Racism - where did it come from?

[Gormless]

So, listening to C4 News now, there is the same old mantra, racial discrimination against blacks in the NHS, blacks are disproportionately represented in this and that, blacks are under-represented in management, etc etc and it goes on and on and on.

Why though?

Why do white, black, brown, yellow people not get on?

Because they are different, that's why. Britain however, will continue to charge blindly down the multi-cultural path and try to force the impossible. If you work in the NHS, expect therefore to see loads more black and ethnic minority managers. The appointments will be made on the basis of race rather than ability.

Which is racism isn't it.....?

[123everton]

Dunno where this report is coming from, you can't move in a hospital for ethnic minority staff.
Indians and Chinese do very well in corporations and business, Africans (born Africans) also do well as they value education and hard work.
In Britain if you are willing to work and try hard you can advance.
The problem is that we have what seems like a whole generation (regardless of colour) of deadbeats who are unemployable.
Business only favours one colour, the colour of money.

[funnygirl]

Speaking as a black person, I would hate to get a job just to 'make up the numbers'

I think everybody should be judged on experience.

What is so great about working for the NHS anyway???

I love yellow people, especially their food!!!

[mirela]

i love funny xxx ::)

[funnygirl]

Love you too darling. XXX :-)

[Rtaxron]

My gardens green!

[firetracie]

I work for a reasonably sized company (>700 employees) and we recruited for 36 positions last year.

We request data on ethnicity on the application form. This is monitored and available to anyone who asks. Out of the 36 positions - for which we received 847 applications - less than1% were from 'ethnic minority' applicants.

You can't recruit those who don't apply and to favour applications from any sector is discrimination.

[funnygirl]

That is true Firetracie and it annoys me when we have to declare our ethnic origin.
It makes us feel that we are being discriminated against, before we get to the interview stage.
Why the need for all these companies to get black people working for them??

Isn't like they are feeling sorry for us!!

P.S. I think I will try for one of those jobs in the NHS, I fancy being a Manager and despite the fact I've never done it before, shouldn't be a handicap!!!!

[123everton]

I work with lots of people (300 plus) of all creeds and colours, quite a few women too.
You should take a minute to smell the flowers rather than the manure.

[firetracie]

Hi funnygirl. The answer is we have too.

We have to prove that we are not discriminating against those of non-white, non-british origin and we are required to compile data to prove it - it's the sector in which we work which means we're asked for this information.

By the way - as this data is removed from all application forms before they are passed to the relevant department for evaluation / interview etc. when we actually appoint somebody we are required to request this information again for our employee statistics. It's got to the stage where less than 1% of new recruits actually complete and return this form - they are not required to supply it at any stage of the process - but as an employer, we are required to request it.

If you don't want to supply this information you do not have to.

[EngTeach]

We have the same problem in the states. For example: The NYC Fire Department is constantly under fire for not having enough minorities on the job. It is like what firetracie posted. They don't apply in as great numbers as whites do. And like any percentage of people in a group some fail the tests too. The city actually considered lowering the score for monorities. Not lowering it across the board, but just for minorities. This did not happen, but the fact that it was even considered is ridiculous. They don't lower the strength requirements for women b/c they must be able to haul the equiptnment and people they save, so one should also have the brain power to the job the same as anyone else. There are no easy answers here, but making allowances based on race is what many Civil Rights fights were against.