Comments | i_confusion: Goth Like Me

i_confusion

Goth Like Me

Apr 12, 2007 13:40

In the 60's John Howard Griffin wrote a book called 'Black Like Me' which many of you may have heard of. For those of you who have not here is a brief synopsis: The author wanted to explore racism in modern society and find out if racism was as rife as people claimed.The answer was 'Yes'. Griffin attempted to go places and do things firstly ( Read more... )

Comments 8

midnightschilde April 12 2007, 13:13:54 UTC

It is for this reason that I wore a very normal lilac top under my black suit to make sure I wasn't too goth for my interview :)

vampire_tribble April 12 2007, 13:15:31 UTC

Dying your hair pretty colours doesn't help either :-)
Tonight I dye my hair black all over - I have to re-apply for my own job tomorrow :-/
I think I will be going for the conservative look...

i_confusion April 13 2007, 08:02:56 UTC

eek! good luck - lets hope they don't think they pay you too much :/

microphonemark April 12 2007, 15:36:26 UTC

Wearing a t-shirt and ripped jeans to a job interview is very different from turning up smart, but with black skin.

No, you're not going to get the job if you look like you havn't made an effort for the interview. I see your point (with asking for directions etc), but that was a poor example. Not the same thing.

midnightschilde April 12 2007, 21:11:39 UTC

I don't believe she is saying it's the same, it doesn't read that way to me anyway, just an inspiration leading to a related train of thought. Though I see your point on the not making an effort will clearly have an effect! I used to have a manager that preferred gothy types (shame they didn't like me).

Even little details can and do affect peoples judgement. It is interesting how much difference something so small as swapping boots for white trainers can have in the streets here.

Continuing the missed humour... inncubus April 13 2007, 01:25:16 UTC

Who's to say that the person gothed up hasn't made an effort?
Why should the person's dress affect their ability to do the job(except under certain circumstances-and that could apply to colour too thinking about it...it shouldn't though.)?
How different is it to not employing someone because you consider them ugly?
If someone is allowed to dress differently because it's part of their culture/religion (or even that they claim it is and the employer is ignorant of the facts) doesn't that mean in all fairness that others should not have to abide by a dress code either?

It's not the same because of the aspect of choice on the part of the interviewee, but the prospective employer's prejudice IS the same.

Re: Continuing the missed humour... microphonemark April 13 2007, 09:45:39 UTC

Points noted.

You make a good point about the boots / trainers too. I used to substitute my shoes with boots, thinking "how often do you honestly look at someone else's feet"? Apparently the answer is "a lot", and it does make a difference.

If I were to be employing, I would probably favour the skeleton-shirt wearing ripped jean type over others, on the basis of "I have to hang out with this person for 40 hours a week. I should probably like them. So it works both ways!

midnightschilde April 12 2007, 21:04:31 UTC

Some more thoughts, not one person that interviewed for a job at my place wore a suit, I think I am out of date or something. Additionally I know a man who is a wheelchair user who talked to me about peoples differing reactions when I dyed my hair red. He said that people tend to totally ignore him so he experimented with his hair and makeup to make people look, very interesting.