Silence is violence.

If you see racism in the work place, you need to call it out. I know, it's uncomfortable and challenging, especially if it's to someone above you, but you must do it anyway.

Because whatever minor discomfort you might feel, it's nothing to racist harm.

I've called a boss I had out repeatedly on it. "You can't say that."
"It's a joke." "Not a good one. Makes it unsafe for people to come to work, makes them feel bad about working here."
"Oh this is nothing from when I was in school. The skips used to do and say many things"

Yeah, and those skips were racist too. Remember how you felt listening to their racist jokes?
"Yeah well we gave back as good as we got"
You think some junior staffer from a culture where respect to elders is important is going to talk shit back to you? No they aren't.

So he stops, and then a time later makes another comment, about a different demographic. Hey boss, I like girls too you know.
"Huh you're with a man and have three babies"
Yep, but I've dated women before, and I find them attractive. You don't want this queer working here?

"No chef, no chef that's not what I mean, it's just a joke."

This is your restaurant, yeah? But this is my kitchen when I'm in it. I don't want to hear that in here. We respect and include everyone.
"OK chef, ok."
Near the end of the shift he comes back, "Did I upset you chef?"

I'm not gonna burst into tears boss, but it bothers me. I want the staff to feel safe and appreciated here. I don't want them to feel like they have to laugh along with racism. I won't work in a place like that.

"OK chef, OK. I'm from a different time you know, we just..."

Well, today you learnt that the different time doesn't have any place in this time.

And that was the end of conversation. There were others, though they grew further and further apart, because everytime "I spoke to you about that racist stuff, quit it."
Does that make him less racist? Probably not. Does it mean he realises the work place isn't a place for it?

Also, probably not, but, it meant that when I worked, it didn't come into my kitchen. Is that enough? No. All I can do is tell the kids they don't deserve racist shit and they deserve a job where they will be treated with respect. And that if they want a reference I'll write one

Now in a bigger company, you could make an HR complaint, but my conversation was with a business owner. He was my boss, I went as high as it could go.

And this thread isn't some white savourism crap. It was me sticking up for a teen kids, in their first jobs. It was me telling him, and showing them, that his behaviour wasn't acceptable.That I didn't agree with it. I don't think it was enough.And I'll try to do better next time.

But if you've got the protection of whiteness, then you have to speak up.