[jmo531]

There is this man in my office who is from India. He is a muslim. I find this man to be very friendly and nice to talk to. However, others in my office have made it apparently clear that they do not like him. There have been several comments made to him, that in my opinion appear to be very petty and unneccessary. I feel really horrible because he has been made to feel like an outsider. i try my best to make him feel like he is an important part of this department but there are far too many people here that are making it more and more difficult for me to reassure him. This morning he made a wonderful gesture by bringing in breakfast. He brought croissants, donuts, muffins, strawberrys and juice. It was really a wonderful spread. At the same time, myself and a few other of my closest work partners are the only ones that said "thank you". There were comments made that they thought the food was poisoned and that they would not eat any. This is disgusting and appauling. I figured since we were all adults here we would act like it. Apparently not. I was so ticked that I made a note on the dry erase board to thank him for his efforts. I hope he knows that not everyone dislikes him. I'm a little pissed. People can be so rude.

Agreed. I think your actions are wonderful. Your co-workers are small minded, and ignorant.

You may want to talk to your management about the situation. They should put forth effort to change this situation. If they do not they may need a reminder that a hostile work environment is worthy of a lawsuit!

Take care, and keep up the good fight!

emmy

[nothemama8]

Hey Jen, see if you can find a sign that says Bigots not allowed, then post it in the office, see how many question it, keep being the sweet kind person you are
Angie

[Mahali]

Yes I agree with every word said above. Can't add one more thing. Good post.

[jetblackaura]

That is appaling. I can't believe such people exist. Racism makes me so angry!!!

I'll come sort out your co-workers

Jet gives a lesson on racism

[jmo531]

LOL. I have thought about giving them a boot in the butt myself. My manager is not here today but rest assured I will be letting her know exactly what went on today. Thanks guys.!!!

Love to all!!!!!!!!

[jmo531]

I guess I should also say that my sister and her husband are an interracial copuple. They have two wonderful children that couldnt be more perfect and beautiful. This hits a little to close to home for me and I find it disgusting. I love my sister and I know they hard times she has been through and it is inexcusable the way people act.

[SweetCrusader]

grrrr @ them!

[SweetCrusader]

(((((((jmo))))))) I hear you honey. I am biracial.

[SS8282]

I don't know where you work, but there are laws regarding anti-harassment and discrimination. Please check with your company policy. It is very important that supervisors, managers, etc. are aware of this. If worse comes to worse, please keep notes and reporting to the Human Rights Commission might be necessary. If nothing is being done, than everyone is in the wrong.

I understand a lot about what you're talking about - first hand. Please talk to me if you have any questions or need help.

Take care.

[kimmydawn]

i was raised on military bases my entire life...i knew the world as multi colored i didn't know what racism meant, until it was acted on against me! my parents raised us showing no prejudice. that's ONE good thing my parents did. in fact, the first little boy that i brought home and introduced as my "boyfriend" was a different race that i. the focus was more on my bringing a boyfriend home and none on race. i'm glad for this memory today

i also raised for a short time, my cousin's son who is bi-racial. i'm very aware of racism in this small community and it makes me ill. this boy has gone thru hell where we live.

i'm proud that my daughters have never seen prejudice in our home. my youngest is more attracted to young men of another race...

i detest racism. the only experience i had with it growing up was against me when i was the minority. UGH. it was a contributing factor in the child splitting i believe. i could/would never treat anyone the way i was treated. WRONG. maybe that's why i'm so sensitive to this issue? racism can leave horrible scars on the soul.

anyhow, y'all did not ask for any of that, i just went off on my own...lololol. hope ya don't mind.

love,

kd

Racism makes my blood boil. I absolutely can't stand it. Jen, I honestly think you should do whatever is in your power to fry their arses. No one deserved to be treated that way. It's just another form of abuse.

Ry

[h0kie]

Good for you Jen for recognizing the pettiness of these actions.

I live in a small community...I can remember only a handful (4-6) people in my high school that were not white. I never saw racism in action...but I'm not so naive to think it didn't happen.

When I went to college...it was like another world! So many different colors and backgrounds. I was shocked when the ladies in my cohort made the statement that the university wasn't as diverse as I thought. For me...it was! Of course, they all grew up in Northern Virginia where, apparently, things are incredibly diverse.

When I student taught, I was the minority! It was such a wonderful learning experience for me! I am so grateful of the experiences I encountered.

These life experiences I've had make me (I hope) very open to new and different places and people. My cousin and I disagree frequently on so many of these issues. I simply attribute it to her not having the life experiences I have had.

You're in my thoughts. I hope good things come out of this, for all involved!

[radio_flyer]

I am thinking the people in your office may be rejecting him because he is muslim. Umm, Islam teaches in their Koran to beat their wives The women actually have no rights. TThe women can't even go in the same door as the men when they go to the mosques to pray. The women are controlled by their men. There is much more, but I won't get into it here.

As for myself, I am not rude to them. But I don't honor their beliefs. I prefer to keep a safe distance other than the social hello and how are you, for reasons I can't explain here...

Hope I didn't start a riot....

[jmo531]

I have studied the Koran so I could get a better understanding to the muslim belief's. Although I do not agree with the way of life, I will in no way infringed upon their right to their own religious beliefs. I like this gy at work. I think he is really cool regardless of his background or religious beleifs. The work place holds no place to carry discrimination based on this. He is always very polite and kind to me and I would never turn my back on him. I seem to have the knack for basing my own opinions on my own experience. And in my experience, this man should not be held accountable for actions that he had no part of. I will be informing management of this occurance.
I live in Northern Virginia and I grew up here. There are people of all races here. I love it because of that. Because we are all different. That makes us unique.
I had my share of discrimination in high school when I would date people of the opposite race. But I knew then that people were small minded and ignorant.
I still dont understand why people hate based on religion, race or any other factor. I just dont get it.

do what you gotta do, Jen..we support you here...you must be feeling awful about all this. it's disgusting. pat

[Raynaadi]

Ugh....why are people sooooo mean! Kudos on befriending him and making sure he is not alone. Have you tried talking to the other mean coworkers about it? I hope things change for him, and for you.

Rayna

[Wants2Fly]

I want to get back to the legal ramifications of this. I had to take a training at each of the universities where I am teaching this fall -- and pass a quiz -- about harrassment in the workplace and schoolroom. Federal monies are at stake, not to mention the legal settlements.

It sounds like your workplace needs some harrassment training, pronto. This is not a little thing, and I am so glad that you are being kind and supportive of your coworker.

[radio_flyer]

Gosh, how easy we forget........I remember muslims celebrating in the streets when New York was attacked on 911...... They were celebrating, giving out candy to children... Crying...... another victory for Islam....

[jmo531]

Thank you guys for all your support and kind words. The people involved are relatively new employees. That is no excuse however. I work for a large company where this behavior is usually not tolerated. Like I said I will me notifying my manager in the morning. The more and more I think about it, I think I'm gonna put it in writing so I have documentation that I attempted to take action.

WTF,
You must work in HR or a related field. I appreciate your input on the legal aspect of this. I will keep everyone posted as developments take place. Thank you all again for your support.

[jmo531]

Radio!!!
I dont appresicate the comment how easy we forget. I will never forget that day for as long as I live. The devistation this country suffered that day is unimaginable. But I would like to point out that there are radicals in every religion and walk of life. We have the KKK here in America who kill and mame people for being "non white". You can not seperate out an entire religion for the acts of a few extremist.
The intent of my post was in no way to cause conflict. In fact it was the exact opposite. If you read between the lines, encouragment of love and understanding of others outside of our race and religion is the point I was trying to get across.
This incident can not be compared to the devistation of 9/11.
Please do not turn this into a negative post. Thank you.

[h0kie]

Yes, I remember that. But I also remember INNOCENT Arab people receiving death threats and being harrassed here. Just because they looked Arabic or Muslim or Islamic I remember innocent Japanese Americans being put into camps during WWII. They hadn't done anything wrong!

Just because some people choose to respond that way...why do we assume everyone is like that? Yes, some people were celebrating when terrorists struck...but there were also people in that same country mourning our losses too.

That would be like me saying, all blonde women were self centered just because of several blonde girls that were mean to me in high school.

Racism is wrong. Just because other people do it...doesn't make it ok. Jen... I commend you for standing up for others. Doing what is right isn't always easy or popular...but it is still right.

[jmo531]

(((((((((((((((((1day)))))))))))))))))

Thank you dear. That means alot

[radio_flyer]

Maybe all muslims are not terrorists...... But, all terrorists are muslim.... Look, I don't mind that you support and care for the muslims.... That is your choice...I don't hate them, but again, I don't trust them. Which is my choice.......I don't bash them either..... I would not be rude or cruel to them... I just don't like what they stand for or their beliefs.......

[LMo]

While I'm on my 'break', my alter-ego is stepping in to suggest that this discussion be discontinued or taken offline. JMo (great name!) got to air her grievance and some agree and some don't. This conversation could turn nasty rather quickly, which I think we'd all prefer to not see.

Just a suggestion from someone who isn't here right now...