Case Study- by Kate Ingram

After watching the video, we were given the task of producing a poster to reflect our own experiences and perceptions of being different - our group opted to focus on Race:

• Ali G - This is a tongue-in-cheek image used to portray the essence of our subject. "Is it 'cos I is Black?" is his well known catchphrase. One of our group members used this quote to a bank teller when she refused to give him some money bags. She immediately changed her attitude and complied with his request. People in today's world seem so afraid of appearing racist (even when they actually are) they will go out of their way to prove otherwise.
  
  
• The variation on the George Orwell quote "Everyone (animals) are equal, except some are more equal than others" sums up the attitude of many people in today's workplace. Lip service is paid to the regulations of Racial Equality, but underneath the official line can be prejudice which prevents minorities from being promoted, trained, encouraged etc. The Cabinet is a good example of this - the laws are in place to enforce equal opportunities, but how many Black or Asian ministers are there?
  The pyramid showing a mix of black and white spheres illustrates that yes, there are more equal numbers of Black and Asian and White people in Britain's workforce, but the managerial level still is predominantly white.
  
  
• Notting Hill Carnival is just one example of how different cultures are introduced to each other. Food, music, clothes are examples of how cultures embrace each other.
  
  
• The hands of Equal Opportunity is a well known logo to celebrate the union of different cultures and is used by employers to portray their stance.
  
  
• The scales symbolise the balance that is slowly becoming equal, but is not quite there.
  
  
• "We (I) have a dream, we will all unite" We amended the Martin Luther King quote to illustrate that what was once one man's dream is now becoming a more global policy.
  
  
• "Is political correctness going mad?" - We feel that sometimes the urge to be politically correct deters away from the true aims. People have claimed to have been employed as the token ethnic minority. These claims damage the work that has been done to restore equality, causing negative feelings from people that they might not receive a benefit because they are not in an ethnic minority group.
  
  
• The book is just a symbol of education - the key for every individual to achieve success and to abolish ignorance of issues such as race.
  

Problems Encountered by Black and Asian People in the Workplace in the 60's

• Discrimination in schools - Black children not encouraged to answer questions or learn in class. This started the limits of opportunities for black people to gain skilled employment.
  
  
• Skills were ignored.
  
  
• Confidence was knocked by harassment and being ignored, aspirations were reduced.
  
  
• "No Blacks" on job adverts and housing to rent.
  
  
• Companies which did employ Blacks, only offered menial roles.
  
  
• Feeling of isolation.
  
  
• Blatant doubling of workloads compared to white colleagues, later knowledge of being paid below qualifying amount.
  
  
• No assistance in work matters when requested.
  
  
• Encouraged to opt for lower qualifications - SEN rather than SRN.
  
  
• Rewards for good grades previously given to white students were not given to black students who gained better grades.
  
  
• Resistance when asked for justified time off work.
  
  
• Told to go back to own country by employers.
  

The Work Environment in Britain

My personal experience of the work environment in Britain has shown that people on all levels can act in ways that contradict laws and 'correct' ways of behaving. For example, when working in a male dominated environment, jobs were selectively distributed - usually the more desirable ones given to the manager's 'mates'. This, although frustrating did not seem to be discriminatory. From what I have learnt over the past few weeks, this example and others like it are in fact acts of discrimination. I have always been aware of the laws in place to protect employees from discrimination, but I have never really thought about it enough to realise that subtle discrimination is still evident.

From working in stressful, deadline based industries, I have always been under the impression that organisations are expecting more from their employees, and this situation would worsen. It has surprised me that there is a strong focus on work-life balance from the Government and other organisations such as ACAS, which is now slowly filtering through to Britain's employers.

My Position in Society, Work and Home

I have learnt that rather than trying to 'fit in' to my environment, I am likely to benefit from being myself more. An example of this is my attempts at being an 'honorary male' whilst in a male dominated workplace. This behaviour stemmed from watching other women being ridiculed by men for being over-sensitive, lacking in a sense of humour and discussing 'female' topics. I had a desire to be accepted by the men and altered my personality accordingly.

I feel that my position in the workplace will be more rewarding after completing this course. I have already gained the knowledge that working mothers are representing a large proportion of the working population and that companies are beginning to respond accordingly by offering flexible working, child care provisions etc. This will give me the confidence to enter work as a mother, rather than perceiving it as a stigma.

How I Have Changed

I have definitely become more aware of other people's issues such as race, disability etc. I have never been racist or unsympathetic to race issues, but I have never stopped to consider what minority groups have to deal with. Watching the video of Black and Asian people in the sixties in Britain made me realise how hard it has been to change attitudes, and I think that I have developed more of an empathy towards people different to myself.

At the start of the course, I had a tendency to take over and carry most of the work of my group. This was purely motivated by a wish to achieve first-class results. However, I have realised that some people tend to make no effort when they see someone will carry them, and that I am unable to take on such work loads. I have started to delegate tasks in other group activities, with improved results.
The confidence I have gained has given me immense pleasure and motivation to do well. I have developed my time management skills to ensure a studying/home-life equilibrium.

I have become more aware of the opportunities I have had to date such as my education, upbringing and family. I took many things for granted previous to this course. I am also shifting my focus from all the things I know to what is left to discover. This has come from the pleasure I have gained from what I have learnt on this course.

What I Intend to Change

I will try to make an effort to defend my beliefs more. In the past if I have overheard a remark which is not appropriate, I rarely spoke my mind for fear of conflict. Racist, sexist comments are common in the industry I have worked for and I feel strongly that ignorance causes this. By educating someone a little it may be possible to change the way they perceive people.