first day of work and met racist coworker(cross posted) (exam, definition)
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Try putting yourself in the shoe of someone who's a third generation Asian American who speaks perfect English and see if you wouldn't be offended if someone asks you that out of the blue. Or are we asking for too much intelligence or empathy?
Obviously we are. Some people apparently aren't willing to admit the existence of racism unless a white hood or burning cross is involved.
RB (Racist BXXXX)-- so what's your first language?
ME: What do you mean? i only know one language, English
RB: Surely you must know another language. English can't be your first language
ME: Why would you think English is not my first language (with death glare)
RB: (stumbling around) I just thought... well, with your background... (slow fade)
I was born and raised in America, my wife is from Ireland. I guess I have picked up some of her accent because on occasion people we meet will turn to me and ask "how long have you been in the country" I don't get offended I think it is funny.
To the OP give this lady a break. She might be the nicest person there and just not realise how her comments could be perceived. I think we have all said stupid things before. Give her a chance before calling her a racist.
Try putting yourself in the shoe of someone who's a third generation Asian American who speaks perfect English and see if you wouldn't be offended if someone asks you that out of the blue. Or are we asking for too much intelligence or empathy?
We are.
If the woman had stopped after the first question, it would have been an honest mistake. Instead she says, "Surely, English CAN"T be your first language."
I worked with a lovely, brilliant lady from the U.S. Virgin Islands---her first and only language was English. But because of her dialect, everyone assumed that English must be her second language. I felt bad for her---people were always asking her about it, and it made her feel bad all the time. I hesitate to say it was racist, but it was rather ignorant, and not very classy to keep asking about her about how she spoke. I understood her perfectly, and grew to love her dialect.
If the woman had stopped after the first question, it would have been an honest mistake. Instead she says, "Surely, English CAN"T be your first language."
Come on, people. You guys can't be this obtuse.
I don't think she is racist. But she is ignorant , doubting (when OP said english is the only language he speaks why didn't she accept it?), rude (since she insisted on continuing) and insensitive .
Let me get this straight: We are a diverse culture, yet we don't want to be different. We are diverse, but don't you dare make mention of said diversity because I want to be the same. We all want to look the same, speak the same, but be diverse and get upset when someone assumes you know a different language based on your looks. OK, got it. If someone assumes you're different than a white male with a typical english accent, 6ft tall, in great shape, they are racist.
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