[Dee Leigh]

Is it okay/fair to say that you will not go into a certain career because of racism?

Or is it a bit ridiculous?

Let me explain.

I recently had a conversation with my friend on the phone. She has always wanted to go into media and journalism and was going to do a degree in Journalism and Media. But recently she said that she doesn't want to go into journalism anymore because of racism, that's there is a lot of racism within that career. She has decided to do midwifery instead, but has zero experience and is struggling to do well in interviews or get onto a midwifery course. Plus it seems so random. But then again, I don't think she has had any experience in journalism either... :/

I did say to my friend that you can experience racism anywhere, it doesn't matter who you are or which career you are in. Anyone can be a victim.

I guess people are put off going into certain areas in life or are encouraged to get into certain careers, due to race and stereotypes. For example, in some school, black boys may be encouraged to go into sport or music. Another example is that some black people may decide not to go into politics because it is seen as a 'white posh boys network'. Some women may be put off a career in finance or engineering because they are 'male orientated'. This is based on stereotypes. Like my friend I often hear this topic of careers and stereotypes.

For myself, I would like to go into either journalism or public relations or even fashion buying. I don't know yet but I am trying to get experience in each of these kind of jobs. I don't really care what the odds are, I know I have to work very hard, remain persistent and stay determined, and so I am not going to rule out a potential career because of the colour of my skin, or gender, or anything, and I will not use my race as an excuse. I far too determined and I have a big desire for a successful career in something I am passionate about.

Anyway what do you think?

[Joinedup]

Doesn't make much sense tbh. Is she worried about meeting racists day to day in her job or having racist bosses?

[whyumadtho]

The demographic composition of the sector will remain unchanged if somebody doesn't set the precedent.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by whyumadtho)
The demographic composition of the sector will remain unchanged if somebody doesn't set the precedent.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by Joinedup)
Doesn't make much sense tbh. Is she worried about meeting racists day to day in her job or having racist bosses?

Probably both I think.

I think perhaps she has the thought in her head that white people dominate journalism and so as a black person she will experience racism.

[Steevee]

(Original post by Dee Leigh)
Probably both I think.

I think perhaps she has the thought in her head that white people dominate journalism and so as a black person she will experience racism.

Please, so long as she avoids The Mail you're hardly likely to find a more PC enviroment to work in.

[Chumbaniya]

(Original post by Dee Leigh)
I think perhaps she has the thought in her head that white people dominate journalism and so as a black person she will experience racism.

Do you know where she's got the idea that journalism is a racist industry? I've never heard this before or seen any evidence that suggests this would be the case. White people dominate the majority of careers in the UK as the majority ethnic group, but being primarily white and being racist are completely different things.

There are certainly media sources which are racist, and of course there are journalists who work for these companies, but that doesn't mean that journalism as an entire industry has any sort of racial bias.

[M1011]

Are you sure this wasn't just the chosen excuse for not continuing the path towards journalism? I'm led to believe that is a very competitive industry. While I don't doubt that being a Midwife poses its own challenges, I imagine it is a much easier career to get into.

[SaharaDesert]

(Original post by whyumadtho)
The demographic composition of the sector will remain unchanged if somebody doesn't set the precedent.

Yes, but the obstacle lies in the difficulty for that first person to set the "precedent" and break the stereotype. I think that's where she may be worried. People may not be used to a new character being in a career that, until then, was dominated by certain types of people. It does not always have to be because of racism though, sometimes it may be because employees want to continue following the stereotype and play safe. The same problem can be applied to gender or religion.

[doggyfizzel]

I don't really see racism as an issue. The number of people who are racist in the sense they are going to hold you back are pretty small and in most large companies the designs is not going to rest solely on one persons shoulders.

I don't think racism is something to be worried about in the world of work these days. You may encounter it and you may have to deal with it, but I don't think its widespread enough that you should be worrying about it potentially being somewhere.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by Chumbaniya)
Do you know where she's got the idea that journalism is a racist industry? I've never heard this before or seen any evidence that suggests this would be the case. White people dominate the majority of careers in the UK as the majority ethnic group, but being primarily white and being racist are completely different things.

There are certainly media sources which are racist, and of course there are journalists who work for these companies, but that doesn't mean that journalism as an entire industry has any sort of racial bias.

I have no idea, but I think it might be because like you said, white people dominate the majority of careers in the UK as the majority ethnic group.

[Clip]

(Original post by pi=3)
I have experience this is the pest. When I was younger (15/16 ish), I realy wanted to be a proffesional competitive swimmer/lifeguard, but since I am of Afro-Caribean descent, my PE coach didn't recommend it. I felt I was sort of being pressurised intp choosing a diferent carer, although I had no idea at the time why.

Lifeguard is one thing - although I would hardly call it a career.

As for competitive swimmer, I have no wish to bring up the genetics debates, but it's a fact that they play a very large part in expertise at sports. It's almost certain that at the London games, the men's 100 will be won by a black man of West African descent, but there is unlikely to be such a person even starting the Marathon. There probably not be any Africans on any podium at the swimming, and a white man will win every throwing event.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by pi=3)
I have experience this is the pest. When I was younger (15/16 ish), I realy wanted to be a proffesional competitive swimmer/lifeguard, but since I am of Afro-Caribean descent, my PE coach didn't recommend it. I felt I was sort of being pressurised intp choosing a diferent carer, although I had no idea at the time why.

Oh that's a shame.

What do you do now?

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by pi=3)
Besides learning how to spell better? Med Student (or soon to be anyway...)

Well that's great!

[Pink Liquid]

She can only do what she can do. Yes, having passion and working at your maximum could help, but some of it does depend on luck/opportunitise arising also. I.e. A person could have the best academics but not be able to find the best job that they should get. The person can only go for what is available in terms of opportunities out there. But I do believe luck plays a part also.
She won't know if she doesn't try. Hope this helps.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by Pink Liquid)
She can only do what she can do. Yes, having passion and working at your maximum could help, but some of it does depend on luck/opportunitise arising also. I.e. A person could have the best academics but not be able to find the best job that they should get. The person can only go for what is available in terms of opportunities out there. But I do believe luck plays a part also.
She won't know if she doesn't try. Hope this helps.

I agree. It's up to her. But she is ruling out a potential career because of hearsay despite having no evidence or experience.

[Herr]

They say that about every job really.... including the President of USA....... but look who is there now.

[crazybored]

(Original post by Dee Leigh)

I think perhaps she has the thought in her head that white people dominate journalism and so as a black person she will experience racism.

Black female journalist here - I did work experience at a fair few well-known papers / mags when I was a trainee journalist and currently work on a trade magazine and can honestly say I've never experienced racism in a work context.

Not to say it doesn't exist, because there are small-minded idiots in every industry, but I certainly wouldn't imagine it would be a reason not to pursue a journalism career..?

[Foghorn Leghorn]

The department leader of the engineering school in my uni is a woman.

[Dee Leigh]

(Original post by crazybored)
Black female journalist here - I did work experience at a fair few well-known papers / mags when I was a trainee journalist and currently work on a trade magazine and can honestly say I've never experienced racism in a work context.

Not to say it doesn't exist, because there are small-minded idiots in every industry, but I certainly wouldn't imagine it would be a reason not to pursue a journalism career..?

I just spoke to her, now she's saying she doesn't want to go into journalism because it's too difficult to get into and it's too competitive, so I guess these are the other reasons why, but I definitely remember her saying that she didn't want to get into journalism because of racism.