Comments on: What’s the Best Response to Racist Jokes and Ethnic Slurs in the Workplace?

By: Donna

Donna — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:18:24 +0000

For the first time in my life I actually interrupted a co-worker for ranting on about “fxxxing pakis” infront of me and our boss.
I was offended and told him so, however he just went on to say that a woman only serves two roles; cooking and “spreading her legs”.

Perhaps the conversation was too little too late, I had many instances of insubordination from the co-worker infront of other colleages and even my boss, however nothing was said. It was always tolerated.

It seems as if people have no idea how to conduct themselves in the work place, they just rant on until it suits them to go home. If you speak out you are seen as some up tight PC type. If you say nothing you are a jolly good team player.

I say speak out if it bothers you and document it. If a boss is present put it in writing anyway.

The boss could be part of the problem and will deny everything if things turn ugly and you, the complainer will be seen as the bad guy.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:08:10 +0000

I’m dealing with this now…I work in a very small Family owned company.
The owner (who proclaims very loudly) about being a christian often uses the “N” word in jokes and just general conversation…Other races,
sexual orientation, etc. are also fair game. Although I am not of the race that is being discriminated against, I am very offended by the racial overtones in the conversation. Not only does the person own the company but he is someone that never admits to doing anything wrong. So I am unsure how to handle the situation. I have spoken to them regarding other items only to be told that “You are the only person who is having a problem with this.” I need help dealing with this matter

By: Poor Lucky Me

Poor Lucky Me — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:29:50 +0000

Usually, I put my hands next to my mouth, megaphone style, and say “laaaaaaaame joooooooooooooke”

By: Melanie

Melanie — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:44:08 +0000

Justin–don’t think I didn’t think about it! I definitely took a moment to consider my options: clock him, call him out, leave without saying anything, or demand that he be removed from the comedy writing proceedings (which I probably could have gotten away with because I was much more involved with the other people there than he was). The 5-pager on Ezra Pound I had to write definitely figured into the storming out calculus…but to this day, I’m glad I said something before I left.

By: justinparks

justinparks — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:22:09 +0000

Agreed. See, ifs it funny laugh,if not though I wouldn't storm away, especially with that sad effort of a “joke”. Christ, even calling that inane attempt at humor a joke is an affront to all things funny.

I wonder if he would have laughed had you clocked him one in the mouth. Now, you see, that would have been funny and even had he called assault you could call racism, which is worse?

By: sethsimonds

sethsimonds — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:13:47 +0000

Yeah, that's not funny. Goes with the group of "your mama" jokes and the
people who enjoy telling those.
I tend to laugh at jokes that make witty plays on stereotypes.

There are a lot of jokes out there that don't rely on crushing a specific
group of people in order to make a point. Those are the best ones!

By: tigermelp

tigermelp — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:48:09 +0000

Good question! I've been pretty lucky so far…not only is the federal gov't full of people who always err on the side of being pc (at least in terms of race), but it's also full of people who _know_ that they have no business trying to be funny, and therefore don't even try.

I always find it amusing when people make racial comments/jokes in front of me, as I am mixed, and it is often difficult (if not impossible) for most people to know exactly what I am. I do tend to laugh if the joke is funny…I like funny! Only once in my memory have I ever called someone out for being un-funnily racist. The “joke” was basically the equivalent of, “Haha, Professor West is black so he sucks at academics.” Uhh…right. I don't think the guy who said it had any idea that I am black, and was pretty shocked when I called him out on it (and stormed out of the room, as I tended to do in my brash college days). Perhaps that wasn't the best way to handle it…but it definitely got my point across.

By: sethsimonds

sethsimonds — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:00:17 +0000

Good points, especially the third. If we are confident in our beliefs and
have the strength of character to stand by them, I think we give real
communication a boost. Tough stuff and I really appreciate your input!
Automattic is the Wordpress guys. My issue is still the hijacking of comment
threads. If Disqus releases them or ID comes up with a way to extract them,
I'd consider a switch or just my normal comments. The out-of-the-box
comments from Woo are quite lovely.

By: sethsimonds

sethsimonds — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:48:16 +0000

well-said! I like the idea of “if I'm offended I'm thinking about something
I may not have thought about previously.” It'd be interesting to see what
others say on that.
Thanks Justin!

By: justinparks

justinparks — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:33:41 +0000

I have a very simple set of rules about jokes. Let me address each of your questions in one reply.

Laugh if its funny.

Pretty simple really. If we are not careful we wont be able to tell jokes before long because it will end up offending someone from some group somewhere and that's called misery. I prefer being offended to being miserable.

At least if I'm offended I'm thinking about something I may not have thought about previously. If I'm miserable I'm just thinking about me and thats not helping anyone.