Nicole: Hello everyone! It is Nicole Hughes here. I am starting a podcast series called “Yo is this racist.” This is my first ever podcast, so I will introduce myself a little. I am a second year at the Ohio State University and I am majoring in accounting. I am here to discuss some serious situations. These situations have been seen around the world for many, many years. To get the conversation started, I will be introducing my special guest and allowing them to choose the topic of today’s podcast. Okay, so today I have with me, my roommate Ali. Ali why don’t you introduce yourself a little and then tell us what topic you have decided upon.
Special Guest: Hi Everyone! My name is Ali Kuras. I am also a second year at The Ohio State University and I am majoring in strategic communications. The topic I have chosen is actually quite common in many workplaces and in the modern world in general. So, the topic I have chosen is racial discirmiantion.
Nicole: I agree, this topic is very common in the modern world. Everyone has experienced or witnessed something similar to the situations that we will be discussing, either to themselves or to someone else. These situations focus on racial discrimination. Now, what is racial discrimination exactly? Racial discrimiantion is when someone is treated unfairly because he or she is a certain race or because of certain characteristics based on their race. So, during this podcast we will be discussing a systemic injustice involving racial discrimination and how or why it would be considered that.
Special Guests: Everyone has different viewpoints on situations involving any type of discrimination. Some people just do not see how wrong others can be, or even themselves.
Nicole: That is very true. In the situation that I will explain, it is clear that there were some people who just did not see that what they were doing was very wrong. So about two years ago, a false police report was filed by two white managers at a restaurant. A woman and some of her friends went out to this restaurant, Bahama Breeze to be specific, for a celebration. Danielle Nelson was the woman benign celebrated, she had recently signed a book deal. So, you know she wanted to go out and celebrate with her family and friends. She reserved a nice spot on an enclosed patio at the restaurant for her group. Right from the start Danielle and her friends were treated like common criminals. Danielle stated that once her party was sat down, a manager allegedly said, “ You and your people cannot leave out of this room for anything.” Now to me that statement is just filled with discrimination. I just cannot believe someone would talk to another human being like that and not be ashamed of themselves.
Special Guest: I agree 100%. That statement was horrible. This type of discrimiantion is known as systemic racism. This type of racism usually will stem from institutions and power throughout history. Racism can make people of different ethnic groups feel very unwelcome and isolated.
Nicole: That was only part of the mistreatment they endured. One of Danielle’s friends had to leave for work, so she asked for her check. However the restaurant refused to give it to her, but after some arguing they finally gave in and gave it to her. After this happened, the managers filed a police report and in this report they stated that the customers were complaining about their checks taking too long and threatened to leave without paying. The officer who showed up said the women paid their bills and showed their receipts to prove it. The women stated that they were treated like they could not afford their bills, which was obviously not the truth since they all had receipts.
Special Guest: I also read about how a few years prior to this incident, this same restaurant was part of another lawsuit because of racial harassment. However, that time it was employees who filed the lawsuit, not customers. The lawsuit stated that 37 black workers had been harassed while working for that Bahama Breeze.
Nicole: This Bahama Breeze is just one example of a workplace that has been exposed for racial discrimination. I believe that every company, corporation, really any place needs to have a program where they teach their employees how to properly treat everyone, especially their coworkers and customers, with the utmost respect.
Special Guest: No one should be treated unfairly because of their race or what they look like. It is sad to see what was supposed to be a great night out celebrating Danielle, turned out to be a horrible encounter for her and her friends.
Nicole: That is exactly right, this encounter turned horrible. This type of systemic racism can have some negative effects on the people involved. It can have disadvantages in someone’s opportunities or even their confidence. Danielle went out to celebrate something very exciting that she accomplished, but instead was harassed with offensive language.
Nicole: I want to emphasize on what I said earlier, I think all jobs should have a program where they can properly teach their employees to respectfully treat all their guests and customers. I believe having this program or something similar to this will reduce the occurrence of situations like this in the future. Because like Ali said, no one should be harassed based on what they look like. Situations like these make everyone weary about the lack of knowledge and respect some people can have towards others. Everyone should be supporting each other, no matter what their cultural background is, and not be tearing others down.
Special Guest: Everyone should take a stand when they see or hear someone treating others poorly. They need to be the voice for those who endure this mistreatment. Everyone needs to acknowledge and understand their own privileges. They also need to evaluate their biases and see where they have stemmed from. Doing so, can help stop situations like this.
Nicole: If everyone does their part in calling out those who are wrong and standing up for those who have been mistreated, it could make the world a more welcoming place for everyone and just overall not make people uncomfortable to be who they truly are.
Special Guest: I want to thank you for having me on this podcast today. It has been something we have been wanting to talk about.
Nicole: Yeah, I totally agree. This needed to be brought up and I think having this situation to discuss as an example really could open other peoples’ eyes and see that this occurs a lot more than they know about. I just do not think people truly understand that this type of thing can help anywhere you go and to whoever you are around.
Special Guest: Yeah, I think this starts when people are younger, so growing up they get so used to it, that they do not even realize this happens. So, raising kids and informing them of what is right and wrong from the start can really help them in the future to not be in situations like this. This can be the biggest determination to stopping racism.
Nicole: That is a very good point! Like I said before, systemic racism usually stems from history. People can be taught this at a very young age, which is why many people do not find this type of situation wrong. People need to start standing up and calling out those when they know that they are wrong because once you start there, you can only go up. You know?
Special Guest: Yes exactly, and you know these are only the reports that have been brought to attention by the news. There are hundreds, probably even thousands more, that have been brought no justice. So, there are many more that we do not know about and it can happen right in front of us and no one can even pick up on it.
Nicole: Again another great point Ali! It has become so common that people just do not really see it, they just go about their day, unbothered. Just a normal part of life.
Special Guest: Or there are people who think they can make racist jokes, because it is a joke and everyone loves a joke right? Wrong. Racism is nothing to joke about. It involves actual human beings and their feelings. But, many people let those jokes slide because a friend or boss may have said it and they do not want to cause any tension between them.
Nicole: Exactly! People do not want to be rude to their friends because they do not want to ruin their friendship, or confront their boss because they do not want to get fired. But, people need to call out anyone and everyone who is in the wrong, no matter who they are. This was a great subject to pick, I really think more people need to be informed about systemic racism, so thank you for coming and talking about it with me today!
Special Guest: Thank you for having me on this podcast! I cannot wait to hear what else you have to say in the future!
https://patch.com/ohio/beachwood/race-discrimination-suit-filed-against-ohio-restaurant