Racial commentary and discrimination within the workplace

Racial discrimination within the workplace does not always look like hostility. It can be framed as a lighthearted joke or casual remark, but what one person finds funny may be hurtful to another.

A 2023 report by Catalyst studied the ways employees of marginalized racial and ethnic groups have experienced racism. It was reported that the most common form of workplace harassment was racism, which included racist jokes, slurs and other derogatory comments.

Racial commentary is often overlooked. Some people grow comfortable in certain environments and become ignorant to how their actions may affect others. 

This behavior may coincide with the rank they hold within their workplace. In reality, however, the impact of these actions often leave a lasting impression for the people on the receiving end. 

I know this from firsthand experience with being on the receiving end of racial commentary. What may have seemed like a normal interaction to them was something that stuck with me.

In my time working in the customer service industry, I have had interactions with people of various races, ages and genders. Particular interactions resulted in commentary about my appearance, jokes about my culture and regarding my family.

My ethnicity is African American, Filipino and Mexican.

An example of racial commentary I endured in this industry was when guests would approach me to comment on my skin tone, hair type and hairstyles. Some even went as far as to tell me how “ethnic” I looked. 

As one of the few workers of color, I stood out. Guests would ask me how I gained my tan and questioned if it was real.

My hair was often a topic of conversation. I would change my hairstyles from my normal curl pattern to box braids to straightened. 

Whenever I wore my hair in box braids, guests and coworkers would ask me about the process behind the hairstyle. Those comments felt as if I was informing them on an unfamiliar topic, while the sexually suggestive or culturally insensitive commentary hurt me. 

Although I was one of the few people of color within the workplace, I was able to connect with others who shared similar cultural experiences. 

Relatable conversations with coworkers made the environment tolerable and made me feel less alienated, but those moments would be occasionally tarnished by insensitive commentary from others. 

I was once sharing a story about my childhood with one coworker and was rudely interrupted by another. They intrusively questioned if the story was heading in a specific direction because I was Black. 

The silence in the area was louder than the surrounding commotion of the workplace. My coworkers and I sat there in disbelief after the accusation. I recovered from the incident and continued my story.

I then analyzed every negative moment I experienced with that coworker. It forced me to keep my guard up. I couldn't help but think that the continuous ridicule I experienced from this individual was because I am Black. 

This person's behavior was known throughout the business, but since no one took action to reduce harm, it made me question the integrity of those I worked with. It felt like everyone remained complicit and unbothered as I faced being a target in this environment. 

It hurt to feel like no one had my back in a space where I supposedly had many friends. I learned that some people would rather sit in silence than make concerns known, in fear of becoming the next target. 

I discussed the situation with my supervisor and explained how my coworker’s remark made me uncomfortable. I recall saying, “I know I'm the black girl …,” and before I could finish my sentence, my supervisor abruptly cut me off and shook their head in disagreement. They said that it didn’t matter and they do not tolerate discriminatory behavior. 

According to a 2023 study by the Pew Research Center, four-in-ten Black workers said they have experienced discrimination or have been treated unfairly by an employer through hiring, pay or promotions because of their race or ethnicity. 

This study found that among Black workers, 48% of men and 36% of women say they've experienced discrimination or unfair treatment by an employer because of their race. 

Although I wasn't discriminated against by my employers or management because of my race, I received unwanted commentary from others. 

I often felt that being Black in that environment was something I should be insecure about. 

One experience in particular resulted in me having to talk to my supervisor about changing my schedule so I wouldn't endure “jokes” from a specific individual. 

This individual told me my grandmothers were giving them a hard time. I rushed to see them, but the grandmothers they were referring to were four older black women who had no relation to me. 

This joke was repeated toward guests of Filipino or Mexican descent, and  other workers of color. 

As time went on in my customer service roles, I became better at advocating for myself and made it clear that certain comments were not acceptable. I knew I didn't need to conform to what others depicted as funny or “acceptable.”

Self-advocacy also made me stand up for others being harassed. It taught me that racial discrimination does not always have to be intentional, but can show itself in more ways than one.

Although speaking up in these instances made me stand out and possibly deterred others from engaging with me, it allowed me to reclaim some control. 

Workplaces should ensure employees feel respected and valued regardless of race, age or gender. 

Intent does not erase impact. Racial commentary does not become harmless because it is intended to be a joke or followed by laughter. 

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Correction 10/20/26 at 6:40AKST: Edited for clarity.