To report colleague for racist comments

[Redorangesblue]

I don’t want to be classed as a tell tale as I know this never goes down well and I’ve already reported one other person for racist comments before. I feel like I take things too personally and maybe I should put up and shut up and stop rocking the boat.

We work in a healthcare setting and this person has made several racist comments about China and Chinese people and the corona virus and telling a very blatant personal story about how they’ve asked to be move away from Chinese people in a public place.

I feel it’s inappropriate to say these things in a work place. Whatever your personal thoughts about different people, they should not be shared when you’re at work. Just for context this person isn’t English/British. They’re Eastern European.

Well I'm not Chinese, I'm also not gay, disabled, Muslim, or homeless - but I will stand up for the rights of those who are. Not for any "Cause" but because some things are just the right thing to do. And some day, you or I might just need others to stand up for us. "in a world where you can be anything - be kind".

👏👏👏 to @Hmmmwhatsthat

To those who are criticising someone speaking out if it didn't personally affect them might want to remember this from the Holocaust!
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Yes. Report them. Those that don’t stand up to racism are part of the problem.

You say something to colleague: whatever. Good thing to do, but carries little weight, potentially.

Your boss says something to colleague: he/she is officially being told that racism is unacceptable.

Of course that would mean more if we didn't have a racist government and racist institutions but I still think it's better.

@MadMadMad yes! And also, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing.

Don’t waste your breath, and I say that as someone who has just spent some time logging into this.
Do you want them sacked ?
If not.
Forget it...

The hitler analogy person...the nazis had people reporting each other.
And as a society, with the Thought Police, we are heading just that way.

Just give your head a shake and ignore the obnoxious person.

Jesus. This is not the holocaust, it’s daft comment made by someone who’s connecting dots in a rather ridiculous way. If it was me I’d say something in the moment, but he or she isn’t saying that all Chinese people should be exterminated because if their racial characteristics. Chill the fuck out.

OP, you should definitely report. Asking to be moved away from Chinese people (when the virus is NOT a Chinese virus only) is racist as heck. It is like being asked to be moved when seated next to a person of colour.

In my previous company you'd have been in trouble if you'd been present when something like this was said and chose to take no action at all.

It's always the answer on mumsnet - report them to social services, call the police, call the benefits office, let HMRC know, let the school know......
i.e. call up some kind of authority figure to deal with something on your behalf.

If someone says something racist in front of me, I call them out on it. I do not need a manager to enforce my values, I'm quite capable of standing up for what I believe in. Why aren't you OP?

And what is it with this “reporting” culture. It’s absolutely vile. Just say something or don’t, but escalating this kind of thing because you’re incapable of saying anything yourself is not right.

@Frothybothie Your post reminds me of this:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Can you challenge them directly in a 'sorry - why do you say that/what do you mean?' Type way?

If they spell out their racist justification I'll pull them up in it and report it

Sometimes people feel they can't challenge it directly. What if the person is senior to you or known to be aggressive or confrontational?

@MadMadMad I see you beat me to it, lol.

Redorangesblue that's not racism. It's stupid yes and shows a poor grasp of probability, but there really is a virus being carried by 'some' Chinese people.

Perhaps your previous report was also a mistake? You should review it.

This person is aggressive and another person in the room did challenge her. But she has continued to retell her story to other people.

So she hasn't responded to direct challenge. She definitely needs to be reported then.

@LastTrainEast You are in denial of what racism is. It is indeed racism. The virus is NOT 'carried' by "some Chinese people".

It is carried by some people. White people, Asians, African Americans, Swedish, etc etc.

It is NOT a 'Chinese disease'. Chinese are no more carriers than an anglosaxon Brit or Australian.

Only one person challenged her?

See I think being passive in these situations can be nearly as bad, as some racist people think the silent onlookers secretly agree with what they're saying, but they're the only one 'telling it like it is' so to speak.

Also, where was the support for the person who challenged her? That's another reason racism often goes unchallenged because the person speaking up gets no support.

Report by all means but perhaps question yourself on if you could have dealt with it differently at the actual time.

YANBU

It's always the answer on mumsnet - report them to social services, call the police, call the benefits office, let HMRC know, let the school know......
i.e. call up some kind of authority figure to deal with something on your behalf

Indeed. I find it rather pathetic. Step up and speak up yourself. You'd be surprised at how quickly people subside when challenged about this kind of thing. Some people are locked in echo chambers with families and friends and honestly believe what they've saying is acceptable. At age 17 I said something I heard from my Dad to a friend. It was unquestionably racist but I didn't realise. She challenged me and I have never forgotten it, it changed my whole thinking process m. Somehow we remained friends, which was lovely of her, and I didn't need to lose my job or be publicly shamed.

nibdedibble It's presupposing that people of a certain appearance might have a disease, based on the fact that most people with that appearance live in a country experiencing an epidemic.

A poor grasp of probably yes, but racism is something else.

Racism is what people go for when they don't like what someone said and want a bigger stick to strike them with. Telling the person that they are rude and stupid would be appropriate.

This person is aggressive

Have you reported the aggression?

You have a right to feel safe at work - are there not posters up everywhere in your workplace, given you're in healthcare?