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How to Navigate the Challenges of Racism at Work!
Bold on Purpose!
Work place atmosphere is often dominated by silent racial
discrimination, something nobody addresses because it’s just been that way for
too long. An act of grappling to avoid the difficult conversations and to avoid
taking a courageous decision is something that needs to be voiced by leaders
for moral reasons. A more level playing field needs to be the foundation of the
operating structure.
Measures to combat/prevent racism at work:
• Accept
there’s a problem.
Don’t be hesitant to address the issue. Be vocal and accept
the existence of the problem and take a stand and resolve to solve the biases.
Remember, indifference only makes matters worse.
• Create a
redressal forum.
People who witnessed or experienced an act of racism must
feel comfortable to discuss, validate and process it without judgement. There
should be a structural system created to address the issue, which provides
psychological safety so that people are comfortable to talk about such
experiences.
• Make people
accountable.
Nobody should feel okay with carrying on the misconducts and
discriminations. They should be held responsible. Leaders should ensure that
all reports of racism are taken seriously. Harsh consequences for those who
cross the line will indicate to others that racism won’t be tolerated. It will
do justice and provide closure for those who have been affected.
• Establish
Vigil Mechanism.
Many racist incidents go unreported because people lack the
confidence to come forward. Staff should also be made aware of the process of
anonymously reporting an incident, this will at least help in reporting the
issue. Further, the management must be held responsible to solve these
grievances in a short span of time to stop the spread of its negative effects
and eradicate the existence of racial discrimination.
• Address the
pain points.
Members must be trained to make them better understand their
own behaviour in the workplace, as subtle acts of racism are often committed
without the offender necessarily realizing that their actions are offensive.
The importance of civility needs to be imparted. To start with, best behaviour
should be appreciated. Incivility should
be publicly addressed to make the offender realize how it actually feels to be
humiliated but this should be carried out gracefully, as our purpose is not to
humiliate someone but to help them change for the better.
The prejudice and stereotypes are too evident to go
unnoticed.
The prejudice and stereotypes are too evident to go
unnoticed. Example: The Wrong Colour! Who are we as humans to classify
which colour skin is superior to the other? Why the white colour is glorified
and the black considered to be subordinate in human race. In India, the
obsession for “White” skin tone is real. People drooling over a ‘fair’ skin
tone is evident in the matrimonial ads. Also, the use and popularity of
whitening creams have been there for years, yet no ne takes initiative to
voice against such products that advocate colour bias and boycott them. We as
humans need to understand that all human beings are equal irrespective of the
colour of our skin. No one is superior to the other, we are all born equal,
what separates us from each other is not the colour of our skin but the colour
of our thoughts and deeds. Make your thoughts and deeds superior in quality and
then you will automatically stop downgrading others based on whatever
prejudices you carry in your heart and mind. Think about it.
Not only this, but the pandemic also succeeded in unleashing
the racist mentality of Indians when they misbehaved with those from the
North-eastern states. On 26th March a man was arrested for spitting in the face
of a Manipuri woman and calling her ‘Corona’. However, this is not the only
incident of racial discrimination that took place, when people from the
Northeast faced harassment. Women from the Northeast are often called by
various names like ‘Chinky’, Chinese and ‘Nepali’ etc. They are often treated
as outsiders. And then, we further hold them responsible for not trying to be a
part of the rest of India! Remember, you belong where you feel connected.
The whole George Floyd incident and the Anti-race movement;
The ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests gained momentum in not only the United States
but the whole world. People, as well as many governments across different
countries, came forth against the prevalence of racial discrimination
worldwide. But what needs to be considered is that though governments have their
parts to play in order to stop such discrimination to take place, yet what will
bring real transformation is when people at individual levels start
participating in ending this racial discrimination. If we all become
responsible and accountable to stand against such injustice it will
automatically make it difficult for the abusers to carry out such derogatory
acts, isn’t it? Unity has power. Let’s stand for a cause greater than
ourselves. Let’s value the life of each individual being. Raise awareness, stop
harassment. Voice injustice. Practice ethical behaviour even when its tough. Similarly,
there are several such instances where discrimination against people based on
colour, race and ethnicity has been seen, yet the cause has not been
sufficiently dealt with.
Image Courtesy: EY