I began work in the electrical apprenticeship in 2017. I work in Alaska, and never expected the degree of racism I’ve experienced here. To be clear, I am a white male and have a mixed child with a black woman.
Everything started off well, I came to work eager to learn, respectful of my journeyman and foreman. I gave 110% and would do well with instructions, of course I made mistakes that’s part of learning.
Work was going great, but it didn’t take long before people started showing who they really were. I’ve noticed this most places, people will put some “feeler” questions out to gauge how you are as a person. It’s been a rough journey, being around people saying racist stuff and using the n word so freely. I’ve busted my ass to get here, and I feel like speaking up on racism has hurt my opportunities. The first time I heard a JM say it, I said woah man my girl is black and my kid is mixed. The main thing that would happen in response, would be a fake apology: “i’m sorry man or I apologize man I didn’t know.” So for the most part it would be nipped in the bud and done.
As I was dispatched to different contractors, it was clear this would be an ongoing issue. I went to several different shops, and it was terrible at one place. At this shop, this guy would antagonize me and say the n word all the time. Then tell me there’s nothing you can do, my uncle owns the company. I was an outsider, knowing this I knew this guy was gonna be safe, and if anything I’d be laid off.
I hate that I am here, at a place that has prevented my growth and limited my options to where I can go work. All because I stood up to racist hate speech, and told people not to use that language around me. I can’t begin to start with how my wife has been mistreated in the workplace.
Racism needs to end entirely, I’m exhausted, people of color should not be experiencing it. I should not be experiencing it. Please people, take some time to engage with people of color. Get to know someone different, learn about another culture, study real black history. I don’t know what I will do, one thing I won’t, is accepting racism in the work place!
TLDR: I worked with racists, by speaking up its hard to find a shop to work or new opportunities. Don’t be racist!