Friday, May 13, 2011

Prejudice Never Sleeps

It never ceases to amaze me how the ignorance of others seems to breed like some sort of terrible disease with no known cure.  I wasn't going to post this, but I feel so strongly about the subject that I feel I must share it with all of you.

Today, I was threatened by a few of my co-workers because of the mere fact that I am a Wiccan. Mind you, I do not advertise my religious beliefs nor do I even wear a pentagram to work. The only thing I am guilty of is printing off copies of my blog posts (at home!) for two of my co-worker friends who have asked me to do so becuase they say that they enjoy reading them. I always place them in their desk drawers - never on top of their desks.

So, this morning one of these "so-called" co-worker friends approached me at the switchboard and informed me that a few of her fellow co-workers were not happy about my blog posts and told her to warn me that if I did not stop distributing them to these particular people, they would go directly to my supervisor about it.

Now, first of all, I do not and nor have I ever solicited these posts or my personal religious beliefs in the work place. Unlike a couple of other employees I work with who actually keep a Bible or the like at their desk every single day, I do not feel the need to advertise nor push my beliefs on anyone else. I have no problem with them wearing crosses or the Star of David, etc. (to each their own), but I do not appreciate, nor will I tolerate, someone threatening my job or my livelihood. The way I see it, what right do they have to do this? Who are THEY to mess with my life in this way?

Further, the only way anyone would know about these posts (or my business) is if they have actually gone into these employees drawers and snooped. As far as I am concerned, I did nothing wrong and furthermore, the only people who should have the right go into someone else's desk drawers are the Supervisors.

These same people are also spreading out right lies about me as well - claiming that I am "rude" to customers on the switchboard phones and distributing these posts on company time. Neither is true, in fact, I have been covering the company switchboard for 7 years now and do these same people honestly believe that if this accusation were true, I would still be responsible for this job? And I have never done any of this on "company time." I go into work early every day and if I have a post to distribute, I do it BEFORE the start of work! Not to mention, there would be no way I could even so much as get into my blog on the computer at work as they block all of these sites.

Of course, not only did these cowards not confront me personally about the fact that they apparently have a problem with me, but the "gopher" who approached me about this refused to give me the names of my accusers.

It appears that some people do not have anything better to do with their work day than to stick their noses into other peoples business and make threats about someones job due to the fact that they are ignorant when it comes to other peoples religions. Sometimes I have to wonder - will prejudice against others ever end?

3 comments:

  1. hmmm... this is a tough one. Are you sure one of the people you gave copies to did not say something to one of the bullies? (and make no mistake, this is bullying!) I am thinking you have 3 choices.... 1) continue on as you are. But do so with the knowledge that you may loose your job. You know how it is. Even if they don't fire you for THIS, they may "find" something else to fire you for. 2) Stop giving them to ANYONE. I know this lets them "win", but it may protect your job, for now. But again, you know how it is, they will still "find" something to complain about. or 3) tell your friends you would be happy to give them copies of the blog outside of work.

    I know it sucks. Believe me, I know. I have lost countless friends over this issue. And I suspect that religion was what caused me to loose my daughter last year. Our only recourse is to stand up to them, for what we believe. But we do so with risk of personal loss. Unfortunately, that is why so many people choose to live their lives in the closet.

    Sending you hugs and good wishes. Love you.

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  2. This is an awful situation, Kim and I feel terrible for you. I think you should stop bringing the posts to work, simply because you can trust no one there. These petty, ignorant people have too much time on their hands, and it obviously gives them a thrill to think they have power over you. Is it possible to present this situation to your supervisor or HR people? No one deserves to feel threatened at work by any sort of "lynch mob". Keep your head high, Kim. The Goddess is with you.

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  3. Thank you both for your good advise - and I indeed agree that I WILL NO LONGER be giving any more posts to anyone anymore at work just as I can not trust anyone I work with anymore - aside from my sister, Robin that is!

    I will say this though, IF this situation causes me to lose my job, make no mistake, I WILL sue the company for Religious Discrimination! I only pray that it will not come to that point. And I am doing everything in my power to protect myself in every way.

    Again, thank you!

    Blessigs to you,

    Kim

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