Do White People Really Find It Awkward And Uncomfortable To Work With Black People?

[sp1814]

According to Jeffery Tucker they do.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/newham-havering-racism-councillor-jeffrey-2840728

"[i[He slammed proposals to combine the back office services of Havering and Newham councils in east London in a bid to save cash".[i]

Which I find odd...because I've grown up in South London in a very racially diverse area, and throughout my working career, have worked with many racial groups, and have never felt 'awkward and uncomfortable.

Is Jeffery Tucker actually offending his fellow white councillor a, who wouldn't want to be associated with the remarks?

[China Doll]

The most I've ever struggled with is remembering not to offer crisps or sweets to my secretary during Ramada; I do it automatically and then feel bad while she just sits there and laughs at me.

[hc4361]

Good grief. Jeffery Tucker is offending everyone in that article.

[paddywak]

Not had a lot of experience,but I've found that they're the same as most workers some good,some bad,most just want to get on with their lives the same as everybody else.Personally I've never bothered about colour or race of a workmate.

[anotheoldgit]

Maybe it's the constant treading on 'broken glass' that they find uncomfortable?

[Gromit]

He is an Independent who has a history of making dodgy race related remarks.

http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/politics/rainham_and_wennington_councillor_jeff_tucker_cleared_of_misconduct_allegation_1_1733629

There may be many good reasons not to merge the two councils, but this isn't one of them.

[hc4361]

Why would anyone tread on glass in the workplace? I try to treat everyone with respect but still enjoy a laugh and joke.

Do you tread on glass when dealing with women, AOG? You know how quick they are to take offence when you're just being friendly, calling them 'love' and patting them on the bum.

[LazyGun]

Just seems to be him projecting his own concerns onto his colleagues in public, which is a mistake I think, and definitely doing many of his own colleagues a big disservice, which I doubt they will be thanking him for.

Treat individuals as individuals, not treat individuals based upon some sort of generic stereotype arising from your own fears and issues. More importantly, do not assume your own issues are shared by everyone around you. And most important of all, as a politician, think before making a public pronouncement which results in severe footinmouthitis.

[sp1814]

AOG

You suggested:

"Maybe it's the constant treading on 'broken glass' that they find uncomfortable?"

I'm not familiar with that metaphor - what does it mean?

Unless, of course, you mean 'egg shells'?

[Gromit]

Councillor Jeff is only saying wot you the residents want him to say...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwGIE728NAw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[mrs_overall]

A very long time ago I worked briefly in an all male environment - the men were all white apart from two blacks and one who was Asian.
We all got along just great apart from the Asian who refused to speak to me and he only spoke to the two black guys when absolutely forced to.
He was the most racist person I have ever met

[sp1814]

I've always found that if there's any cliques at work, it's normally based on the department you work in, rather than along racial lines.

As mrs_overall has pointed out, there are jerks in all races - but I believe racial tension in the workplace isn't as significant as it was say, in the 60s/70s.

[Sqad]

sp

\\\\ but I believe racial tension in the workplace isn't as significant as it was say, in the 60s/70s. \\\\

Yes, i think that you are probably right.

I have worked with many "black people" have had "black people" as acquaintances,but never had a "black person" as a friend.

Well yes i have ....one....many years ago....he was Indian, does he count as a "black person?"

[sp1814]

Sqad

Yes - that's weird thing. The company I work for has local offices all over the world, and I've never been aware of a single occasion where friction is based on race. I think what he said was extremely insulting to back office staff and you have to wonder - the demographics of Havering show that 16% of residents are non-white. Does Councillor Tucker feel awkward and uncomfortable dealing with them?

[anotheoldgit]

hc4361

/// You know how quick they are to take offence when you're just being friendly, calling them 'love' and patting them on the bum. ///

Interesting you pointing that out hc, i was once in a supermarket leaning over the shopping trolley (as you do) and My bum was well and truly smacked by an unknown female, who smiled and explained that "she just could not resist that".

Imagine if I happened to do the same to an unknown female, I would most likely now be on the sex offenders list.

Is that not a good example of Sexual inequality?

[Old_Geezer]

I think he is just being overly concerned. I suspect most will feel slightly uncomfortable in a situation where one is in the minority, especially if accents are difficult to understand: but folk do cope. If you have never known anything other than a balanced mix of races then maybe you are lucky not to feel like a fish out of water in those situations. Jeff clearly doesn't have that advantage and indicates he would feel discomfort, and assumes that is what other also feel.

[sp1814]

Old_Geezer - I understand your point about feeling isolated, but that's not the case here. The proposal is to join the two council's back end operations. Havering has one black councillor, and I don't know the numbers of non-white council lore in Newham, but let's assume it's substantially more than one.

No-one therefore should feel uncomfortable, because there won't be a significant minority. It'll balance out.

[anotheoldgit]

Just the same as when a woman is introduced into a manly all male environment, it does make for a hell of a lot of changes to be made, so as to accommodate that female's sensitivities.

[Old_Geezer]

Having made the point about a minority I was hoping to have extended it to indicate that for some without past experience, even 50% is going to take some getting used to. Jeff has made the assumption that many feels as he does, but different folk have different experiences.

[mikey4444]

Unbelievably racist and stupid comments from this tw*t...not read anything like it for years.

[mikey4444]

Sqad...I think you will find that anybody who can't trace their ancestry back to William the Conqueror, at the very least, would be "black" to Tucker !