To be uncomfortable after my manager went on a rant about how much she hates Meghan Markle during a team meeting?

[AlertBird]

So, today, in our team meeting, my manager went on a full-on rant about how much she hates Meghan Markle. It seemed completely out of place and unnecessary, especially considering the meeting was meant to be about work. It got a bit awkward and no one really knew how to react.

I get that people have opinions but I just felt like it was unprofessional to bring something like that up during a work meeting. It felt like a personal issue being projected onto everyone else.

AIBU to feel uncomfortable about this or is it just me being overly sensitive?

Unprofessional to have such a rant about something completely unrelated to a work team meeting. The odd few second comment about unrelated things (I will use a musical reference sometimes) perhaps is OK, not what the OP witnessed.

You should have politely called her out.

Your manager is an unprofessional embarrassment.

No, you just find it hard to understand.
Are you white?

Yeah, I was really taken aback. I don’t think personal rants like that belong in a work meeting. I’m not sure if a complaint is the right approach but it definitely felt inappropriate. Would you report something like this?

the way she spoke about her was really intense.

I don’t blame you all for feeling so uncomfortable. I bet no one knew where to look.

Jeez! I don't like Megan M but am also mixed race. Please don't come out with blanket statements around race it really isn't helpful.

@AlertBird tricky - would you feel comfortable mentioning it to her?

It's really out of order but could be presented as it took time away from work matters. Well it did but it might be easier than 'complaining' as such.

It was clear in black and white and it was bonkers.

”I’m not racist…I have a black friend!”

Come on luv! 😂

Yes, I must be racist because one of my relatives is black and two are mixed race and I like them. The reason I must be racist is that I don't like some of the things that Meghan Markle has said and done and she is mixed race.

Why won't you answer my question?
Actually I'm pretty sure why you won't answer.

You did not pick your relative though did you.

Using the “I’m not racist, one of my friend’s is black” argument is one thing.

But actually staying “I’m not racist one of my cousins chose to marry a black person” is even more hilarious.

😂😂😂😆😆😆😆

LOLS on LOLS on LOLS. You should do stand up.

Also I have not once said you are racist. I am just laughing at your use of that ridiculous trope.

Bloody hell this thread is ridic. Meghan Markle is literally one of the most annoying celebrities ever, nowt to do with her gorgeous skin tone. And who cares if your boss ranted about her! Don't blame her, be human people.

And you still haven't answered my question. Tying yourself in knots trying to get the upper hand, and you think you're laughing at me!

As darling as your over-use of emojis is, I’m afraid you’re not making the point you think you are. That poster meant that Knowing black people and the struggles they face does make a difference, but to suggest Meghan should be immune in any way to criticism because she black is deeply offensive, and racist.

Also whenever because accuse others of being racist it’s often with the accusation “Have you ever even met a black person”

Also Meghan presents as white and no one cares what skin colour she is.

Also no one has said “My friends are black”

I’d really like people who assume MM is hated because she’s mixed race to come on and explain further - does this mean POC can never be awful, or annoying, or disliked without it being a race issue? Where does it end? Are people who dislike Bill Cosby racist? And before some half wit whines about comparisons, no I’m not comparing MM and BC. My point is that if any criticism of a POC MUST stem from racism, what about when a black person does something very bad indeed?

Weird manager! Really not appropriate to rant

What?

Fully agree here, they can't explain because it makes zero logical sense, part of the nonsense woke brigade.

That dot in the sky is the point sailing over your head.

The person I was speaking to literally used the “I’m not racist - I have black friends!” trope.

Hence my laughter. Her cousin’s wife’s skin colour and their alleged friendship has nothing to do with whether or not she is racist. Hence why anything that leans into that trop is laughable.

So all the people that hated Sunak as PM, are racist

But all the people who hated Boris, erm, just hated him because he was awful and rubbish

And all the people that hated Liz Truss did so because they're women haters?

But the people who hate Keir Starmer, erm, just hate him because they dont think hes any good

(disclaimer for those hard of thinking - Im using political figures as they came to hand first, Im also using the word hate like you might say 'I hate that laptop, its broken and needs replacing')

Yeah, I see what you mean. I do think it was inappropriate but I’m not sure how comfortable I’d feel bringing it up directly. It’s tricky because I don’t want to make a big deal out of it, but at the same time, personal rants in work meetings don’t sit right with me.

I have answered your question about exactly how your ridiculous comment about your cousin’s wife leans into a trope that is widely mocked.

And just as a suggestion - angrily insisting on knowing the ethnicity of people posting on Mumsnet is weird, creepy and does not help you in your insistence to not be a racist.

Why do you NEED to know the ethnicity of people posting on Mumsnet?

@MyLimeGuide c'mon, they were trapped listening to a non-work related diatribe.

Yeah I guess... it is a bit funny though!

If that was my work place we would have laughed and said 'alright calm down'. Probably in a pretend Liverpool accent for the young 'uns.

People have funny 5 minutes occasionally, they dont get everything right. Why on earth it made people feel 'uncomfortable' is a question for them I suppose. I would have just thought she's having a bit of a bad day!

Bit random to go on about a celeb that she doesnt know but then people are strange sometimes.