ESRL ASKS: Is RACISM in Employment being Dry-cleaned!!

This question is best unpacked by the following scenario:

The scenario:  Take a machine called ‘dry-cleaner’ that expels dirt from clothing without using water.  This tech-wizard is a marvel for its’ minimalist use of resources, time; and is environmentally friendly.  The clothes do get old as a matter of course and replaced by new ones as a necessity.

The substitute in employment to the above scenario is as follows:

The Substitute:  If ‘dirt’ is a ‘black’ employee; Tech-wizardry is spreading ‘racism’ so thin and unrecognisably using ‘ear-friendly’ words/phrases; ‘old’ is old racism’ replaced by ‘new racism’ soft to the ears and eyes. 

The above scenario and substitute is unsuspectingly played out in public lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, awareness campaigns, media ads, and; powerful/moving political speeches on equalities issues where all types of  tech-wizardry is used to persuade the offended that ‘racism’ is ‘drying up’.

ESRL suggest that in employment technology is being used to construct and churn-out ‘friendly/inoffensive’ words/phrases for purposes of spreading racism so thin and unrecognisable i.e. soft to ears and the eyes.  Where, at the push of a button on a Google Search, an employer can have combinations of words/phrases for addressing or to dress-up any emotional injuries arising from racism or discriminatory practices; the offended are not likely to easily recognise that ‘old racism’ is being dried and ‘new/sophisticated/ gleaming racism’ is being produced.

ESRL’s worry, in this context is that the UK Equalities Act 2010 constructed to persuade employers to be sensitive to identified equalities characteristics will in time be ‘dry-cleaned’.  The caveat in the UK Equalities Act 2010 that ‘A failure in respect of a performance of a duty under section 1 does not confer a cause of action at private law’ will be ‘refreshed’, leaving the affected employees experiencing racism worse off.

The following selected range of phrases/words capture some use of technology in dry-cleaning racism in employment:  

  • ‘…am good judge of capability and I say you cannot do it… ’ – a black-skinned person exceling in use of technology is less black. 
  • ‘…a good or commendable piece of work or picture but could do with some improvements …’ implying black value judgement must be pass acceptability test.
  • ‘…racist offences at work place is depended on the words/phrases used to describe the incident….’  implying technology is available to put together a combination(s) of less or inoffensive or acceptable words/phrases.
  • ‘…no!! no!! no!! no!!! it’s not because they don’t like me, but because they don’t like the way I look…’   implying technology is helpful in splitting a black person into ‘a person’ and ‘look’.
  • ‘…is becoming less and less white….’ implying black can also be white’
  • ‘…you are not genuine black….’ implying you are more white than black.
  • Etc., etc.

ESRL argues that racists are employing technology to find or hide innate racism or racist tendencies. 

Alecho-oita, a director at Equalities Sensitivity Rating comments as follows;

‘Unfortunately, the natural fault line of ‘black skin’ and ‘the rest’ clearly identifies the starting point for ‘racism’.  This is complemented by histories showing that the socio-economic and political path of human development of, for, and by black people were stunted by ‘the rest’…’  The task for ‘the rest’ is how to maintain their ‘socio-economic and political control hence the use of technology to dry-clean racism.  It is about ‘the rest’ wanting to appear caring about black skinned people…’ ‘… I rest my case’.

Editors Notes:

  1. Mr Alecho-oita is available for interviews on 0044-798-459-4876 or jack.a@equalitiessensitivityrating.com.
  2. ESRL can be mailed at info@equalitiessensitivityrating.com
  3. Below are sampled sources which triggered the question on ‘the prevalent use of technology in dry-cleaning racism in employment’:

Racism exists in Hindi film industry: “Mumbai: Be it off-screen or onscreen, Bollywood has an ugly belly that hides innumerable tales of racism and elitism, especially against outsiders….”.  Jagran Post

Belgian newspaper De Morgen accused of racism over picture showing Obama as an ape….“A Belgian newspaper has been accused of racism after it published a picture depicting US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama …” The Independent

Anti-racism event celebrates Regina’s multiculturalism … ‘Hundreds of people gathered at the Italian Club in Regina Sunday to celebrate the 15th year of the Spring Free From Racism event…’. Judy Cobsar is  CBC.ca

Anger Rises Over Racism in India: ‘A photograph of Nido Taniam who was killed in a racist attack is displayed at the Arunachal Bhawan in New Delhi. Credit…..’: Bijoyeta Das/IPS. Inter Press Service

Racism is not a thing of the past:  ‘Reading chapters about racism towards blacks in American history textbooks, I thank God that I did not live in an era in which the worst occurred …..‘.  Flagler College Gargoyle

Comment: Opening the floodgates of racism and bigotry:  The Abbott Government has opened the floodgates for racism and bigotry. Under the proposed amendment to the Racial Discrimination Act released SBS (blog)

Brazilian club fined $21000 for fans’ racism: ‘SAO PAULO — A sports tribunal has fined Brazilian club Mogi Mirim $21,000 because its fans racially abused an opposing player in a Sao Paulo state …’ Boston Herald

Dark side of Bollywood: Racism exists in Hindi film industry:  ‘ In a country obsessed with fair skin, it is perhaps no wonder that Bollywood has still not managed to steer away from racism. Time and again, dusky …’   Mid-Day

Peruvian club fined $12000 for racist fan chants : ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) – Peruvian club Real Garcilaso has been fined $12,000 following an incident last month in which club supporters racially …’   SI.com

YWCA to host “Stand Against Racism” luncheon : ‘Kelly Bah, the Canton YWCA’s new executive director, said the event is an outgrowth of national YWCA’s mission: “Eliminating Racism. Empowering …’ Canton Repository

Unite Against Fascism | Ten thousand join UN Anti-Racism day demo: ‘Around ten thousand people participated in the Stand up to Racism & Fascism demonstration on Saturday 22 March 2014. The event coincided with …’ Unite Against Fascism ⋅ Sabby

Racism Forces Soccer Team To Play in an Empty Stadium – Kotaku: ‘Earlier this month, a banner reading “Japanese Only” hung inside Saitama Stadium 2002. The incident led to the Urawa Red Diamonds soccer team …’ Kotaku ⋅ Brian Ashcraft

Do Blacks Endorse White Privilege and Color-blind Racism? : This blog is a description and review of pages xiii-99 in Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in …’ KI EcoCenter KI EcoCenter ⋅ Mary Priester

Diane Abbott Accuses Ukip Of ‘Sinking To Gutter’ By Appealing To Racism At London Rally | The  ‘Speaking at an anti-racism rally in central London, the Labour MP denied that the rising popularity of Nigel Farage’s right wing movement was a …’ The Monitoring Group ⋅ admin

CMRB Event: Gender, Fundamentalism and Racism | Refugee Archives @ UEL:  ‘Faith, the new Border Agent for Immigration: Perpetuating sexism and inter-community racism within faith based organisations–an East London case …/’ Refugee Archives @ UEL ⋅ Paul Dudman

RACISM SURFACES AGAIN AT NEW YORK TIMES | Desertpeace: ‘’All the racism that’s fit to print’ …. OR NOT! * The Times must apologize to all its readers, especially to those who are “Palestinian Arabs,” and the …’  Desertpeace ⋅ desertpeace

Blazing Cat Fur: Montreal march protests colonialism, racism, and Quebec Charter:  ‘On March 21, demonstrators gathered at the Mont Royal metro station for a demonstration and march against colonialism, racism, and the proposed …’  Blazing Cat Fur ⋅ Frau Katze

Inity Weekly | Racism & Gentrification: Silent Conquerors : ‘Racism is warfare. Dr. Claude A. Anderson defines racism in a Marxist fashion, calling it a group sport whereby groups of people of common heritage …’  Inity Weekly ⋅ InityWeekly

GayPatriot » Another racism hoax : ‘The year 2013 saw the Oberlin College racism hoax (which I commented on, here). Ugly, hateful racial comments appeared on the Oberlin campus, …’  GayPatriot ⋅ Jeff (ILoveCapitalism)

Racism in High School Sports: Sign of a Bigger Problem: ‘Have you ever Googled the terms “racism” and “high school sports”? Well, if you ever wanted to lose faith in humanity a few degrees more than you …’ The Root

Racism on the rise in India:  NEW DELHI – L Khino, 27, vividly remembers Christmas Eve at the Indian capital’s famed Connaught Place shopping hub four years ago: the blinking …’  Asia Times Online

Campaigners march against racism: ‘About 10,000 people took part in the Stand Up to Racism and Fascism protest in London last Saturday. Over 1,000 protested in Glasgow and up to …’ Independent Catholic News

Claims of racism more damaging than the real thing : ‘IT is time for some plain talk about racism, vilification, offence, hurt feelings and personal responsibility, given recent discussions about section 18C of …’ The Australian

Filipinos in London march vs racism: ‘ This was the clear message from last week’s anti-racism protest in the British capital, where people from different backgrounds showed a united stance …’ ABS CBN News

Musical is little more than staged racism: ‘What is most shocking about Joan Vennochi’s argument about the “Thoroughly Modern Millie” controversy in Newton is her attempt to substitute …’ Boston Globe

Lincoln anti-racist protestors march on London : ‘Dozens of anti-racist protestors took to their message to the streets of London at the weekend as part of a national demonstration. UNITE community …’  Lincolnshire Echo

Racism charges roil ethics debate over PUC official : ‘But some also leveled accusations of racism and hidden agendas. Among the flame-throwers were San Francisco NAACP President Rev….’

SFGate

Is Colourism the ‘New Racism‘ facing Aboriginal Peoples? | raygates.me: ‘ This has once again livened up the debate not just about racism within Australia, but social justice, political correctness and freedom of speech….’  raygates.me ⋅ Ray Gates

US remains deeply committed to fighting racism and racial discrimination » US Mission Geneva : /’Item 9 Statement. Delivered by Paula Schriefer Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Head of the U.S. Delegation to …’  US Mission Geneva ⋅ NP

CENSORED NEWS: OAKLAND SAN FRANCISCO Protest Racism in Sports spring 2014: “I’m Not Your Indian Anymore’ Retire Racism in Sports Protests March 31: Oakland Coliseum at box office. April 25: AT&T Park box office San …’ CENSORED NEWS ⋅ brendanorrell@gmail.com

Racism Bubbles To The Surface From Racists Submerged in Racist Slime. | Rodney L. Hurst, Sr: ‘From the article Racism At Center Of GOP Movement As More Whites Became Republican During Obama Years By: Justin Baragona Tuesday, March, …’ Rodney L. Hurst, Sr. ⋅ rodney_hurst