Weird comment?

[Redundant98]

Someone senior in my workplace said that lack of diversity at the top could be attributed to language and culture problems, rather than anything else.

What do you think of this?

I think its casual racism, I'm assuming thwyre talking about ethnicity due to them mentioning language or culture. There are many people of varied backgrounds who do not have language or cultural barriers and to assume someone does just because of their ethnic background is racist.

I should add they used French researchers as an example - who they said are among the best in the world, yet don’t get the recognition as often they don’t speak or write very well English, so don’t publish in top journals, or present at top conferences etc.

Smells like racist bollocks to me

It was said in the presence of a junior black employee among others and the comment went unchallenged. I couldn’t say anything due to job insecurity but I feel like I can’t continue to not do something about it.

@Redundant98

It was said in the presence of a junior black employee among others and the comment went unchallenged. I couldn’t say anything due to job insecurity but I feel like I can’t continue to not do something about it.

Can you report it anonymously? It was at best, ignorant and accidentally racist and at worst, intentionally racist.

I couldn’t say anything due to job insecurity but I feel like I can’t continue to not do something about it.
Well if you didn't even speak up you are hardly likely to do anything about it.

I don't see this as casual racism. Clearly they mean that in their opinion or their experience "it could be......" It sounds to me as if it was a good time to discuss the matter and offer your view, if different from theirs.

Aren't they highlighting the racism rather than being racist?

Saying that people are held back because the language and culture are dominated by English and have no diversity to recognise talent?