3 ms·

Yes, my workplace has representatives of many races and cultures as well. Heck, it's owned and run by an asian woman (who is darned good, by the way). Was it r

by bmj 17y ago

Yes, my workplace has representatives of many races and cultures as well. Heck, it's owned and run by an asian woman (who is darned good, by the way). Was it really necessary to add the parenthetical comment? Is there anyone at HN that would judge a person's abilities by their gender and ethnic background?

CWuestefeld 17y ago
Why would you think that the motivation for my parenthetical was the fact that she's asian and/or female? I'm actually defending against preconceptions of corporate executives, not of women or asians. I'm in the habit of making such comments because of what I see as a fairly pervasive anti-corporate prejudiced across our society. It appears to me that many, even most, people assume that corporate executives are money-grubbing scum who care not a whit for their customers, employees, or society at large. I'm trying to say this this is not the case with my employer: she's socially conscious, sensitive to the needs of employees, and tries to do the right thing in business. The comment may not have been necessary -- that was why it was in parentheses -- but I saw a hint of an implication that my workplace was overly homogeneous, a "good ole boys' club". If such a slight was unintended, I apologize.
- bmj 17y ago
  In a sense, your motivation is beside the point--we only have your written word, and the comment can be read as some sort of qualifier (since your boss is a female and an Asian). I'm not insulted, or even upset--I just thought it was odd comment. And, FWIW, I agree with your parent comment.
mediaman 17y ago
Not sure this is worthy of complaining about. If OP has said, "but she's darned good" then that would be clear that the OP believed there was a conception that she would be not good because she was female and/or Asian. But that's not what he said; he said "who is darned good". I don't see giving someone a compliment without a qualifier as being offensive. Can I not say that my black boss is a great manager to work for, or my Indian business partner is really smart?

by bmj 17y ago

CWuestefeld 17y ago

Why would you think that the motivation for my parenthetical was the fact that she's asian and/or female? I'm actually defending against preconceptions of corporate executives, not of women or asians. I'm in the habit of making such comments because of what I see as a fairly pervasive anti-corporate prejudiced across our society. It appears to me that many, even most, people assume that corporate executives are money-grubbing scum who care not a whit for their customers, employees, or society at large. I'm trying to say this this is not the case with my employer: she's socially conscious, sensitive to the needs of employees, and tries to do the right thing in business. The comment may not have been necessary -- that was why it was in parentheses -- but I saw a hint of an implication that my workplace was overly homogeneous, a "good ole boys' club". If such a slight was unintended, I apologize.

bmj 17y ago
In a sense, your motivation is beside the point--we only have your written word, and the comment can be read as some sort of qualifier (since your boss is a female and an Asian). I'm not insulted, or even upset--I just thought it was odd comment. And, FWIW, I agree with your parent comment.

mediaman 17y ago

Not sure this is worthy of complaining about. If OP has said, "but she's darned good" then that would be clear that the OP believed there was a conception that she would be not good because she was female and/or Asian. But that's not what he said; he said "who is darned good". I don't see giving someone a compliment without a qualifier as being offensive. Can I not say that my black boss is a great manager to work for, or my Indian business partner is really smart?