017 - 06:11

        I love the TV show If You Are The One, but wow is it un-PC. One contestant says 'Even though he is dark skinned, he's actually pretty relaxed' and the next will reject a candidate for having eyes described as small Korean eyes. Another will reject a suitor for being foreign alone. It's interesting that it's shown on SBS, the multi-cultural channel, as it generally has a couple of racist moments each episode.

  • trevor99 on 26/08/2017 - 13:27
    +3

    So someone may have said something somewhere, with no details and no evidence provided.
    The political correctness effect then kicks in, and armies of vigilanties appear to claim virtue.
    How about confronting some real issues as there are many in the world.
    Some facts to get you started:

    • Sexism: Women not allowed to drive in Moslem Saudi Arabia.
    • Sexism: Women must be covered up and oppressed all over the Muslim world
    • Gays are beheaded in Moslem countries like Saudi Arabia, jailed and oppressed elsewhere.
    • Genital mutilation of women is standard practice in African Moslem countries.
    • Muslim terrorists hate you and want to kill you and are doing so more and more regularly using knives, guns ,cars, trucks whatever they can use. These terrorists are randomly drawn from anywhere in any Muslim population westernised or not.

    Politcal correctness is literally insane.

    • Splatzzz on 27/08/2017 - 01:30

      Bit of a one track world issues list. What about Cartels in America, Famine in North-East Africa, Conflict in Ukraine, rounding up of gays in Chechnya. All events that individual might kill more people than Muslim Extremism in the Western World. (Actually, the Cartels have easily and the famine likely has). Or, the most harmful foreign terrorist organisation ever, the IRA with 50,000 casualties……

      Hell, the above is all small fish. Drug overdoses kill 60,000 Americans every year. The majority of this is Prescription Drugs, majority of that Opioids. Where is the call out of Big Pharma in World Issues?
      What about Australia's Ice Epidemic?
      100s if not 1000s of families have lost someone to Ice, Domestic Violence or Suicide for every one that has lost someone to Muslim Extremism. Do Muslim issues really deserve so much global ire? Isn't it distraction politics while obesity, drugs, booze and smokes knock us off hundreds at a time?

      Look, I'm just being the voice of perspective. Everything you said is right. Countries have shocking laws (I boycott their airlines). There are groups of people out there who want to kill me, and they purport to be Muslim.
      But I also know Muslims who hug me when we catch up and give more shits about women's empowerment than most of our government. Their past countries might be able to put them through physical punishment for things these friends have chosen to do since moving to Australia, and that is (profanity). But they are Muslim. And they dont holiday to Africa to commit FGM.
      I cant see an impoverished army half a world away, who is being bombed by our military, and sleeper agents being watched by the finest intelligence services in the world, as more of a threat to my family than a world power of an organisation with a military grade logistics system and psychological warfare department, led by a clown whose entire existence is to destroy our health haha

      Also, where in buggery did you pick up "Moslem" from? Word of advice, it is not grammatical or anything, just the early 20th Century spelling of "Muslim"… from calling out political correctness, gonna assume you wernt born in 1912 hahaha

    • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2017 - 03:42

      Heres some info from the biggest Muslim country. The USA.

      In 2014, the FBI reported that 20.8% of hate crimes reported to police in 2013 was founded on perceived sexual orientation. 61% of those attacks were against gay men.[3] Additionally, 0.5% of all hate crimes were based on perceived gender identity. In 2004, the FBI reported that 14% of hate crimes due to perceived sexual orientation was against lesbians, 2% against heterosexuals and 1% against bisexuals.[4]

      The FBI reported that for 2006, hate crimes against gay people increased from 14% to 16% in 2005, as percentage of total documented hate crimes across the U.S.[5] The 2006 annual report, released on November 19, 2007, also said that hate crimes based on sexual orientation are the third most common type, behind race and religion.[5] In 2008, 17.6% of hate crimes were based on the victim's perceived sexual orientation. Of those crimes, 72.23% were violent in nature. 4,704 crimes were committed due to racial bias and 1,617 were committed due to sexual orientation. Of these, only one murder and one forcible rape were committed due to racial bias, whereas five murders and six rapes were committed based on sexual orientation.[6]

      Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Jay Boyarsky attributed a surge in anti-gay hate crimes, from 3 in 2007 to 14 in 2008, to controversy over Proposition 8. However, the DDA cautioned against reading too much from small statistical samples, pointing out that the vast majority of hate incidents do not get referred to the District Attorney's office.[7]

      In 2011, the FBI reported 1,572 hate crime victims targeted based on a sexual orientation bias, making up 20.4% of the total hate crimes for that year. Of the total victims, 56.7% were targeted based on anti-male homosexual bias, 29.6% were targeted based on anti-homosexual bias, and 11.1% were targeted based on anti-female homosexual bias

    • [Deactivated] on 27/08/2017 - 03:53

      "Sexism: Women not allowed to drive in Moslem Saudi Arabia."

      I am from a Muslims country and women in my family drive. It could be there govt thing and has nothing to do with religion i guess.

      "Sexism: Women must be covered up and oppressed all over the Muslim world"

      Ture. Some countries and some parts and regions of some countries are conservatives but thats not the story everywhere.

      Gays are beheaded in Moslem countries like Saudi Arabia, jailed and oppressed elsewhere.

      Google violence against Gay in Amercia.

      Genital mutilation of women is standard practice in African Moslem countries.

      Yup thats stupid.

      "Muslim terrorists hate you and want to kill you and are doing so more and more regularly using knives, guns ,cars, trucks whatever they can use. These terrorists are randomly drawn from anywhere in any Muslim population westernised or not"

      In Pakistan school attack, Taliban terrorists kill 145, mostly children. So muslim terrorists are killing muslims too? There are millions of muslims around the globe if every one is a terrorist (that you probably believe) picks up an object and kills "infidels" there would be no one left in the world but muslims. But tthat never happened and will never happen because terrorists are the group's we hate too. Why the heck in their right would want to associate with them.

  • amaslam on 26/08/2017 - 13:40
    +1

    OK, we really need examples here.

    There are two sets of answers:
    1. She is using remarks such as 'your kind', 'all these X(insert ethnicity) are so bad'). Context of conversation, were you discussing something you saw on the news? Or does she just come by and start it that way?
    2. Take a look at some policies about workplace bullying or safe workplace or comfortable workplace. Maybe there is a breach but think it through. In most instances do have a one-one: 'This is making me a bit uncomfortable chat'. If it then becomes more pointed or stronger then it probably breaches a policy and HR needs to be involved.
    3. What might be normal banter to an Aussie might be setting of a 'racism filter', you also have a bias you need to be aware of. If it was an Aussie India cricket match and there was something like "Those damn Indians, sneaky bastards" might easily fall into banter. On the other hand if nothing like that was remotely being discussed then point 1 and 2 above.

    Keep Calm and not Jump.

    Also regardless if you are a visitor, contractor, permie, high up, not high up you do need a comfortable workplace to be in. It's not a special privilege for some and not all.

  • edskii on 26/08/2017 - 14:06
    +2

    Fight fire with fire
    Bring leftover curry for lunch and heat up in the microwave for 5 minutes before everyone else.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 16:42
      +1

      Hahahahahahahah. Curry bonanza.

  • UFO on 26/08/2017 - 16:06
    +1

    Sigh….

    Sticks and Stones anybody?

    Like seriously, I'm a first generation Australian and I honestly don't give two cents worth of worry if someone is being derogatory to 'my kind'.
    It's different if the verbal diatribe is directed at you, but general comments are just that.

    There's a great stand up routine circulating on Facebook about "being offended". News tip, nothing happens when you're offended. Nothing. Your feelings are hurt, but that's it.

    Either take it on the chin, or offer some other comebacks. If their comments are so offensive and so obviously untrue, then do the same back… or don't. Up to you.

    This world has become so 'politically correct' that everyone is afraid to say "boo" in case it offends some minority here or there.
    As long as the hate is not directed at a specific person to intimidate them, then who cares.

    If someone calls me something I'm not happy with, they will know about it (I don't condone violence in case takes the comment that way). But if its uneducated gibberish and there's no chance of them changing their tune, either start playing your tune louder, or get them to turn theirs down.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2017 - 16:46
    +1

    I would like to add another perspective here. I have a workmate who utters all kinds of abuse and racist slurs but is of good heart and his actions never discriminate and affect anyone negatively and also I have this another workmate who does not utter racist slurs and abuse but is of malicious intent and extremely discriminatory through actions she literally talks to people of different race and nationalities differently like if you are from the third world then she would snap off and talk disrespectfully. Sometimes it helps to know the person and how they behave than just the words they utter.

  • ChupaCabra on 26/08/2017 - 17:32
    +2

    Is this serious? This happens in most countries around the world. If you were in Japan there are many places you wont be allowed in as a foreigner. I dont think we would ever reach that point but definitely political correctness has gone too far here and needs to be wound back a little. If she isnt insulting you or in your face, then theres a saying you should go by 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me'. We are all lucky to be in a country so tolerant of different cultures/immigrants.

  • sraven373 on 26/08/2017 - 18:14
    +1

    Sounds like she just has opinions, which is fine
    If she's treating you poorly or others due to your race, colour of your skin etc.. that's racism
    If on the other hand she believes Islam is a harmful ideology, she's entitled to that opinion
    Without further information no one can tell you whether they believe it to be racism or not

  • bobbified on 26/08/2017 - 18:57
    +3

    Why does everyone seem so sensitive nowadays? If one person finds something offensive, it "should be banned".

    We can't continue to ban things because a few people find it offensive.

    I'm seriously so sick of this stuff. Someone always has a way of taking certain comments personally and making it seem like it's a direct attack on themselves. Whether you know it or not, I have no doubt we're all guilty of generalisations based on our own experiences.

    If I told you that the taxi driver I had this morning stunk, what's the first thing you'd think? Yes, that's a generalisation right there! And not saying it out loud doesn't mean that you're not thinking it.

    Eventually, we're not going to be allowed to have individual opinions on anything!

    For eg, I personally don't care about same-sex marriage, but if I (or anyone else for that matter) was to say in the office that I am against it, I have no doubt I'd be marched up to the HR office in no time for "being homophobic"!

    I'm expecting to have the hell negged out of me for this, but seriously, grow some thicker skin! People are going to have opinions. Sometimes they agree with you and sometimes they don't. Someone not agreeing with you doesn't mean that they're wrong. How do people who get offended so easily even get by in the great big world outside? There's no HR department to cry to out there!

    • lookatthesizeofthat on 26/08/2017 - 22:30

      What did the taxi driver smell of, lol. I'm selective when booking my UBER driver these days.

      • bobbified on 26/08/2017 - 23:13

        Haha.. I think 90% of the people here know exactly what I'm referring to, but let's see if anyone wants to come out and actually say it! :P

  • scynaz on 26/08/2017 - 19:21
    +3

    Look since you haven't mentioned a single specific thing she said, I have to try and guess. But some practical advice:

    1) Commentsabout reporting to HR are silly, at least not without knowing specifics of what she said.

    2) your goal is to as far as posible, work smoothly with someone. Remember, it's not your goal or your problem to fix the ignorance of people you work with. Equally, it's not part of your job to have to have to stand by and listen to someone mouth off. Most people who are ignorant and also oblivious, but can be embarrassed to have things pointed out. But you have to point it out in a way where they feel embarrassed - polite, firm. e.g. "I understand you have your views concerns and complaints about certain countries. But I am not here as a representative to hear your complaints, please take them elsewhere." Also, while someone on a temp. visa is not obliged to listen to crap any more than you are, if you ar a citizen, totally use that fact, "I am an Australian, if you have a problem with other countries, please bring it up with them."

    Do NOT under any circumstances get into a "bad things 'my' people did vs bad things 'your' people did" kind of argument.
    Not ever in life preferably, certainly NEVER at work.

    Don't ever call anyone a racist to their face. Nothing to do with whether it's true or not. Think of it this way - will calling someone a racist to their face ever lead to a net positive outcome for you?

    It's hard to give specific advice without knowing exactly what they said, but:

    • Stuff like "would you let your daughter date a white guy" -> polite none of your business reply e.g. "Sorry I have a rule - I don't discuss my family life at work."

    • Stuff like "why does your country do X to women" -> use above 'take it up with them not me' response.

    • Stuff like "I can't stand muslims", "I can't believe they allow mosques to be built here", "I can't believe they let people from Pakistan in" etc. -> take it to HR.

  • chocoteddy on 26/08/2017 - 20:15
    +2

    If you feel brave - the next time she does it just tell her it's not okay (softly, calmly and in person). Communication is key. Stop assuming she'd have the worst reaction ever. Maybe she will over-react who knows, but you owe it to yourself to not judge her before she proves herself; otherwise you're no different from her after all.

    If you want security - the next time she tells it with people around, tell everyone it's not okay. The important part is to tell "everyone" it's not okay and to not make it a personal attack so he/she can't corner you. It gets the message one fell swoop to the entire board as well.

    If you feel zen - as taylor swift once said, haters gonna hate. You have much better things to do with your time/life so just let it go. Words can't hurt no one. Her ignorance will hurt her one day though.

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