Re: discrimination: a way of life or a problem that needs fixing
Racism, discrimination, bigotry , sectarianism , segregation and unfairness . You name it and you face it in every aspect of your daily life. People discriminate others on basis of their color , nationality , creed and religion.
The best way to keep yourself out of trouble is to ignore these morons , empty vessels make more noise and to me racist people are not valued more then that .
As , I happen to be the only Muslim , brown skinned fella at my work place , I often ended up facing these half-witted situations on daily basis . When ever I go for a cuppa, my little walk to canteen always finish up rabbiting with some radio rentals .
Things not concerning me are asked so I can ralph some thing , they can discuss, while sipping their pints after work. Like yesterday , Alan asked me how do I feel about these Sikh fellas ( he actually used the word rag-heads) , as these days new Sikh recruits in Garda ( Irish police) are demanding for a permission to wear their turbans while they are on duty .So you been asked such things to judge your thinking and mentality. You cant do much here . Just ignore them !
Now , that Bin picking thing will only happen if you let it happen , its not racism , it bullying and it could happen to any one , white , brown and black . On foreign soil or at your home land. At work, one has to draw his lines and should strictly observe them . Like I don’t mind grabbing a cup of coffee for any one if I m going to get one for myself, I guess I m the only one at my work place who cleans his table and empty his paper bin at end of the day . But then this is my nature , I cant stand messy places , so rather asking or waiting for cleaner to do it , I just do it , doesn’t take me long and that’s fair enough. Lakin if some one else ask me do it for him, he is not simply getting it as it doesn’t come in my job description.
Desi people are often get bullied easily by white ones. I say lack of communication and shyness also plays a great role in it. We, desi people keep our selves isolated and separated from our colleagues and in that frozen state ended up being ignored and marginalized. Doing extra work, we shouldn’t be doing and never get credit for that.
Studies done on immigrant employees have clearly shown us that majority of them have no clue that they have been bullied or if they got a clue , they just ignore it , in attempt of getting success in short term , they are always willing to do things , they shouldn’t be doing .
Now coming back to your question , what should one do to encounter these silly acts.
I believe, you always get what you ask for. You have to stand for yourself and tell them that you may belong to a third world country but you know what self respect and dignity means for an individual .
Consider yourself as an ambassador of your country , community and religion , don’t engaged yourself in things for achieving personal gains if they bad for the image you want to build for yourself and your crowd . Think more in broader prospective.
It is indeed really annoying , when you aint guilty but treated suspiciously just because of your color and religion . So when ever it happens , be patient and meek , let them do their job and you do yours . Here , you job is not to engage yourself in any sort of criminal activities and keep asking Allah for his guidance , my Lord never test any one beyond his/her capabilities .If not in this life , in life after you will be rewarded for your good deeds and sufferings .