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AIBU?

Is this racism

185 replies

prettyprettyflowers · 21/05/2018 12:52

Very senior manager was told off by HR for doing a mocking Chinese accent when talking about a trip to a Chinese restaurant in a senior meeting.
She then recounts story with same accent in different meeting as well as how funny it was HR told her off for it.

It Bothers me. But am I the only one?

OP posts:
GorgeousJaws · 21/05/2018 12:55

Imitating an accent, which everyone has, can be offensive, but I wouldn't say racist.

bazingabazinga · 21/05/2018 13:01

No it’s not racism.

In that case, doing any accent that’s not your own is racist.

Cecily75 · 21/05/2018 13:02

Would she do the accent in a room full of Chinese people? If not, it would be because she knows it's offensive... because it's racist.

It would bother me too.

DuchyDuke · 21/05/2018 13:04

Yes it is racist.

Whiterabbitears · 21/05/2018 13:05

It depends. Were there any Chinese people present at the meeting who felt uncomfortable? Sometimes humour can backfire, she might not have meant to be offensive. I often imitate DHs bengali accent but he finds it funny. I wouldn't do this in a work situation though it's not appropriate.

ellsbells2 · 21/05/2018 13:06

My best friend is Welsh and if ever I'm re telling one of her stories I do it in a (bad) Welsh accent. My friend laughs at my pathetic attempt and isn't remotely offended.

I am mixed race and I am not racist.

prettyprettyflowers · 21/05/2018 13:10

No Chinese people present

OP posts:
prettyprettyflowers · 21/05/2018 13:11

Also same place lady refers to sweet potato as being "exotic like Megan markle a bit Carribean or is it African"

Confused

OP posts:
dinosaursandtea · 21/05/2018 13:11

Yep, that's incredibly racist. If she's continuing to do it, she needs to be reported.

ScreamingValenta · 21/05/2018 13:12

Yes

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 21/05/2018 13:13

Yes.

Nikephorus · 21/05/2018 13:13

Sweet potatoes are exotic? She's unreasonable on that.

prettyprettyflowers · 21/05/2018 13:13

I'm the only non white person in the whole building so find it difficult to judge!

OP posts:
ILikeMyChickenFried · 21/05/2018 13:14

Very offensive

thecatsthecats · 21/05/2018 13:18

It almost doesn't matter what we think of it. She was pulled up by HR for it, so it is not permissible in your organisation. She chose to repeat the incident, explicitly undermining the informal approach taken.

NameChangedForThisQ · 21/05/2018 13:19

Yes it's racist because it's mocking

MysweetAudrina · 21/05/2018 13:19

I think most people would find it comfortable to hear someone doing a Regional, European, American, Australian, South African, Canadian, or neighbouring Countriy's accent but not an Asian or African one.

The former as seen as funny the latter are seen as racist.

KoshaMangsho · 21/05/2018 13:20

Of course it is.
Also it is EXTREMELY bad manners.

Frenchiemamax · 21/05/2018 13:21

I wouldn't say it was racist, but she needs to have a word with herself as it could cause offence

BarbarianMum · 21/05/2018 13:26

《Yes it's racist because it's mocking》

^^This. Why was it necessary to imitate an accent to tell the story, what did it add?

Aika · 21/05/2018 13:28

Totally racist

Pressuredrip · 21/05/2018 13:32

It is racist. I think when you do it directly to a close friend or relative you can get away with it though.

bringbacksideburns · 21/05/2018 13:40

There don't have to be any Chinese people present. FFS!

Yes it is. She's a senior Manager you say? Your organization, particularly Council or Gov has a code of conduct. Can't believe she did it in a meeting.

PinguForPresident · 21/05/2018 13:41

Of course it's racist! Wildly offensive.

ilovesooty · 21/05/2018 13:42

Yes it's racist.
Explicitly mocking the HR intervention needs reporting.

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