“Sometimes I forget you’re black”; “Wow, you are always on time”; “You speak so well, where did you go to school?” Some of us have heard these “innocent” phrases before. But, what may seem like a harmless comment could have a major impact on the person it’s directed at because of the underlying racism. Dr Claudelle von Eck, CEO of the Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa, gives us the low down on subtle racism.
How to identify subtle racism at work
- Your valid ideas are constantly ignored.
- Only unskilled tasks are being assigned to you, which disable you from displaying your real abilities. Make sure this situation is not because you are not committed enough or you haven’t demonstrated readiness for more responsibility.
- Stinging remarks made about your race and brushed off as “a joke”.
- Different rules apply to you as compared to other colleagues of other races, e.g. complaints about the smell of your lunch while other people’s food also smells bad (e.g. tripe vs broccoli).
- Being reprimanded for things your colleagues of other races are allowed to get away with.
- Your seniority not being acknowledged – when you’re with peers, you’re always the one who gets sent to make coffee.
- Comments like: “You are actually ok. You’re not like them”, are made.
- Comments that start with “You people…”
What should I do if I suspect subtle racism in my office?
- Do not laugh or participate in racial jokes.
- Make others aware of how you feel when they say or do things that hurt you.
- See it as an opportunity to educate them about your race. Subtly bring into the conversation the importance of understanding where other people come from. For example, in many black cultures a man would walk through a doorway first to protect a woman from danger; in the white culture it is considered rude if the man goes before the woman.
- Suggest to your manager that sensitivity and diversity training may be beneficial to the office.
How do I handle subtle racism at work?
Be the better person, reach out and build bridges wherever possible. The spirit of Ubuntu says: “I am because you are and you are because we are”. It’s hard to keep hating someone when that person reacts with love. You may have to confront the person, but never fall into the trap of showing racist behaviour yourself.
Picture from Thinkstock
