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Is this racism?

Was the described situation racist?

  • Yes, it sounds like a racist remark

    Votes: 3 7.5%
  • It was insensitive

    Votes: 8 20.0%
  • There was only cultural gulf and misunderstanding

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • The fellow's sensitivity over his ethnicity was coming to the surface

    Votes: 7 17.5%
  • Is bad handwriting a stereotype for people from Philippines?

    Votes: 4 10.0%
  • People should be more careful throwing out accusations of racisms

    Votes: 11 27.5%
  • Other

    Votes: 7 17.5%

  • Total voters
    40

MyOwnDrum

Banned
DP Veteran
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Aug 30, 2009
Messages
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Gender
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Political Leaning
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Let's say you are receiving a verbal report from a fellow from a another country originally, along with a handwritten reference sheet. This guy is from the Philippines. You can never read this fellow's handwriting. You tell him that his handwriting is difficult to read, and jokingly compare it to another co-worker's (well known to everyone) bad handwriting, who is also happens to befrom the Philippines. Then you good humoredly note "you guys are even from the same country".

This previously congenial colleague flies off the handle, extremely offended, and accusing you of racism, calling you a racist. You immediately try to sooth the situation, apologizing, but the co-worker has trouble getting over it. Other co-workers are dumbfounded at the fellows reaction too.
 
Let's say you are receiving a verbal report from a fellow from a another country originally, along with a handwritten reference sheet. This guy is from the Philippines. You can never read this fellow's handwriting. You tell him that his handwriting is difficult to read, and jokingly compare it to another co-worker's (well known to everyone) bad handwriting, who is also happens to befrom the Philippines. Then you good humoredly note "you guys are even from the same country".

This previously congenial colleague flies off the handle, extremely offended, and accusing you of racism, calling you a racist. You immediately try to sooth the situation, apologizing, but the co-worker has trouble getting over it. Other co-workers are dumbfounded at the fellows reaction too.

I didn't realize that "Philipinian" was a race :shock:
 
I didn't realize that "Philipinian" was a race :shock:

People seem to use the word racism rather broadly these days, to mean any and all prejudices.
 
I don't think this is racist. It may be a little insensitive but not racist. If anything the Filipino guy is way to sensitive and just wants an excuse to say he was treated with racial animosity over his garbage handwriting. People are too easily offended, we shouldn't cater to the emotional instability of adults with the maturity levels of 6 year olds.
 
Let's say you are receiving a verbal report from a fellow from a another country originally, along with a handwritten reference sheet. This guy is from the Philippines. You can never read this fellow's handwriting. You tell him that his handwriting is difficult to read, and jokingly compare it to another co-worker's (well known to everyone) bad handwriting, who is also happens to befrom the Philippines. Then you good humoredly note "you guys are even from the same country".

This previously congenial colleague flies off the handle, extremely offended, and accusing you of racism, calling you a racist. You immediately try to sooth the situation, apologizing, but the co-worker has trouble getting over it. Other co-workers are dumbfounded at the fellows reaction too.
no, it's not.
 
Like rat stated...Filipino is a nationality, not a race.

Thus, no.
 
People seem to use the word racism rather broadly these days, to mean any and all prejudices.

I don't even see how there was any prejudice. Or anything really derogatory. Some people just need to lighten the **** up and stop acting like the world revolves around them and their poor wittle feelings.
 
Racist, even in the non technical use of it? Probably not.

Insensitive and just not smart to say in todays society? Probably yes.

Able to give a definitive answer to such a hypothetical? Absolutely not, because there's no context around it. If this guy is known for saying borderline racist stuff about Filipino's then it'd likely be looked at as far more racist then say if he never made such comments and was married to a Filipino wife? Probably much less of a chance.
 
I don't think this is racist. It may be a little insensitive but not racist. If anything the Filipino guy is way to sensitive and just wants an excuse to say he was treated with racial animosity over his garbage handwriting. People are too easily offended, we shouldn't cater to the emotional instability of adults with the maturity levels of 6 year olds.

I agree. It was mostly a well intended 'foot in mouth' moment, meant to humorously point out that the handwriting is impossible to read.

Sometimes it seems better not to start feeling too chummy with people from other cultures. You start treating them just like you'd treat anyone else, but there still is a cultural gulf in the other person's eyes that can rear it's ugly head, with misunderstandings like this.

I don't even know the stereotypes of Filipinos actually. The ones I've met seem hardworking and similar to other people.

Throwing out the Race card is highly inflammatory, I must say. Accusing someone of racism should not be done lightly or on the spur of the moment.
 
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The guy in question has no history of making racist remarks and is pretty easy going and friendly. The remark was entirely off the cuff.
 
I don't even think what MyOwnDrum said was the least bit insensitive. He was making a joke, for ****s sake.

Just the other day I was out with my co-workers having a drink, including the Irish guy I work with. (whose accent makes me weak in the knees, but I digress... ) He's telling this story about how he thinks we're too soft on kids here in the US. About how in Ireland, if kids do ****ty in some sport, they'd throw rocks at them and how in the US we give ****ty kids trophies. I said something about there being a 'happy medium' between the two. He chuckled and said, "Well, we wouldn't actually throw rocks..." and before he could finish I interjected, "You'd throw potatoes?" Everyone at the table busted out laughing and he did his damndest NOT to laugh and just TRY to pretend to be offended while he rattled off about Irish stereotypes and told me, "póg mo thóin".

People CHOOSE to get offended. People like that guy in the OP are only harming themselves by being pissed off all the time. He'd be so much better off mentally, and probably physically, if he laughed instead of angered.
 
''This previously congenial colleague flies off the handle, extremely offended, and accusing you of racism, calling you a racist. You immediately try to sooth the situation, apologizing, but the co-worker has trouble getting over it. Other co-workers are dumbfounded at the fellows reaction too. ''

You likely did not intend to make a racist comment and the colleague likely would not have interpreted it as one, if it was the first time he heard such a comment. I think, this guy may have been reacting to the regular harassment that certain groups are subjected to, throughout their lives. ie. They become sensitive to all comments about their race, gender...

I would make an effort to consider the sensitivities of others, before making certain comments, even if you think they are being unreasonable. Keep in mind, that you have not walked in this persons shoes, so really cant understand what it is like to be on the receiving end of racial harassment.
 
That's very true, hearing things over and over again might make folks overly sensitive and prone to over reacting, especially when tired or stressed.

Being accused of racism for small things can be aggravating too. I think White people are, in general, sick of the term racism being thrown out at the drop of a hat. That, too, can make people jumpy.
 
Let's say you are receiving a verbal report from a fellow from a another country originally, along with a handwritten reference sheet. This guy is from the Philippines. You can never read this fellow's handwriting. You tell him that his handwriting is difficult to read, and jokingly compare it to another co-worker's (well known to everyone) bad handwriting, who is also happens to befrom the Philippines. Then you good humoredly note "you guys are even from the same country".

This previously congenial colleague flies off the handle, extremely offended, and accusing you of racism, calling you a racist. You immediately try to sooth the situation, apologizing, but the co-worker has trouble getting over it. Other co-workers are dumbfounded at the fellows reaction too.

I voted "other": No, this is not racism.
 
For some reason "no" wasn't on the list.

Unless the guy making the comment was a Democrat. We all know what racists they are.
 
The guy in question has no history of making racist remarks and is pretty easy going and friendly. The remark was entirely off the cuff.

For some reason "no" wasn't on the list.

Unless the guy making the comment was a Democrat. We all know what racists they are.

Whoops, :doh. I sometimes get too creative with my polls! :lol:
 
''If anything the Filipino guy is way to sensitive ''

This brings up another thought I have been having. How does a person lose this sensitivity, after they have become allergic to certain comments and behaviours that have happened to them a bit too much? I am not expecting an answer to this, as nobody I asked has yet been able to answer it, but if anyone wants to give it a shot...



I have a friend who is a psychologist. She says the strong feelings that come up when racial comments are made are 90% caused by what has happened in a persons past, and only 10% by what caused the outburst/reaction.



''Throwing out the Race card is highly inflammatory, I must say. Accusing someone of racism should be done lightly or on the spur of the moment. ''

Have you succeeded in responding lightly to something which irritates the hell out of you? And, what if a possible threat is involved. This is the case with race comments. A person might want to shut up anyone making generalisings and others latching on to the generalisions, in case it starts becomming a work place 'truth', just because it is said often enough.



''That's very true, hearing things over and over again might make folks overly sensitive and prone to over reacting''

I personally would apologise again, but keep it very simple, so he does not have something else to be p*ssed of at you about. I had a situation where I made a joke at work which I didnt think anybody could take seriously. Apparently somebody did, and the boss asked me to apologise. I apologised, because it is sometimes the simplest way to resolve things. Afterall, I really did not mean to piss off a colleague, so I could at least be sorry about that much.



''I think White people are, in general, sick of the term racism being thrown out at the drop of a hat. ''

It is the price society will have to pay for a while, for hundreds of years of oppression. Best be careful not to prolong it, by putting more racism or even what can be peceived as racism out there.
 
''If anything the Filipino guy is way to sensitive ''

This brings up another thought I have been having. How does a person lose this sensitivity, after they have become allergic to certain comments and behaviours that have happened to them a bit too much? I am not expecting an answer to this, as nobody I asked has yet been able to answer it, but if anyone wants to give it a shot...



I have a friend who is a psychologist. She says the strong feelings that come up when racial comments are made are 90% caused by what has happened in a persons past, and only 10% by what caused the outburst/reaction.



''Throwing out the Race card is highly inflammatory, I must say. Accusing someone of racism should be done lightly or on the spur of the moment. ''

Have you succeeded in responding lightly to something which irritates the hell out of you? And, what if a possible threat is involved. This is the case with race comments. A person might want to shut up anyone making generalisings and others latching on to the generalisions, in case it starts becomming a work place 'truth', just because it is said often enough.



''That's very true, hearing things over and over again might make folks overly sensitive and prone to over reacting''

I personally would apologise again, but keep it very simple, so he does not have something else to be p*ssed of at you about. I had a situation where I made a joke at work which I didnt think anybody could take seriously. Apparently somebody did, and the boss asked me to apologise. I apologised, because it is sometimes the simplest way to resolve things. Afterall, I really did not mean to piss off a colleague, so I could at least be sorry about that much.



''I think White people are, in general, sick of the term racism being thrown out at the drop of a hat. ''

It is the price society will have to pay for a while, for hundreds of years of oppression. Best be careful not to prolong it, by putting more racism or even what can be peceived as racism out there.

Holy crap. I really don't mean any offense to you personally, but that has got to be the biggest load of PC racist crap I've seen in awhile.

**** that bull****. People need to get over themselves and realize they don't have a right not to be offended. And being offended is a choice THEY make for themselves. Especially their reaction to it.
 
Let's say you are receiving a verbal report from a fellow from a another country originally, along with a handwritten reference sheet. This guy is from the Philippines. You can never read this fellow's handwriting. You tell him that his handwriting is difficult to read, and jokingly compare it to another co-worker's (well known to everyone) bad handwriting, who is also happens to be from the Philippines. Then you good humoredly note "you guys are even from the same country".

This previously congenial colleague flies off the handle, extremely offended, and accusing you of racism, calling you a racist. You immediately try to sooth the situation, apologizing, but the co-worker has trouble getting over it. Other co-workers are dumbfounded at the fellows reaction too.

There simply is NO racism here.
Maybe a lack of sensitivity, but then this so-called offended man has skin that is too thin.
A note to all men - break out the mirrors, look and think..
Do I see a robot, a perfect specimen, or do I see a man?
Then, break out the dictionary and look up definitions...
With knowledge comes understanding, and a better world.

''I think White people are, in general, sick of the term racism being thrown out at the drop of a hat. ''
"White people"??
IMO, this, by itself, is racist.

But, I for one, am tired of people acting like fools.
 
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Let's say you are receiving a verbal report from a fellow from a another country originally, along with a handwritten reference sheet. This guy is from the Philippines. You can never read this fellow's handwriting. You tell him that his handwriting is difficult to read, and jokingly compare it to another co-worker's (well known to everyone) bad handwriting, who is also happens to befrom the Philippines. Then you good humoredly note "you guys are even from the same country".

This previously congenial colleague flies off the handle, extremely offended, and accusing you of racism, calling you a racist. You immediately try to sooth the situation, apologizing, but the co-worker has trouble getting over it. Other co-workers are dumbfounded at the fellows reaction too.

If he's Philipino, his reaction probably has little to do with his race and much to do with the fact that he is likely a flaming drama queen like most Philipino's I have ever met.

I'm serious: I have met one straight philipino in my life. And even he was questionable.
 
''If anything the Filipino guy is way to sensitive ''

This brings up another thought I have been having. How does a person lose this sensitivity, after they have become allergic to certain comments and behaviours that have happened to them a bit too much? I am not expecting an answer to this, as nobody I asked has yet been able to answer it, but if anyone wants to give it a shot...



I have a friend who is a psychologist. She says the strong feelings that come up when racial comments are made are 90% caused by what has happened in a persons past, and only 10% by what caused the outburst/reaction.



''Throwing out the Race card is highly inflammatory, I must say. Accusing someone of racism should be done lightly or on the spur of the moment. ''

Have you succeeded in responding lightly to something which irritates the hell out of you? And, what if a possible threat is involved. This is the case with race comments. A person might want to shut up anyone making generalisings and others latching on to the generalisions, in case it starts becomming a work place 'truth', just because it is said often enough.



''That's very true, hearing things over and over again might make folks overly sensitive and prone to over reacting''

I personally would apologise again, but keep it very simple, so he does not have something else to be p*ssed of at you about. I had a situation where I made a joke at work which I didnt think anybody could take seriously. Apparently somebody did, and the boss asked me to apologise. I apologised, because it is sometimes the simplest way to resolve things. Afterall, I really did not mean to piss off a colleague, so I could at least be sorry about that much.



''I think White people are, in general, sick of the term racism being thrown out at the drop of a hat. ''

It is the price society will have to pay for a while, for hundreds of years of oppression. Best be careful not to prolong it, by putting more racism or even what can be peceived as racism out there.

Can I ask you a question in all sincerity? Why should he apologize because Flipper got butthurt over nothing? I tend to think that all the unwarranted apologies and catering to the narcissistic view that everything is centered on a person's sensibilities is the cause for the race card being played all the time as it is.
 
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I don't even think what MyOwnDrum said was the least bit insensitive. He was making a joke, for ****s sake.

Just the other day I was out with my co-workers having a drink, including the Irish guy I work with. (whose accent makes me weak in the knees, but I digress... ) He's telling this story about how he thinks we're too soft on kids here in the US. About how in Ireland, if kids do ****ty in some sport, they'd throw rocks at them and how in the US we give ****ty kids trophies. I said something about there being a 'happy medium' between the two. He chuckled and said, "Well, we wouldn't actually throw rocks..." and before he could finish I interjected, "You'd throw potatoes?" Everyone at the table busted out laughing and he did his damndest NOT to laugh and just TRY to pretend to be offended while he rattled off about Irish stereotypes and told me, "póg mo thóin".

People CHOOSE to get offended. People like that guy in the OP are only harming themselves by being pissed off all the time. He'd be so much better off mentally, and probably physically, if he laughed instead of angered.

Laughter is the best medicine....Confucuous
Knowledge makes the world a better place....earthworm
Openness causes little scratches, but fear and ignorance cause death...anonymous...and wise...:rofl:spin:
 
No, not racism...just another overly sensitive jackass exploiting his perceived 'victim' status.
 
''Why should he apologize because Flipper got butthurt over nothing? ''

There isnt really a should about it. It is just the way I would handle it. There is no point in arguing with a persons feelings. If they are pissed off, then they are pissed off... But, there is a point in resolving work place tension, because you have to work there everyday. Getting defensive or aggressive just escalates the situation. The last thing I would want is my time being wasted with a 'he said this, she said that' scene with a manager trying to mediate it. It would not make either me or my colleague look good.



Anyway, it is plain weird that people are making more of an issue out of people ''playing the race card'', than they are about rascism. Maybe this site is top heavy in white people. And, it will be unlikely to change, if racial issues are not discussed with more openmindedness and patience. It is the same with womens issues. I often wonder if the amount of abuse hurled at the feminists is absolutely necessary, in order to have a discussion about womens rights. Maybe this site is top heavy in white males.
 
Apoligizing to people like the Filipino guy in the example only empowers them and their immaturity. People don't have the right to never be offended. We have the right to live in a mature society were adults will act like adults and not get hurt over the slightest comment.
 
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