Manager made a racist remark, should I quit my job? (how much, coworkers)

[MissLucky]

I don't think there was anything racist but if it makes you feel uncomfortable, just let them know.

[kevinm]

Some people are just looking for a reason to be offended. Lighten up Francis!!

[Squirl]

You have a few options here:

*ignore the remark and stew about it

*file a complaint with HR

*respond (its a little late now, but for future reference) in the conversation with lighthearted humor: "Yes, my Asian friends have this problem too...... drop them in an affluent American suburb and they can't tell one white person from another!"

If you are planning to leave the job anyway and don't want to improve your work relationships, do #1 or #2. If you want to make drama or really, really believe other employees have a bad work experience there because of race do #2. If you want to learn how to become a strong person who can manage most situations.....go with #3.

[Chatteress]

Originally Posted by chinamen

I know many of you are non Asians but I would like to know what you think. My two managers were talking and I was there. One manager mentioned Jackie Chan because one of the dogs in the neigborhood is named that. I do not have a problem with that. But the other manager said in a comedy TV show that he saw, this family went to China and all Asians look all alike. The family thought they were seeing Jackie Chan everywhere. I seen that TV show with him and from my memory, it was not like how he described it. One aspect of racism is a remark that a certain race look all the same. As an Asian person I found this insulting. He actually did it in front of me. Also, the manager who made the racist remark gave me a lot of criticsm about my job performance two weeks ago. I am planning to leave my job because of this. Will this be considered a hostile work environment? I know many of you who are reading this are racist themselves but would like to know your opinion. I have an open mind.

Although the remark was insensitive, I think it was said more out of ignorance versus racism. As Chielgirl stated, folks can be really clueless so don't be so quick to find racism in everything. By the way, receiving a poor job review isn't necessarily a hostile work environment unless the poor review was unfairly given.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by chinamen

I know many of you are non Asians but I would like to know what you think. My two managers were talking and I was there. One manager mentioned Jackie Chan because one of the dogs in the neigborhood is named that. I do not have a problem with that. But the other manager said in a comedy TV show that he saw, this family went to China and all Asians look all alike. The family thought they were seeing Jackie Chan everywhere. I seen that TV show with him and from my memory, it was not like how he described it. One aspect of racism is a remark that a certain race look all the same. As an Asian person I found this insulting. He actually did it in front of me. Also, the manager who made the racist remark gave me a lot of criticsm about my job performance two weeks ago. I am planning to leave my job because of this. Will this be considered a hostile work environment? I know many of you who are reading this are racist themselves but would like to know your opinion. I have an open mind.

Do you think in your heart the people making these comments were trying to be hurtful or offensive? If not, then what you did by mentioning it to them was the right thing to do. After that, forget about it. If it happens again then perhaps it wasn't an accident and these people are trying to be hurtful.

Life is too short to get worked up about comments that weren't meant to be hurtful.

[STT Resident]

chinamen, you seriously need to develop a thicker skin and stop seeing racism in innocuous remarks. Develop a sense of humor and lighten up. This advice coming from an old white lady living in a black community who still occasionally is called a, "white mudder's c*** effing biotch" by ignoramuses - infinitely worse than what you're decrying as racism. Sheesh!

[imcurious]

It's hard to tell if it was a racist comment, but I personally think if you are going to work with people you have to develop a bit of a thick skin. If you are going to quit every time you hear a racist or sexist comment, you won't be working long . . . there are a bunch of baffoons out there in the world . . .

On the other hand, do you have a sense of humor? Family Guy is funny and pretty outrageous . . .why would you take a comment about Family Guy as an insult to you?

Some people do think other races all look alike. I am not sure if that is completely racist or just not particularly detailed oriented. If most Asians have black hair and a certain style of eyelid . . .would it be racist to conclude they have these features in common? What exactly is your argument with the statement (aside from the racism . . . how do you describe people who tend to have similar features in a race? Just curious ) . . .

[Hopes]

OP,

Watch the episode again.

That eposide of Family Guy is the one where the character Peter says every Asian guy looks like Jackie Chan (which means all Asians look alike).

You're making a mountain out of a mole hill.

[chinamen]

Originally Posted by Chatteress

Although the remark was insensitive, I think it was said more out of ignorance versus racism. As Chielgirl stated, folks can be really clueless so don't be so quick to find racism in everything. By the way, receiving a poor job review isn't necessarily a hostile work environment unless the poor review was unfairly given.

The poor job review came from the racist manager. In the end, the senior manager who has the most power told me that I am doing a good job and the door is open if I wanted to work there until I retire which is a long time from now. The senior manager felt that the racist manager was incorrect so no warnings were given to me. Just that the door is open.

[chinamen]

Originally Posted by Hopes

OP,

Watch the episode again.

That eposide of Family Guy is the one where the character Peter says every Asian guy looks like Jackie Chan (which means all Asians look alike).

You're making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Okay, that makes more sense. I was not really paying attention to the show.