Workplace Discrimination

http://0proquest.umi.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/pqdweb?index=0&did=482844891&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1194824169&clientId=3340

I chose “New Book Shows Major Advances for Minorities in Professions Marred by Persistent Discrimination” found in the New York Voice off of the Ethnic Newswatch resource because of the ongoing presence of discrimination in the workplace, both of different races and different sexes.

This article explains how women and minorities are occupying more jobs in the work place, both managerially and officially. However, some still believe that “women and minorities are not contributing as much as white men in the workplace.” It is shown that, despite the popular belief that women and minorities are making a comeback and gaining ground in the executive workplace as the expense of men, the case is not so. "In corporate positions, white women and minorities are almost absent from the very highest levels and when represented at the middle level, are most typically in segregated or `racialized' positions that are not avenues to the higher level." Black women are always shown to be in the least-favorable positions and Hispanics and Asians are often underestimated compared to their abilities.

This article relates to topics discussed in class in more cases than one. For example, it reflects the points made in the article, “Getting Off the Hook: Denial and Resistance.” This article explains how people use the excuse of men being the “breadwinners” historically to back up the strength of men in the workplace and that these traditions should just continue. Some feel that “Male superiority is a natural arrangement dictated by genes and other biological imperatives,” so it is only fair that they hold the more rewarding positions in jobs. In addition, “New Book Shows Major Advances for Minorities in Professions Marred by Persistent Discrimination” reflects a point in “Privilege, Oppression, and Difference” by Allan G. Johnson when he states that many popular (and proven) thoughts of society include that “Whites don’t find themselves slotted into occupations identified with their race, as blacks are often slotted into support positions or Asians into technical jobs.” Whites often get the better jobs due to their “destiny” of succeeding and their natural right to have a better life.

I find it sad that, despite the belief of many that minorities and women are improving their positions in the workplace, the actual case is the opposite. It is shown that more men, especially white, hold the higher positions in the office and get the better rewards. Either by monetary rewards for plausible work on the job or by reward of promotion, white men are rewarded the most. Those of minority groups are still looked at as being incapable of holding high positions in companies, therefore the scarce appearance of them in important workplaces. It seems as if, no matter how many improvements are made or steps are taken to better these qualities, discrimination will always be present in the workplace.