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What To Do When Someone Tells a Racist Joke
Aug 1Carmen Van Kerckhove at Race in the Workplace wrote a powerful post called “How to respond to a racist joke at work.” Please go over and read it. I think her “play dumb” strategy is just inspired.
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Frank Roche
Frank started IFRACTAL over 7 years ago with Sarah Chambers. Together, they've created HR communications and HR software for some of the world's leading companies. Frank is also studying Flamenco guitar and origami.
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Thanks so much for the shout-out!
Carmen, it’s really brilliant stuff. Cheers.
“Playing dumb” really is a great idea. I think it will help me deal with so many things beyond racist jokes, too. Anti-gay jokes/joking/commentary are also a huge problem in my work life, extended family, etc., and having a good response ready to the inappropriate comments, jokes, questions, etc. that can come up is going to be an invaluable tool, ESPECIALLY as i try to learn to model appropriate ways to handle these things in front of my now 16 month old son (of another race than me, a single white lesbian mom).
Hi Georgette, I thought this approach really can work. We’re always so much better off when we’re prepared for anti-gay/racist/sexist speech. You’ve probably heard it all, but it’s nice to be able to say, “What do you mean by that? What’s the funny part?” I just love the idea of calling people on stuff in a way that is both unsettling and constructive. A lot of prejudice is just ignorance. We can all work together to fix that part. The really bad people…they just have to go away.
Thanks much for your comment. I’m glad this is an idea for you to have. And congrats on your son! That’s a wonderful age. Cheers to you and your wonderful family.
That’s the dumbest solution I’ve ever heard. Pretending not to get a joke is a joke in and of itself. At best, it’s you who ends up looking the fool for not getting.
Here’s an idea: grow a backbone and instead of playing stupid games with people you find offensive, tell them you’re offended, and don’t want to hear it again. They’ll forgive you, and if they don’t, who cares? they’re a racist.
I saw Carmen on CNN (Feb. 21, 2009). I am chairperson for the Civil
Rights Committee for my union (CWA/IUE – Local 201) at General Electric
in Lynn, Mass. I am of the belief that, if you don’t let someone talk a-
bout ethnic jokes, feelings won’t be hurt or offended. I have worked at
G.E. for 36 years, but I have been almost 20 years on the Civil Rights
Committee.
Alan, I’m with you. Carmen is leading in a very good way…and I think it’s unacceptable to look around, then tell a joke. It’s hidden racism/sexism. Just make it go away…then no look arounds are needed. Thanks for stopping by KnowHR. I appreciate it!