Diary of Systemic Injustices: Name and Race Discrimination

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For the showcase, I decided to focus on the discrimination many people face during the job interview process. One of the biggest areas where systemic racism is seen is in jobs. From applying to getting the job to the wage you earn all depends on your race. Recently, a lot of teens have been trying to apply to Target because their pay benefits are incredible at least livable for most teens. Over the week one of my coworkers was telling me he had applied for a job at Target. My friend’s name is Michael Johnson just his name it’s obvious he’s American, but not black. He told me how he applied online and decided to not disclose his race because with his name he had a chance of getting the job if they believed he was white. A few days later, he got a call and was interviewed over the phone. Michael ended up getting the job since they were “desperately hiring and was told to come to the store and fill out some paperwork. Well to their surprise, he showed, and they realized he was black, and he said he could tell from their expressions that they were not going to hire him. Yesterday, during our shift he got an email stating that he did not meet the “qualifications”. It’s interesting to see how names and race correlate with one another. A lot of people with ethnic names end up changing it making it more American because it has helped them secure a job. This story took me by surprise because unlike Michael, I know I do not have an American name, so people know from the start, but he is at first given opportunities and then, gets them stripped away when they realize he’s not white. I think it’s very interesting to see how people act based on names. People with more “American” names get better jobs because they seem more capable. While those with non-American names most of the time people of color are given the less desired jobs all due to their skin color and name.

This relates to the theme we saw in week five about implicit bias. Implicit bias can be defined as “the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner”(Banks,1172. There’s a stereotype about names in the U.S that all those who have non-English / American names are inferior to those who do. Most people think that those who have American names are white so there’s a surprise when people of color have American names. This is seen how my friend Michael and thousands of other people suddenly get denied a job because although they have an American name, they aren’t white.

 

27 thoughts on “Diary of Systemic Injustices: Name and Race Discrimination”

  1. First of all, this really outrages me. I am a White woman from the middle-class, but even I have had problems getting people to hire me and look further than the resume. It is disappointing to hear that such a large company like Target would not be more sensitive and progressive in society. Second, I hope that your friend goes far and finds an amazing job. I thought that the graphs you tied into this helped portray the message you wanted the audience to receive. I am, however, interested to see what these rates would be like for women of both races against men of both races. I actually did my presentation about gender biases in the workplace, but it was interesting to hear the side of it before the job even begins, just in the hiring process. This was a great presentation and it definitely caught my eye!

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  3. ‘’Discrimination based on race is reprehensible as it denies inherent human equality, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and undermines social cohesion. It disregards individual character, violates fundamental rights, and hinders societal progress, making it morally indefensible. Embracing diversity and treating all individuals fairly is essential for a just and harmonious society.’’ Ankara Avukat

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