Denver diversity-training video said to 'hammer the white guy'
By Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published November 23, 2007 at 7:11 p.m.
Updated November 23, 2007 at 7:17 p.m.
The city of Denver is showing its employees a diversity training video that portrays a white man as a narrow-minded buffoon — triggering allegations of "institutional racism" against Anglos.
"Right now, their diversity program is racially motivated against white males," said Dennis Supple, a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning mechanic who has worked for the city 1 1/2 years.
The video, titled "Laughing Matters — Think About It," is meant to show employees how humor at the expense of others diminishes respect in the workplace.
The character who breaks all the rules is Billy, a white, blue-collar worker who's a racist, sexist goofball.
In one scene Billy is told that another employee named Carlos can't do anything because he's waiting for supplies.
"What's his problem?" Billy asks. "He can't sell breakfast burritos without the supplies or he takes a siesta?"
Supple said the video violates his civil rights and that he's considering taking the equity in his house to file a lawsuit to stop the city from showing it.
"Diversity, to me, doesn't mean hammer the white guy," Supple said. "Diversity means you have respect for everyone, regardless of their race, their gender, their religion, their sexual orientation."
Councilman Charlie Brown, who is white, took offense by the video, too.
"To just target the white race, I don't think that's fair," he said.
Brown said he wrote a letter to Mayor John Hickenlooper and the city's diversity manager, Susan Maxfield, after Supple, who lives in his southeast Denver district, called and complained.
"How can city employees have meaningful discussion after seeing only a Caucasian male making insensitive comments?" Brown wrote. "All ethnic groups have a role in changing behavior across the board."
Brown said Friday that the video perpetuates a stereotype.
"The only thing left out was the white plumber's crack when (the actor) bends over to work," he said.
Maxfield, who is on vacation, was unavailable for comment.
Kathy Maloney, spokeswoman for the Career Service Authority, said the video is part of a one- to three-hour facilitated discussion.
"The video itself is scheduled for updating in either 2008 or 2009, so (Supple's) input would certainly be taken into consideration for the next video," she said.
Maloney noted the last thing to appear on the 8-minute video is this phrase: "Remember, Billy could be anyone."
She also said the teaching guide tells facilitators to "ensure participants recognize this video does not highlight or target any particular individual or group."
"It's meant to represent anyone who could (use) inappropriate humor in the workplace," she said.
Supple said he raised concerns about the video during his diversity-training class, but that they were brushed off. When he met with Maxfield, Supple said she told him it was "no big deal."
"If you portrayed a black woman (or a Hispanic or a homosexual) in that manner, there'd be hell to pay," Supple said. "But it's OK for them to portray a white man in this manner because you put down one little (disclaimer) at the end of the (video) that says, 'Remember, anybody could be Billy.' That's a bunch of bull."
The video, developed by the city's Diversity Advisory Committee in collaboration with Channel 8, the city's television channel, won second place in 2005 for Instruction/Training from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors.
"Congratulations," Brown said sarcastically, "but it didn't win any awards in my book."
chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099
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November 23, 2007
7:40 p.m.
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vercingatorix writes:
I am Caucasian. I was once very pointedly told by a (non-white) Denver city-worker "You people are the n*gg*rs now!" I never reported it. What would be the point? She would deny it. No one would believe it. A waste of time. But it does seem as though racism is verboten *EXCEPT*... except if it's directed at white people. Why is that; do you think?
November 23, 2007
8:45 p.m.
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natasha writes:
This is absurd. Why doesn't somebody do something? Hey Jesse? Al?
November 23, 2007
9:32 p.m.
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Ramm writes:
Nothing new. Just color me cynical.
November 23, 2007
9:49 p.m.
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bbeard writes:
unbelievable that society has come to this! I am a white male and this doesn't offend me, nor would a video with any other race depicted in this manner. Are we getting too sensitive in this society! We all live here and it happens, we all need to get over this! Racism still exists along many lines, unfortunately....But grow up for gods sake!! This video is not meant to be racist, nor would it be if a Hispanic person, or any other race were depicted. This is meant to alleviate racism As well as it will make some liberal attorney alot of money. I am sickened with these types of stories.
November 23, 2007
10:54 p.m.
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dan writes:
For one thing, I don't think these trainings do anything to stop racism for anyone. People have their perceptions and a video isn't going to stop it. I have grown up respecting all cultures and races. But I have noticed that when it comes to racism these days I get tagged with the notion that since i'm white I must be a bit racist and that its ok to label me. I don't like that feeling, especially since I don't even think in terms of differences due to appearance or culture. People on all sides of the table need to get over it and deal with the world on its merits.
November 24, 2007
12:34 a.m.
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butch_m writes:
Of course it's racist but I'll gladly accept this as long as we can perpetuate all stereotypes. They help us understand cultural tendencies without the deceptive blinders of political correctness. For example, Billy is probably Christian and Carlos is probably an illegal alien. It's not guaranteed but it's an educated guess.
November 24, 2007
7:51 a.m.
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DIAInspector writes:
After years of the "typical white male" being a "good guy" we find ourselves "hurt" over Billy. As a white southern male I have been subjected to this for years. A slight southern accent and we are labeled "dumb rednecks" and talked down to, so much that many of us have changed the way we speak. Billy does not bother me nor should it offend any white male that does not act in a manner Billy does in the video. If other ethnic groups and races do not understand by now that at least 10% of every race is bad, shame on them. I do not imagine Mayor Hick took offence with the guys name being Billy. Give it a rest and focus on stories about the Pentagon requesting money back from signing bonus' from wounded veterans. Life is too darn short. Happy Holidays
November 24, 2007
1:15 p.m.
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bwood writes:
When I worked for a local county government, a film we saw (and accompanying instruction) was the same way. The film discussed many incidents narrating, "a crowd of white men," "8 white men", "a local group of white men", etc. Seriously, a reasonable conclusion would have been that all we have to do is get rid of the white people and the problem would end.
November 24, 2007
2:39 p.m.
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sac621 writes:
I find the the Minority are more racist then the majority.
Whenever they can't do something they want, all they see is color.
and they protest and whine about everything and expect a hand out or some one to agree with them.
They don't want to be judged by their character because they don't have any good character.
Now they got the majority defaming themselves just to make the minority FEEL better about them selves!!! I'm getting sick of it..
November 24, 2007
8:21 p.m.
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DougCo writes:
This is the reason that I have told my son over the past 25 years that he had to be smarter, stronger and faster than others because being white and male he will soon be the target for the reversal of roles for the neo-racist and sexists - as this tide has been turning.
Isn't it a shame. Society has not learned the lesson of discrimination. I guess the Liberals weren't watching with both eyes. I grew up with wonderful Hispanics - legally from Mexico, blacks, Samoans, Philipines, Japanese. I liked and respected them all, close friend to many of others of different races and religions. Never had a racist or sexist thought of any kind.
Sadly, that has been changing as the transformation has been progressing quite as I saw the beginning of it over 25 years ago.
And as should be expected, soon enough some of the good ole boys are going to get P.O.'d enough to take things to a different level.
It is not good to hate (waste of otherwise good energy) or judge others by the color of their skin or their sex or to discriminate on that basis, but when one becomes a subject of that sort of discrimination and when there is blatant tolerance of same by society and promotion by media... remember the riots of Selma and Watts? Reverse that... it is going to happen.
I don't like the thought of violence or riots, but that is the natural result of stereotyping by race, sex or religion by society in general over a period of time. White males are the new target - and they are getting tired of the reverse discrimination - it is not acceptable to them. And like many others in the past - they will be heard in the end - count on it.
November 24, 2007
11:42 p.m.
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Carl writes:
What is hispanic ? The color of the skin? The language someone speaks? Where someone is from? I would like an honest answer!!!!!
November 25, 2007
1:29 a.m.
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HeyHarvey writes:
the tax payers in denver pay for a diversity manager?
wow, you guys must be rich to afford do nothing bureaucrats.
it is just:
more unelected, unnecessary government intrusion on our rights and money.
ciao,
Harvey
November 25, 2007
11:54 a.m.
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Barron writes:
Supple needs to grow up and get a life. I haven't seen the video however I'm absolutely certain that they don't say anywhere in it "this is the way all white people behave." And Charlie Brown, is he fit to be a leader being that thin-skinned? Honestly I have met the guy that they describe in the video at every job I've ever worked in, and he's never been blue collar, always white-collar. And they don't think they are being offensive. Everyone, please, GROW UP and stop making yourself the victim! Good grief! If you don't make those kinds of comments then it's not you that the video is geared to!
November 25, 2007
2:14 p.m.
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bassoon writes:
This article is posted a second time, with a different thread of comments. I'm reposting mine here.
I've seen some very good, balanced diversity videos, including one that showed examples of boorish, hostile, illegal activity of straight whites, as well as from "target" groups (an anglo employee being the odd one out, unwanted same sex attempts to seduce, female supervisor hitting on a subordinate employee, etc.). It's a sad irony when a diversity video has the effect of giving the impression to any group that the environment is hostile to them.
While Straight White Men have been responsible for unacceptable behaviors, we aren't the only ones.
November 25, 2007
2:39 p.m.
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repelmexico writes:
The anti-white hatred, crime, rape, ostracism, discrimination, and defamation are exactly why white America was so quick to repel people like this bitch when our country was at its strongest.
November 25, 2007
3:40 p.m.
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whyidontliveindenver writes:
The fact that tax monies are used to pay a diversity manager is ONE of the MANY reasons I would never live in the city and county of Denver. Why not worry about whether people can and are doing their jobs...what a novel idea. I am curious how Susan Maxfield accounts for her work day and what her qualifications are for the position. What qualifies one to grow up and become a diversity manager? Need a white male ever apply for the position??? How about a white, straight, Republican woman?
The government of Denver seems to be full of this kind of nonsense.
Maybe dollars might be spent more wisely seeing that the public schools of Denver can teach their student population how to read, write, add and subtract at grade level and maybe even graduate high school instead of wasting it on this woman's salary. I forget tho - wisdom is not present in public education or government to say nothing about just plain old common sense.
I can't believe what we have become as a Nation and where we are headed
November 25, 2007
5:32 p.m.
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timbryan writes:
I used to think that those who promoted diversity were working to promote social justice and their motivations were genuine. I never realized they'll real motivations until I was shown the following. This ties right in with the latest cultural conflict taking place in Ft Collins.
http://www.csulb.edu/~kmacd/books-Pre...
November 25, 2007
7:30 p.m.
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bassoon writes:
I support diversity training. It's necessary for employers to protect themselves from liability for illegal workplace activity, and for co-workers to also protect themselves. We are a diverse country and world, and that means diverse workplaces. No matter what I say, someone's going to disagree with me; that's a given. I have no illusions of a warm "Kum Bah Yah" around the campfire, however I do expect to treat my co-workers with respect, and be treated with respect, and when lines are crossed, have that information communicated. Sometimes what I think is respectful is not taken that way; sometimes my coworkers, with best intentions, have trampled my (perceived) rights. I have learned from diversity videos, as well as co-workers; I do find such training valuable.
November 26, 2007
7:46 p.m.
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robert writes:
Anti-white bias is widespread, but anti-white hatred is even greater. Take for example that anything a high profile whites says that might be just a little off color is reported ad nauseam in the mainstream media, but any kind of outright hate is NEVER reported. In fact, if a white gives examples of anti-white hate he's called a racist.
For example, have any of you here known about the following quotes? They are valid and can be checked. Every one of them. But no one knows about them. Do you think we would have heard them repeated day and night if the people saying them were white academics and politicians? These men are still working their jobs, too.
Take a look:
"We have an aging white America.They are not making babies. They are dying. The explosion is in our population... I love it. They are sxxxxing in their pants with fear. I love it.", "We have got to eliminate the gringo, and what I mean by that is if the worst comes to the worst, we have got to kill him."-- Professor Jose Angel Gutierrez, University of Texas.Reference is MSE HTML source doc: URL http://www.stoptheinvasion.com/racism...
"Republica del Norte," the Republic of the North, which would include the present U.S. states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, plus southern Colorado, along with several current Mexican states, is "an inevitability." The new "Hispanic homeland" should be brought into being "by any means necessary." -- Charles Truxillo, professor, University of New Mexico
"California is going to be a Hispanic state, and anyone who doesn't like it should leave. They should go back to Europe." -- Mario Obledo, co-founder and President of MALDEF, 1968 to 1973; President of the League of United Latin American Citizens 1983-85, California State Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare 1975-82, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton
November 26, 2007
7:49 p.m.
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robert writes:
Here's some more from the black sector. There are so many I couldn't get them all posted in a dozen posts at 300 words each.
"I am writing this essay sitting beside an anonymous white male that I long to murder." [BELL HOOKS (black professor of English at City College of New York) From her book A Killing Rage, quoted by David Horowitz in Hating Whitey, Spence Publishing, 1999, p. 31.]
"What we need is the destruction of whiteness, which is the source of human misery in the world." [REV. JAMES CONE- Quoted in David Horowitz, Hating Whitey, Spence Publishing, 1999, p. 44.]
"You can't steal nothin from a white man, he's already stole it he owes you anything you want, even his life. All the stores will open up if you will say the magic words. The magic words are: Up against the wall motherf- this is a stick up!" [AMIRI BARAKA (black poet and writer) Quoted in Anne Wortham, The Other Side of Racism, Ohio State University Press, 1981, p. 257.]
"Hollywood is owned by these so-called Jews. Look at the movies they make about us, black people killing black people. Let's make some revolutionary movies where we kill white people in the movie. Kill 'em so hard you have to cover up your popcorn from the blood spraying out of the screen." [KHALID ABDUL MUHAMMED (former assistant to Louis Farrakhan-current leader of the New Black Panther Party) Speech at San Francisco State University, May 21, 1997.]
"We kill the women. We kill the babies. We kill the blind. We kill the cripples. We kill them all…. When you get through killing them all, go to the goxxxxn graveyard and kill them a-goxxxxn-gain because they didn't die hard enough."[KHALID ABDUL MUHAMMED (on what South African blacks should do to any whites who refuse to leave South Africa) November 29, 1993 speech at Kean College in Union, New Jersey.]
Sonny Carson (black activist in New York, when asked if he was anti-Semitic): "I am anti-white. I don't limit my 'anti' to just one group of people." [Mark Mooney, "Ex-Dinkins Organizer Boasts He's 'AntiWhite'" New York Post, October 21, 1989, p. 3.]
"After looking at all the evidence there is only one conclusion: white people are devils…. I believe that we must secure our freedom and independence from these devils by any means necessary, including violence…. To protect ourselves we should bear arms (three handguns and two rifles, maybe an M-16) immediately and form a militia. …. So black people, let us unite, organize, and execute." [Chino Wilson, "African American Students Should Not Trust 'Devilish ' White People," The Daily Collegian, Penn State University, January 28, 1992.]
November 26, 2007
10:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
timbryan writes:
The following “pride” terms have all been registered as trademarks by the U.S Government
“African Pride,” “African Man Pride,” “Asian Pride,” “Bahama Pride,” “Black Pride,” “Brazilian Pride,” “China-Pride,” “Chippewa Pride,” “Choctaw Pride,” “Colombian Pride,” “Cuban Pride,” “Dakota Pride,” “Dominican Pride,” “El Salvador Pride,” “Ecuador Pride,” “Gay Pride Apparel,” “Guyanese Pride,” “Havana Pride,” “Honduran Pride,” “Indian Pride,” “Jamaica’s Pride,” “Jewish Pride,” “Kwanzaa Pride,” “Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride,” “Mayan Pride,” “Mexican Pride,” “Native Pride!,” “Nicaraguan Pride,” “Orgullo Hispano” (Hispanic Pride), “Orgoglio” (Hispanic—’Great Pride’ (supremacy?)), “Qisqueya Pride” (Dominican Republic Pride), “Rainbow Pride Coach,” “Red Pride,” “San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride,” “Spanish Pride,” and “West Indian Pride.”
I don't see the term "European-American" on that list. A few years ago, I read that an application to trademark the term "White Pride" was denied by the U.S. Government. If every other group can show their pride, why can't we? Who in our government is behind the attack on white America? Why is it whites (European Americans) must to be tolerant toward every minority group that invades our land, yet any expression of "white Pride" gets all of us labeled as Nazis or as bigots?
November 27, 2007
8:12 a.m.
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RJS07 writes:
Anyone can be racist...it doesn't matter what color you are, however it's more PC to claim that only whites are racist, which is baloney. This is truly one area where all are created equal. Kudos to Mr. Supple for saying enough is enough...
November 27, 2007
9:17 a.m.
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Barron writes:
Robert, what's your point? Are you going to sit here all day and quote, ad nauseum, the dated quotations of unstable people? Do they represent entire races or are they the quotes of individuals? Are you going to quote the hateful remarks of white "leaders" over the years (it would take several, several posts), many who are still in positions of power? And more importantly, are you going to justify your hatred of other races based on these quotes? If so, you have some serious issues. Please get help. There is nothing wrong with being proud of who you are, we all should be. But not to the detriment of others, and because some people do it doesn't make it right. To all the normal people on this message board, please don't drink this grape kool-aid.
November 27, 2007
9:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
bookwerm writes:
The white male IS the last "safe" person to make fun of. And it is wrong. If you can replace ANY character with another, and find that your feelings change, then you have prejudice. Make fun of a white man, put a hispanic or black in their place, and see if it still flies? Usually doesn't, sign of prejudice AGAINST the white man. I have seen plenty of racism from minorities, it goes everywhere. The person who wrote this should never do videos again! They just did a bad bad job, took cheap shots, didn't really delve into prejudice, but made fun of it. And white men.
November 27, 2007
3:33 p.m.
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gsmith writes:
I found the video ridiculously racist. If there had been an African-American actor in the video, Jesse J, Rev Al and every Urban DJ on the east coast would be on your doorsteps demanding that the video be destroyed for stereotyping African Americans. The truly sad part of that scenario is that the city would back down and do it. We white folk better wake up.
November 28, 2007
7:04 a.m.
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Panache writes:
White people are have disgusting habits and are nonacceptable in civilized countries. The sooner they are replaced the better.
November 28, 2007
9:13 a.m.
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John writes:
The city and county of Denver tries to be too diverse and too green, instead of concentrating on matters that really needs to be adressed. This video is just another example of how the management of our city really does think about people. Mayor Hic doesn't really want to give anyone a meager pay raise. Just look at the vast range of emotions this little article has brought out in this blog, can you imagine what would happen if they made every citizen go to this stupid training. Think about it!!!!
November 28, 2007
12:22 p.m.
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LS writes:
Panache that's rich. Who do you think developed countries into civility? Do you think South Africa would be where it is today without Europeans developing the industry and infrastructure? He11 no. How about the majority of Africa? Central America? Mexico? The list is long... Third world toilets are not generally populated by Caucasion people, but Caucasion people in the "civilized" world support them. Take care of them. Feed them, then help them learn to grow their own food, manage their water resources, receive medical care. Because their own will not (or can not). So replacement of white people would mean the end of those that cannot thrive without them. Which is a helluva lot of brown eyed folks. You really should have thought that comment through. By the way, your user name is a French derivation of something flashy and classy. France is in Europe. Where so many of those white people that you detest come from. You're just brilliant. Not.
November 30, 2007
8:49 a.m.
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ThePiper writes:
LS must be on LSD.
Europeans "developed countries into civility"?
Depends on your definition of CIVILITY. Exploiting the natural resources of South Africa while enslaving its indigenous people - oh, wait. White people did that in USA too - nearly killed off all the indigenous people....
Geez. If that's civil, you need a new dictionary.
By the way, blacks in Africa and others around the world were civilized long before whites - read about the Moors - the Aztecans! Learn some history.
Caucasians in the "civilized" world? What a racist, ignorant, bigoted statement. Proves HL Mencken right: no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of Americans - and when you throw in an issue that has a racial aspect to it, they become - amazingly - even more stupid!
"..replacement of white people would mean the end of those that cannot thrive without them"?
Wow! No wonder this country has to import people with brains to work. Look at what's speaking for the "civilized white people"....
March 7, 2008
2:06 a.m.
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Denver_Conservative writes:
The obvious message in this video is that only whites are guilty of bigotry and never victims of it, and that portraying anyone in a stereotypical fashion is wrong -- unless its a white male. So we have these people telling us that viewing Mexicans is lazy is wrong, but viewing whites as bigots who need behavioral modification is ok. The city of Denver is a leftist cesspool.