Originally posted by eskimo2
The PC movement is often overdone; however, that does not make it evil. The PC movement is really the follow through of the Equal Rights Amendment and women's suffrage. I know that there are plenty of folks who don’t think that blacks, women and other minorities ever had it all that bad… The rest of us recognize that equal rights are essential and fair.
Now it’s one thing for the government to just state that businesses can’t discriminate who they hire based on race, sex, religion, etc. It’s another, and more challenging task to enforce these rights. I think most of us would quit our jobs if we were constantly insulted and made fun of by other employees. I’m assuming that most readers here are white; imagine working in an all black office where you were constantly ripped on for being white and given the worst tasks and never promoted. I’m assuming that most readers here are straight guys; imagine working for a gay boss who regularly hit on you and there was nothing you could do about it; I’m sure that’s how many women feel about unwanted advances from their bosses or co-workers.
As far as the military goes; discrimination didn’t just magically go away in 1948. It’s taken awhile to get where we are at now and it still isn’t perfect.
If your talking equal rights I'm down with that.
But if your talking about constantly worry about offending people or hurting peoples feelings.
Or making special accommodations for any group
Then I say that's not equal rights. but extra rights
Like I've said a few times. I'm a white boy with a Spanish last name who went to a primarily black school.
Trust me. my ethnicity didn't go over well with anyone. blacks white or Hispanics. I got it from all ends so I know what it feels like.
The one thing I refused to do is use it as a cop out. or whine "He's picking on me cause I'm white/Hispanic. Make him stop."
I learned not to sweat it.
Those that got to know me usually ended up liking me. and those that never bothered. weren't worth paying much attention to unless they got physical. In which case I just got physical right back.
Up here in the NE you don't see as much discrimination due to race as you used to.
Though I see an awful lot that like to claim it
"they just fired me cause I'm (whatever)"
Nooo they fired you because it was your 10th time late in 3 weeks
Or another one of my favorites
"I didn't get the promotion just because I'm (whatever)
Noooo, you didn't get the promotion because you don't bust your butt
I see an awful lot of employers afraid to get rid of dead wood because they are worried that someone is going to pull the race or sex card.
Discrimination now is more based on how you act.
Me for example. If you send me a white guy, who dresses and talks like an illiterate rap star and a well spoken, cleanly dressed black man. I'll hire the black man over the white every time.
Most employers I know feel the same way. Someone coming in who acts and sounds articulate will get preference over someone who comes in looking and sounding like they just came from "the hood" regardless of color.
The above examples I gave I know to be true because I've seen it all too often.
Instead of people actually trying to do well and at least act like they have some degree of intelligence. They walk around land act like employers owe them something because of what they are.
Women can be just as bad in other ways
They want equal rights but when you treat them equally just as you would a man they don't like that either.
They want to be treated special.
While I agree. No woman should have to deal with unwanted advances.
If a woman enters a field that is predominantly men. Don't expect them to have to put away their pinup pictures either just because your there.
she chose to be there. And nobody is forcing her to stay.
While she may rightfully point out that she isn't "one of the guys"
Most guys will respect that. She also needs to remember..She isn't one of the guys.
fortunately most women I know. there isn't a problem. They understand the inherent differences between the male and female mind set in situations like that.
As for me I have no problems treating anyone as an equal until they either use the race/gender card as an unwarranted complaint. or act in a way that causes me to treat them otherwise.
Most women appreciate the way I treat them.
unless you put a vocal feminist in my midst.
Then the gloves come off.
eskimo2 No offence to you personally. But I find that blacks when they dress and act intelligently tend to not have the problems you describe.
The ones that do are the ones that come in pants looking 14 sizes too big and refuse to speak correctly
someone that comes in an says "Can I have an application?"
Will always get preference over someone who comes in and says "Let me get an application yo."
Same thing with promotions.
When an employer hires you or promotes you remember you are representing their company. You ARE the face and voice of that company.
If you come in and do not dress right or if you insist on speaking as though you were an illiterate. You either aren't going to get the job. Are only going to get the crappy jobs and keep the crappy jobs and wont get promoted the same as someone who can no matter how good a worker you are or how much better you work.
And that's just the way it is. Its not a race thing. Its an image thing.
Is there still racism in the workplace? Yes but its not NEARLY as prevalent as it used to be.
And there will always be some sort of discrimination. Be it race, or sex, or because you have red hair, or a beard. There are always going to be people who will discriminate for any of 1,000 reasons. And it will always be that way.
BTW constantly complaining about discrimination usually wont get you the promotion either.
then you are seen only as a complainer and someone with less then a positive attitude.
Which ISNT what the higher ups are looking for.
Again. its an image thing.
Its high time some of these groups that scream "discrimination" the loudest to stop blaming everyone else and acting like they are owed something and start doing something to lift themselves up.
Learning to speak correctly would make a huge difference for starters.
There is more opportunity for women and minorities then ever before
A larger problem is both groups are doing very little to help themselves exploit those opportunities.
Another part is learning how to work within the system.
The system isn't fair. Not for whites,men or anyone else. It never has been and never will be so don't expect it to be. Learn to work within it.
The color that matters most in companies these days isn't white, or black, its green.
Can you bring the company green?
The best way to do that. Be it my small company or a multi billion dollar corporation besides just hard work is two simple words
Presentation and articulation.
