Is this racism

[prettyprettyflowers]

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?

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

No it’s not racism.

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

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.

Yes it is racist.

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.

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.

No Chinese people present

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

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

Yes

Yes.

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

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

Very offensive

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.

Yes it's racist because it's mocking

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.

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

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

《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?

Totally racist

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

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.

Of course it's racist! Wildly offensive.

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