"John Henry" Syndrome

Josh · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 796 Location: Closer

When it comes to the practice of racism in the work place, the White supremacists fully understand that many Black people are out to "prove themselves" to White people. They understand that many Black people will go to great length to prove that they are as "good" as White people.

The groundwork for this kind of behavior is laid in early childhood; often by well meaning Black "parents" who tell their off spring, "since you're Black, you hafta be twice a good as Johnny..."

This is an example of some of the vague information that victims of racism get that leaves them ill prepared to counter racism in the work place. The White supremacists exploit this type of victim instruction by assigning Black workers tasks that while not necessarially immpossible, are often dull, repetitive or even dangerous.

The Black person faced with this type of mistreatment often adopts a "John Henry" posture and sets out to prove that he can take anything the White supremacists hands out. The result is, the Black person uses up all their patience and diligence at work and brings all the tension and anger home where it ultimately infects other Black people.

All Black people should keep track of duties and assignments in the work place and use LANGUAGE to counter this racist tactic I call the "John Henry" syndrome.

Josh

Dan Freeman · Joined: 12 Apr 2003 Posts: 651 Location: Wherever I'm sent.

Hey, I know exactly what u mean......

I have expeirieced this type of behavoir as well in the workplace.

I've noticed that I was working much "harder" than any of immediate white co-workers.

And at first, it seemed to be the thing to do since I was able to "prove-myself" by showing off how much work I could do in a short period of time...

{{{shakin my head}}}

With hindsight at 20/20, I can't ever recall ever being compensated for exceeding the standard by working "harder"...

Which is why I suspect many black (non white) people don't get compensated for "hard-work" cause that's the only kind of work there is for victims-of-racism. The "hard" kind......

In fact, the only thing I can remember ever "getting" as a result of working "harder" is more damn work!!

I guess this is why presumably, a white person came up with the phrase:

"Work smarter, NOT harder"

NIGGER!!

Cause "hard" work = Nigger work

In california I've heard white people use the term manuel-labor instead of MANUAL-labor to describe "hard work".

In other words, manuel = victim-of-racsim, and that's who MANUAL-labor was designed to be for.

Fuller told me a story one time about a supervisor he had who was forced to get down and do some "hard-work" while he sat and observed as a new employee. He said everything was fine until another "supervisor" walked in and made a joke about Fuller's supervisor doing the "hard-work" and fuller sittin' back watching. Apparently, fullers supervisor didn't take the joke so well and responded to the other supervisor by saying:

"GET ME SOME HELP IN HERE, I'M SUPPOSED TO BE A SUPERVISOR NOT A GOD-DAMN NIGGER"

RWSWJ

smallz
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Understanding is honoring the truth beneath the surface.

MsTreated · Joined: 01 May 2003 Posts: 33 Location: Chicago Vicinity

Sometimes it may not be an attempt to prove one "as good as" white people, but rather a futile attempt at survival. Non-white people are sometimes made to understand that they are indeed the "last hired, first fired", so in an attempt to make themselves "invaluable" they work much harder in hopes that they will not be replaced so quickly by the supervisor's nephew fresh out of high school. (at least not for 6 months) :roll:
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Utchau Metut: "the weighing of words" - the evaluation of concepts, ideas, beliefs, behavioral shaping factors, and spiritual practices"

Josh · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 796 Location: Closer

so in an attempt to make themselves "invaluable" they work much harder in hopes that they will not be replaced so quickly by the supervisor's nephew fresh out of high school. (at least not for 6 months)--MsTreated

Yeah, and this is why I call it the "John Henry Syndrome", have you heard the story?

This is where the heart disease, high blood pressure, diabettes, alcoholism, poor diet, smoking, over weight...

It just makes you dead.

Given John Henry's abilities with a hammer, he should have been the first one trained to run the steam shovel.

But then again, this is a system of White supremacy.

Josh

Wannabright · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 34 Location: Washington DC

Edward Williams · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2003 9:55 pm Post subject:

Wannabright,

Why put those big pictures in your post? In the future it would be better to place a link to the information.
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What is the reason YOU were born into a SYSTEM of INJUSTICE if not to replace it with a SYSTEM of JUSTICE?

Wannabright · Joined: 14 Apr 2003 Posts: 34 Location: Washington DC

V-god, The picture you are referring to IS a link. I know you know you can link images from outside your website... And, I know you know you have the tools for it in your edit post... explain the "in the future" ... quote. Do you not want us to use the tools given?
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We hurl the truth against falsehood and it knocks out its brain, and see, falsehood perishes!

The Qur'an
Sura 21, Ayat 18

Edward Williams · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2003 5:50 am Post subject: Re: They are links..............

Auditor1 · Joined: 17 Aug 2003 Posts: 59 Location: Silicon Valley, CA