ESRL Asks: In there a fight back or real push back against RACISM or just smokescreens?

The topical question is posted from military postures that undergirds governance of human society to highlight this grave matter of RACISM in work place.  ESRL makes this association because employment is the highest human endeavour to produce in an ordered way err militarily organised.

WHY or WHAT is MILITARY? In this limited context at work places, it is about all sorts of low-level adversarial power play amongst different skin colours, which outcome:- to take or join the given winning side of non-black skin.  Under this aegis are SMOKE SCREENS, to quote: (i) ‘a mass of dense artificial smoke used to conceal military areas or operations from an enemy’ (ii) ‘An action or statement used to conceal actual plans or intentions.

The above describes the work place ‘operations/staff manual’ and the four smokescreen scenarios below – all well-concealed with attendant threats and chilling consequences if one falls out-of-line.  The construction is premised on adversarial relationship that cascades from top-down – no prizes for guessing who is usually at the bottom.  The judgement on when the shots are fired across the bow is skewed by ‘what colour’ is on the offending ‘ship’ – who is down/bottom.

  1. When hostilities are at their zenith ‘shots are fired across the bow’  ‘…this expression derives from the naval practice of firing a cannon shot across the bows of an opponent’s ship to show them that you are prepared to do battle’ – ala Gen Hitler/Emperor Napoleon posture.
  2. When potential powers are waning ‘alliances are formed to shore up’  ala North Atlantic Treaty Organisation [NATO] spectre is displayed.
  3. When the battle is lost a ‘surrender flag is hoisted  – ala The battle of Waterloo spirit’
  4. When it dawns that all will lose the contest of wills, a ‘win-win’ dice is placed on the table – ala mini-United Nations.

In work places, these smokescreens hide the tug-of-war RACISM / RACE-ISM contests, which consequences are to humiliate, embarrass, and trash, ‘by any means necessary’, those at the bottom of the employment ladder.  In this power-play all employers are oblivious of the common danger lurking underneath i.e. poor productivity, inefficiency, shoddy products, job loses, lack of creativity, environmental degradation from wastefulness, poor this; poor that; worse this; worse that; etc., etc., pose to both the winners and losers.

Richard Rorty
‘Contingency, irony, solidarity’

ESRL asserts that The Equalities Act 2010 is in place to remind employers of the need to address RACISM / RACE-ism – a subtle platform of adversarial relationship in work place and negative consequences for employers.  This Act is ‘a consequence of experiences of social disintegration…..’ from wars, conflicts, fights, push-backs, etc.  It encourages employers that ‘doubts about human characters and cultures can be solved or assuaged only by enlarging acquaintances….’  (Rorty 1989).  It beseeches employers to encourage the oppressed to express their voice, along the adage ‘the wearer of the shoe knows where it pinches’, well aware that shoe-designers wield the power and capacity to make amends.

The appended reading provoked all sorts of adversarial adjectives err ammunitions mastered and sharpened by the English language, loaded and fired into those experiencing racism/race-ism.  Below are sampled highlights:

“Equality Impact Assessment…” – a soft way of saying the bodily blow on the effected by racists.

“For several years, with your support, we have stood with those who have suffered unnecessarily as a result of recent anti-discrimination legislation and sought to expose the incoherency, instability and unfairness of the ‘equalities’ framework….”. – A soft way of saying we have been brutalised, pulverised, and lost the will to live.

“We know that race hate crime is the highest recorded form of hate crime…..”.  A soft way of saying there are bodies out there because of racist assaults.

Jack Alecho-oita, a director at Equalities Sensitivity Rating Ltd comments as follows:

“The nature of tall structures in employment is associated with what one Geert Hofstede called ‘Power Distance’ – an enjoyable authoritarian hierarchy in which subordinates, in this context, workers unquestionably submit to authority.  Up the ladder, ‘cruelty is not challenged….’; ‘kindness is not dispensed….’; and ‘it’s my way or the highway….’.”

“Well below or at the lowest rung of the ladder as always are black people who have to brave all sorts of fallouts from the top hitting them on the head; and sacrifice their meaningful engagements and gainful living for other’s failures at work place to deliver corporate objectives…. – first out of the door.”

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 military postures to explain RACISM.

Consider equalities before you carry on… Video clip by Chair of the Equalities Strategy Board   ‘As part of Equalities and Diversity Week today you can listen to a short podcast by Maria Walker. ,. Director of EL&L and Chair of the Equalities…’  Arcadia Lite – All the best bits of Arcadia outside of work. ⋅ Aberdeenshire News

Supreme Court Judge in striking admission of problems for Christians under equalities law…  ‘Baroness Hale, the Deputy President of the UK Supreme Court, has used a speech at the prestigious Yale Law School to highlight the problems faced    ‘  Christian Concern

Wales fights racism…  ‘The Welsh Government is committed to race equality and the elimination of all forms of racism in Wales, Equalities Minister Jeff Cuthbert will say today…’  . News Wales

Women should try CHEERLEADING so they can look ‘gorgeous’, says Helen Grant..  ‘The sports and equalities minister said there are plenty of feminine sports which allow girls to look ‘radiant’, such as cheerleading, ballet and…’  Daily Mail

‘Gypsy and traveller sites discussion used as political football’…  ‘The men said they have contacted the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to raise their concerns about campaigning “that may have a…’  This is Local London

Victoria’s Secret to release Oxford University inspired range..  ‘Amelia Tudor Beamish, JCR Equalities Representative at Queen’s, commented “Victoria’s Secret may be known for their less-than-progressive…  ‘   Oxford Student

Pilton Equalities Project win a Weatherseal grant..  ‘Scotland’s biggest home energy company Weatherseal are delighted to announce that Pilton Equalities Project has been chosen to receive a grant…’  The Edinburgh Reporter

WPR Celebrate Golden Anniversary and Encourage Networking for Women..  ‘As Minister for Women and Equalities I am acutely aware of the under representation of women in senior positions in many professions. “PR is rich in…’  DigitalJournal.com

Views sought on equality in Aberdeenshire..  ‘Print this. North-east residents are being asked to give their views on equalities in Aberdeenshire by the Grampian Regional Equality Council (GREC)…’  Inverurie Herald

Cumbria children’s centres achieve the EQualities Award | EQualities Award Blog..  ‘We are delighted to announce that all 28 children’s centres in Cumbria were presented with the EQualitiesAward this week at Kendal’s County Hall by…’  EQualities Award Blog ⋅ EQualities Team

Bank pledges jobs for women..  ‘The move comes after Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon proposed that the SNP, if given responsibility for equalities, would set a mandatory target…’  Herald Scotland

Trust ‘hid nepotism claim’ against national equalitieschief…  ‘South Devon Healthcare Foundation Trust attempted to cover up a report that contained accusations of “nepotism” against its chief executive, a former…’  Nursing Times – 

New row over leisure deal as Town Hall admit they failed to assess   ‘During last Thursday’s scrutiny meeting, Labour councillor Claudia Webbe asked whether the ruling executive had seen the equalities impact…’   Islington Tribune newspaper website – 

Trust ‘hid nepotism claim’ against national equalitieschief…  ‘Trust ‘hid nepotism claim’ against national equalities chief. 30 January, 2014 | By Sophie Barnes. South Devon Healthcare Trust attempted to cover up…’  Health Service Journal – 

UK to give cash and support to Russian gays..  ‘Culture Secretary and Equalities Minister Maria Miller said it was important to use the opportunity of the Winter Olympic Games to underline the…’  Gay Star News

UK government channeling support to Russian LGBT activists to   ‘The UK’s Minister for Equalities, Maria Miller, who will be representing the British government at next week’s Winter Olympic Games in Sochi has…’  PinkNews.co.uk – 

LibDem deputy vote criticised…  ‘But Gloria De Piero, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, was critical. “This result comes as little surprise when you remember Nick…’  Herald Scotland – 

McDonagh, S – Certificate in Knowledge of Policing (equalities   ‘She highlighted complaints about the Certificate, which she called the “bobby tax”, and said that this presented equalities issues. She called for it to be…’  DeHavilland (press release) (subscription)

Scottish independence: Women’s vision outlined…  ‘Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon argued that a yes vote in September would bring gains in childcare, the minimum wage, equalities issues,   ‘ Scotsman – 

The best events in Brighton, Hove and Sussex..   ‘We’re all mindful about equalities but the patronising way they have crudely  who was the only one to respond, said: “Equalities training is important…’  The Argus

Rebecca Blake lends support to Labour’s new campaign…  ‘Ms Blake was joined by Redditch Council leader Bill Hartnett and Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Gloria de Piero in Church..’  Redditch Advertiser – 

ProfHastings’ blog: Inequalities and Equalities for families of people   ‘Inequalities and Equalities for families of people with intellectual disability. I was delighted to be asked in December 2013 to provide some brief…’  ProfHastings – 

No reports of dropped needles at Surbiton Health Centre…  ‘A £40,000 equalities assessment is underway as part of a review looking at whether wellbeing services can be moved from the Ewell Road site…’  Your Local Guardian

Ofsted requirements and the EQualities Audit Tool | EQualities   ‘EQualities Award Blog  About the EQualities Award  Centres and also for those thinking about working towards the EQualities Award this year…’  EQualities Team

Bringing babies into the Commons: Has this MP gone gaga?Telegraph.co.uk…  ‘As the equalities minister, Jo Swinson might be expected to bang the drum for working mums. And now that she and her fellow Lib Dem MP husband 

Head of Equalities and Diversity…  ‘An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Equalities and Diversity professional to lead our organisation-wide E&D function. The Head of  DiversityLink

Parents ‘face too much guilt over breastfeeding and work’ …  While she is away, her ministerial work on employment relations, consumer affairs, women and equalities is being covered by Jenny Willott, one of her…’  The Guardian

Deaf people slam equalities watchdog as lack of sign translator   ‘Furious deaf people slammed the Equal Opportunities Commission yesterday after it failed to provide a sign-language translator – to hear complaints 

UK equalities minister to attend Russian Winter Olympics…   ‘Helen Grant MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism & Equalities, will visit games following announcement that UK Prime Minister David Cameron will not…’  Gay Star News

Councillor to have diversity training after golliwog remarks…  ‘She was cleared of failing to treat others with respect and breaching theEqualities Act and the panel also recommended all councillors should have Telegraph.co.uk

Equalities Minister Jo Swinson demands ban on ‘insulting’ words …  ‘The Equalities Minister said that such terms are “insulting” and damaging to people’s confidence. She urged women and child-ren to ban them from…’  Daily Star

Swinson’s Christmas delivery…  ‘EQUALITIES minister Jo Swinson has spent her first Christmas as a mother, after announcing on Christmas Eve she had given birth to a baby boy….’  Herald Scotland

Terence Blacker: The top 13 words and expressions to be excluded   ‘Just as many of us are enjoying a few moments of annual over-indulgence, theEqualities Minister Jo Swinson has put a damper on things…’  The Independent (blog)

Equalities watchdog plans new study on sexual discrimination…  ‘The equalities watchdog hopes to undertake a study addressing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, its chief said….’   South China Morning Post

Poor body image linked to ‘drug and alcohol abuse’….  ‘five-year period, regardless of their body mass index, the report from 14 leading academics backed by equalities minister Jo Swinson reveals today…’   Telegraph.co.uk.

Your Interview: Brighton and Hove registrar Trevor Love answers   ‘Equalities minister Maria Miller announced last Tuesday that gay couples in England and Wales would be legally allowed to get married as of March…’  The Argus