Tuesday, 28 April 2009

• Discrimination In The Workplace (It's Not Just For Blacks Anymore!)

     So I've been quite silent as of late; posting only to blurb up some meaningless pulse--or engage in attempts to conjure up a debate or argument. This is mostly because I see no need to post about my personal life much anymore. You guys like it more when I'm bashing something(one) to hell and back; or just being absolutely weird--so the personal aspect of my life was slowly phased out (as was my care to share it).
     However, as of last week I found something (other than my amazingly awesome girlfriend!) to write about in regards to my personal life.
  
     On Tuesday I went into work. Simple summary; but the events that post-ceded my arrival are what made this a different experience than any other day.
     About a half-hour in, I was pulling two empty pallets (on a pallet jack) to the insulation aisle to drop a stack of R-38 type insulation for storage. I stopped by the paint aisle to answer a question from my coworker Johnny, and we talked for about a minute or so while I answered his question. As he left, Ricardo came up to me and asked if I had been heading towards the insulation. I said "yes" and began to head over. He wrapped two fingers around the other end of the pallet jack handle (I had the left side) and pulled it along with me.
     I turned to him and said: "I can handle this"
     He turned his head to me, sneered, and said sardonically: "Okay" and continued to hold on.
     We walked for about five more seconds before repeating the dance. And again. Finally, I had enough, let go of the handle and walked away to find our supervisor, Lucille. I found her back by the manager's office--talking to the night supervisor, Claudette. I told her what happened and she called Ricardo back to the office.
  
     When he arrived, his first words were: "What's this slacker complaining about this time?!"
     Me: "ExCUSe me?"
     Him: "I'm tryin to get some work done around here; and all he's doing is standing around."
     Me: "I was answering a co-worker's question before bringing the pallets back to the..."
     Him: "NO YOU WEREN'T! You were just doing the same ol' thing: Walkin about with yo head in a fog."
     Me: "That's not true and you know it. At least you're finally doing something."
     Him: "Look who's talking! You've been here how long and you still don't know your way around?!"
     Me: "That's because I'm Autistic!"
     Him: ":laughs: You're not Autistic."
     Me: "Oh? And where's your degree that gives you the KNOWLEDGE AND RIGHT to diagnose that, hmm? I have a learning disa..."
     Him: "You're not Autistic. You're just lazy."
     Me: "No, I have a LEARNING DISABILITY YOU JACKASS!"
  
     He got right in my face and began to spout verbal threats.
     Him: "Imma tell you what right now. I'll knock you out if you say one more thing like that again."
     Me: "FINE! You're a JACKASS!"
     Him: :to our supervisors: "You hear that?! He called me a 'jackass'. That's not my NAME!"
     Me: "We know it isn't your name. You're still a JACKASS."
     Him: "If you're 'disabled' then you don't belong here! You should be collecting some mental illness check!"
     Me: "You want to spout that discriminatory crap at me?! Fine!" :turns to Lucille: "I'm filing a harassment and discrimination complaint against Ricardo Williams for derogatory comments about my disability AND for physically threatening me. I'm asking both you and Claudette to witness this, and to file a form of complaint."
  
     So, there's an investigation; and I've spoken to HR about it. I think I should talk with the rest of the management staff; since I've only talked to one of our three Assistant Managers; and haven't talked to the Store Manager yet.
     I don't mind people joking with me about my quirks, or my disability. But when you try to disempower me based on a mental disability? I got news for you: You're FUCKED.
  

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