I work in RW hell

[linazelle]

I've been at a new job location two weeks as I rotate through different areas of my company. (I relocated from Chicago to Wisconsin two months ago).

This morning I listened as some of the guys were kidding around with each other by repeating the phrase "economic girly men" and laughing. The same guys grovel for overtime. :eyes:

The manager of the location I'm working at walks up daily with a different RW topic. One day it's his disdain for paying taxes because of welfare. Another day it's: "...what rhetoric did they use when the country switched from an agricultural base to a manufacturing base?" (implying that the current shift from manufacturing to service jobs is just another natural cycle and people should not be complaining about it or the jobs sent overseas.) Today it was his recount friends visiting last night who, after a political discussion, concluded that Bossie and wifey should vote for Kerry because they are "rich." BIG HINT: He always brings this tripe up to one of his supervisors in my presence after exiting his office where RW radio plays non stop.

This morning, I went in really early and the supervisor had the PA system on--but instead of the normal muzak RW radio was playing. As soon as I came in, they changed the station.

I find the attempts to bait me into political discussions particularly irritating. Also, because I AM BLACK it's obvious these idiots assume they have me all figured out and know my position already (and they are right to some extent). However, I don't think I will give them the satisfaction of confirming their political suspicions.

I just wanted to vent in a place where I know people will understand. That is all.

[NMDemDist2]

1. argh

:grr:

hang in there

[trotsky]

2. I'm amazed you can put up with it.

That would annoy the piss outta me. A couple of the most argent rwingers where I work have left the company, so it's not quite as bad but it's still infuriating when they pass around the latest anti-Kerry lies.

[lancdem]

3. That's a tough environment to work in

You have my sympathy!

[Wapsie B]

4. That would really suck.

To work with an office full of people like that would be hell. There just aren't polite political discussions anymore. Get on board with the repugs or get the hell out of the way.

[Craig Roberts]

5. ...

I know of two workplaces where right-wing radio is on all the time. You wonder if everybody in the workplace wants to listen to it or if there are people suffering silently because they are afraid to speak up in an environment where management is obviously right-wing, and right-wing in that special Limbaughian way. I think it is simply unprofessional to have any kind of political commentary being played over the office sound system.

[linazelle]

9. I agree that it's inappropriate to discuss politics in the workplace.

And I also wonder if everybody wants to hear it. I was a bit heartened with I saw a Doonesberry cartoon with the * helmet at one guy's work station. The same guy asked me about RFID--the radio frequency chips they use at Walmart to track their purchases. I basically confirmed I knew about them. So there is some hope.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

14. I find the attempts to bait me into political discussions particularly irr

They are in a workplace... and they are not above the law. You may need this information someday.... file it away.... :)

http://www.rts.net.au/pol_harass.html
'Discrimination' - is treating someone unfairly or unequally simply because they belong to a group or category of people. Equal opportunity laws prohibit discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status, pregnancy, family responsibility, family status, race, religious beliefs, political conviction, gender history, impairment, age or sexual orientation. Victimisation is also treated as another ground of discrimination.

http://www.laborlawtalk.com/

http://www.legal-experts.net/?sc=g&cp=rights&ag=workplaceharassment&ad=1

[linazelle]

17. Wow....THANKS

I was unaware of this. Bookmarking thread.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

23. I was unaware of this. Bookmarking thread.

Check those sites... bookmark them.... or file save as to your hard drive.

I am caucasian, however... I am fairly dark skinned.. and am "different" for the area of the south I am living in. I have put up with similar behavior at a couple jobs I have had in the last year or so. Remember... they are not above the workplace laws... no one is.

Good luck to you on this.... :)

[VOX]

42. The Harrassment and Discrimination Policy link is Australian...

Is the wording in their law the same as in the U.S.?

Just wondering.

[linazelle]

44. Good catch....no wonder I've never seen the political clause in our

policies...Thanks.

[murielm99]

6. I am so sorry.

But I am glad you can come here for support.

My brother has the same problem. He works with ALL RW assholes.

If he says anything, his boss gives him crappy assignments, or finds a way to get back at him.

He doesn't dare try to pull anything on my brother's evaluations, though, because he is union.

Keep track and document anything that they do that is discriminatory.

And, like my brother, I guess it is best if you keep your mouth shut at work. If they pull anything nasty, you will have even more ammunition against them.

Maybe, after a time, you can get a transfer? This is a bad economy to look for other work.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

7. sounds pretty bad

but like the 1st poser said: hang in there!

you have reason and goodwill on your side.

[Tsiyu]

8. I Work Where there is a Gigunda TV

often tuned to FU(X) News. It is all I can do to keep my head from exploding when I am forced to listen to Shrub or those inane announcers. Ugh. I feel your pain, linazelle.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is retain your composure. Think of them as a bunch of little kids (apologies to children everywhere) who don't really know much. Let their jabs roll off their tongues and imagine them curling back and choking them.
Play like a voodoo mistress and make effigies.

Above all, be exceedingly overjoyed that you are not they.

[linazelle]

12. I hear you...I am exceedingly overjoyed that I am not them. n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. OMG...from Chicago to THAT!

You poor thing. :(

I truly feel bad for you. That must make for a VERY long day at work. :hug:

[linazelle]

21. Wisconsin is beautiful, and very pleasant--cleaner and greener than

Chicago. I like the city actualy, but the workplace is another story.

[in_cog_ni_to]

26. I didn't mean it that way!

Wisconsin is one of our most beautiful states! I've been there many times. I meant going from a Democratic City/State to that work environment. Ugh!

Sorry if I wasn't clear. :hi:

[Snellius]

28. I keep wondering how many people will be forced to move

If there's a Republican victory in November, the righteous reaction will be almost unbearable. We are not just two countries. We are two countries that live on completely different planets, with completely different perspections of the truth, with completely different moral values, and who had each other to the core.

[onethatcares]

11. why not buy a cheap voice activated tape recorder

and in the morning, state the date and time, take it to work, let it run all day, then put that tape in a box next to the last one. Sounds like a definite "hostile workplace" deal to me, no less than a woman having sexist jokes or radio stations being played around her. I would keep my mouth shut about my political persuasions if you can. If not, let em have it and let them have it loud. Was political persuasion part of the hiring process?

[linazelle]

15. No political persuasion was not part of the hiring equation.

I think your suggestion is a good one though and I'm going to start doing that.

[Catch22Dem]

13. My best friend at work is a rabid RWer

And we couldn't get along better. It makes no sense. Well, we rarely, if ever, discuss politics, which helps. What's amazing, though, is when we do, he often agrees with me. See, he's a thinker, we just think differently about some things. However, get him around some of the other RWers at work, and he's a complete bushbot. Go figure.

[coalition_unwilling]

18. Wondering where your moniker ('Catch22Dem') came from?

From the Joseph Heller novel, I'm sure. I'm a big fan of Heller and find him sure solace for the times we now live in.

[Catch22Dem]

29. Well wonder no longer

Yes, I'm a huge fan of the book. For some reason, that book moved me more than any other. First of all, it's side-splittingly hilarious. Second, it's deep on so many levels. It's a great anti-war novel. I think it's also very anti-establishment as well.

My grandpa (a WWII pilot) tried to get me to read it when I was like 12. I didn't care for it at all. Read it again when I was about 24 and in the Air Force myself, and thought "WOW!"

[coalition_unwilling]

45. I've never served in the military

Altho I've been part of many large governmental and corporate bureaucracies at various times and I expect similar dynamics are at work, except for the prospect of getting killed.

Have you read any of Heller's other novels? Two of my favs are 'Something Happened' and 'God Knows' (this one is a side-splitting, but also very moving, spoof on the David of the Old Testament.

[RememberWellstone]

51. Half of my family are conreps.

we usually don't talk until they bring up Bill Clinton..whatever. If they bring up monkey boy, it gets ugly quick. So we do not talk politics. At work, we really don't have time to talk politics. As far as I know most everyone there are moderate Democrats, I am the lone liberal.

[dorktv]

16. State "I am sure you would not like to hear me talking about

my ideas regarding politics, because they would upset you. So I ask for the same in return. Thank you." If they still will not stop, go to the next level and file a complaint of harassment. You have the right to work in a non-hostile environment and forcing you to listen to this stuff is hostile.

[linazelle]

19. I think I'd make more trouble asking them to stop the discussions

than if I actually joined in. I find consolation in the fact that I won't be in this particular location for more than a few months. So, I can live with it temporarily.

[dorktv]

20. Yeah but what of the next person who comes in and feels

like you do? You should always try to stop stuff now rather then waiting. If you do not want to tell them personally, just file the complaint.

[linazelle]

22. You are right I never thought about it that way.

I will consider it.

[justjones]

24. You are sooo right....

Someone recently pointed this out to me. I have an uncanny ability to not let people like this affect me, but I never thought of it in terms of the "next person." But the person who pointed this out to me took it even further by making me realize that if they are treating me this way, their supposed "peer," imagine how they treat people they perceive as "less" than them. It's got to be even worse. Unfortunately, those people are probably not in the position to fight the right-wingers back. Then the right-winger end up feeling more emboldened in their behavior and their beliefs because there is no one left to call them on their shit.

So I think we have a moral obligation to say something. I know it's easier not to "rock the boat" and we are putting ourselves in danger by calling them out, but remaining silent is what has emboldened these right-wing freaks to spew their nastiness out in the open in the first place. We've allowed them to get away with this shit for too long and it's time we start fighting back even in these small ways.

And don't think these MFers don't know what they are doing. You should let them know you aren't having it. I know, you don't want to fulfill their stereotype of you retaliating in some black militant style protest, but it doesn't even have to go down like that. I'm sure you know how to handle it in the right way if you end up saying anything. Oh, and even though I am responding to your post, dorktv, of course I'm addressing the original poster of this thread.

[dorktv]

34. It is cool.

I just think of those who are "do not rock the boat" types, and then remember reading Jailed For Freedom. They rocked the boat and yes, they got force feed, spat on and tormented but they still did it. They felt that being safe was less important then doing what IS right.

[linazelle]

38. OK...trying to summon up some courage here....LOL

I have to work on the courage thing. The truth is, it really creates a toxic environment anywhere that this type of thing happens. It hurts all of us, too, when any of us are forced to listen to opposing views with the added fear that our views won't be welcome. I never considered how much the imbalance we see everywhere begins at my own doorstep.

I'm off to see the Wizard for my badge of courage. :D

[dorktv]

39. Well...Remember what went on during the 60's?

This is much easier!

[GreenPartyVoter]

25. Boogers to them. Don't let them get to ya! *hugs*

[ignatius 2]

27. I read something earlier today on a post about Arnold..the guy saod

with all the plastic surgery Arnold has had how on earth can he call any one else a girlie-man?

Not to mention the fact that he used to parade around in thongs with other guys!!!

[strategery blunder]

30. I get a lot of hell because I'm a liberal Christian

The freepers around here treat me like some exotic animal. Yesterday, one of my "friends" (in quotes because he might not be my friend anymore-I'll see what happens when I see him tomorrow) from church asked me if I was going to join the campus rethuglikkkans. I said no, and he got really offended and went on a bushbot rant.

*sigh* Freepers need to get it through their thick skulls that being a Christian does not automatically mean being a bu$hbot kkkonservative.:grr:

[dorktv]

36. Just tell they you will pray for them to understand our Savior.

You should actually do it to but then I doubt I have to tell you that. :)

[bobbyboucher]

31. "What are you guys gonna do when Bush loses?"

Shaking your head.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

32. Start handing these out at the cooler

[linazelle]

40. Ha ha...I've been tempted to post a FEW "souvenirs" around but

being the new kid on the block, I decided it'd be way too easy for them to deduce the source. :D

[Cleita]

33. I'm afraid he is right about the shift from manufacturing to

service jobs. You could make his day though by reminding him that with those jobs came unionization and most likely that is what will happen with the service jobs.

[BiggJawn]

50. Only partly right.

Yes, we moved from an agricultural base to a manufactering base. But then the JOBS moved from the farmland to the urban centers.

Now, we have jobs moving from the urban centers to Bangalore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bumfuck.

Not the same thing. IF, in the dawn of the Industrial Age, we had people on the farm being told "Sorry, we're closing down the farm and getting into the factory business. What? No, you can't work in our new factory. Why? because it's overseas, and besides, you want too damn much money..." THEN it'd be "apples to apples".

[Cleita]

52. Remember the workers moved to the factories from the farms because

they, the sharecroppers or field hands, were starving because machines were replacing them. Maybe an apples and oranges thing. Different circumstances, but the same results.

[BiggJawn]

53. It was a LOT easier to move from Iowa to St. Louis or Gary...

That it would be for a displaced tech worker like me to move from Northern Indiana to Bumfuck.

OK, so we're becoming a nation of Retail Serfs who sell cheap Chinese shit to our "betters" and each other in low-paying, tenuous jobs. In the early part of the 20th century, there was the "Labour Movement", which got shoved in its coffin and buried during the Ray-Gun Era.

Somehow, I don't see Wally-World and Burger King workers ever organizing like the UMW and UAW did.

No, we'll just become a nation of Cargo-Cult ReTHUGs, all believing Gush Pfleghmball when he tells us to "Re-train, Re-locate, and VOTE REPUBLICAN, and just maybe SOMEDAY, you'll be rich, too."

[Cleita]

54. When these become the only jobs available, I think you will

see the older workers who were displaced from good paying jobs starting to organize. One nice thing about the service jobs is they can't be outsourced overseas. The only thing that could happpen is robotization of the work cutting down but not eliminating the human worker. I do hope though that we can, not only organize the service worker, but get those jobs back that went elsewhere.

[BiggJawn]

55. I hope so, too.

But I bet they've already thought of that, so steps will be taken to demoralize the older worker to the point that they'll welcome starvation.

[CBHagman]

35. It's not very professional of them, and it's a hostile work environment.

My rule of thumb is to avoid politics with those whose opinions may be violently different from mine. Therefore, I vent and joke with those who seem to understand (a lot of my co-workers are just plain cynical and enjoy poking fun at public figures) and try to avoid those who get bent out of shape at anyone to the left of William F. Buckley.

Anyway, it's rather disrespectful to assume that everyone in the office shares their mind-set and opinions. They ought to save it for their coffee klatsches and the like and not shove it down the throat of a new employee. I would avoid their little games, if possible.

You have my sympathy and empathy.

[slojim240]

41. I knew a middle-aged black woman who was subjected to much the

same kind of abuse you are putting up with. I am ashamed to say that I let those conversations and tauntings take place without ever trying to defend her although I would occassionally eat lunch with her. One thing she did that really shut my co-wokers up and made them finally leave her alone. She would bring her Bible to break room and just sit there and read it all the while their smarmy comments were being tossed about. She was very nice to everyone, always smiled (like she knew a secret) no matter what they would say to her. She never preached scripture or mentioned the Bible in any way. She just read it in front of them in the break room. She was gentle, helpful and trained every new employee who came through the door to use the most sophisticated equipment in the shop. She trained many people who soon earned more money than she. They talked about her reading the Bible at break time and would laugh among themselves. This went on for about 5-6 months after she started reading the Bible at break time. One by one they began to have all sorts of problems on the job at home, personal illness, etc. One by one they began to stop their ugly comments. She never stopped smiling and never stopped reading during breaks. Within 12 months almost everyone in the shop was enemies with each other over dumb shit. They were enemies with everyone except one person, that woman. They couldn't find anything wrong with her (other than of course her skin color) but she spoke to everyone and everyone spoke to her. I saw office friendships break up, office affairs fall apart, supervisors come and go, some fired. Just a bunch of shit happened over a year. When I left two years later, that woman was still training people and still reading at break time. Almost everyone in that operation stopped speaking to each other and those who remained there were miserable. I can't explain it. But somehow I think that woman's karma took care of that shit. Mabelle was her name.

[linazelle]

43. Great story

I find strength in the fact that I'm not pushing any agenda. I try to be fair and kind to everyone--to "see" each individual for who they are. Like that woman, I believe that people will see that my only intent is to do a good job and put forth my best effort. They have in the past which is why I'm here now.

[donco6]

37. That would make me crazy.

RW radio alone would put me over the edge.

[mimitabby]

46. me too

I just was given a cartoon (wizard of id) that stated, what do you get when the people are too dumb to vote? Democrats.
I work in a sea of guntoting limbots.
my mission is almost insane, i am their flaming liberal coworker.
I have to GET ALONG WITH THEM. We agree on almost nothing, so I must constantly endeavor to show them that I, a flaming liberal, love my family, try to buy american products, and love my country.
Every day I feel like bashing their heads together, but I cannot because tomorrow I have to come back here and work with these mesmorized fools.

[Catherine Vincent]

47. I feel for you.

Is there not at least one Democrat or liberal that work in your office? There is a group of repukes in my office but they are not the majority. What that group does is meet in one of their offices and talk about politics (one of them have a W'04 magnet outside her door, not inside mind you but outside). The rest of the department don't talk politics at all or they are Democrats. You have the problem a friend of mine had during the Bush*/Gore fiasco. She had to put up with loud bush supporters in her work area, it was so bad that she had to complain to the director (who she worked for). The director, imo, should have said something to that group long before my freind complained. But she is a repuke too, so I guess it didn't bother her.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

48. oh yeah..me too..finger on the pulse of Right Wing America

I avoid political discussion, period!

[PatriotGames]

49. You really do need to tape that crap. You might need it if they get you

to take a stand on your political beliefs.