On the job, their way

Jun 15, 2008 11:59

By CHRIS SERRES, Star Tribune ( Read more... )

islam, minnesota, somali, work, immigrants

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Comments 7

twilight2000 June 15 2008, 20:02:41 UTC
as hard as being "the latest minority" is, behaviours like this:

Target cashiers who declined to scan pork and cabdrivers refusing to transport passengers with alcohol.

Don't help with working within the culture. Refusing to do one's job (cashier) or holding returning passengers hostage for *their* life practices (cabbies) does not endear one to those who might otherwise fight for their right to believe and practice as they wish. Being last in sucks and always has problems (especially and most often from the most recent "last in's" before you) -- but imposing your beliefs on the mainstream culture by refusing to let them practice their lifestyle (whether drinking or eating pork) is no better behaviour than them not letting you practice your lifestyle.

It's a thorny situation that needs to find some redress -- and as long as both sides refuse to play nice, I don't know what that will look like.

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kenosis June 16 2008, 00:37:44 UTC
I don't take jobs that have working conditions I don't like either (unless a mighty compensating differential makes up for it). I'd imagine at least 3σ of all people who work do the same thing.

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eeeo June 16 2008, 01:40:37 UTC
Ahh yes. Religion rears its ugly head again.

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sekhmetsat June 16 2008, 11:30:13 UTC
the uniform is a safety issue.... swirling skirts and shawls like somali women wear can get caught in machinery, maiming or even killing. i'd make them sign a liability waiver, thus any accidents won't fall under the company's insurance.

as for prayer times, no other religion gets special rooms, times or anything else.... when did islam become the state religion?

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beckyzoole June 16 2008, 14:16:28 UTC
In manufacturing, dress is a safety issue. In many service jobs, dress is a security issue -- a uniform lets others know that you have a right to be where you are, doing what you are doing, and should not be interfered with.

I know many Orthodox Jews who have similar religious restrictions, needing to pray three times a day, religious holidays on odd dates, covering their head, women can't wear pants, etc.

They deal with this by either trying to find a compromise acceptable to everyone, or by not taking the job that requires an unacceptable compromise. After all, why did being a doctor become the stereotypical Jewish mother's dream for her son? Or a dentist, lawyer, or accountant? Because as a professional with your own practice, you don't have a boss pressuring you to compromise your religious values. You can set your own hours and wear whatever you want.

I'll bet that Muslims will make up the next big group of doctors, dentists, lawyers and accountants, for just that reason.

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not doctors sekhmetsat June 16 2008, 16:16:44 UTC
nope, i take it you didn't hear the muslim surgical students not wanting to wash their hands because it also violates their purity laws?

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