"Ghetto Dude" And The Job Application

"This is the ghetto dude I spoke to before."

That line was in an email between two individuals discussing hiring a student for a job.  Was the use of a quasi-racial epithet found in some backwards town in the deep south?  Was it used somewhere in the United States?  No.

It was used in the Ontario Government.  No, I am not kidding.  And since the story broke, they now want to apologize.

As disconcerting as it is to learn that this sort of profiling and language continues to be used in modern society, let alone in the Ontario government, the part of the story that bothers me is the reaction of the manager of the person who originated the slur: "I don't know where you're going with this."

Allow me to draw you a map to where I am going with this.

Racially and/or socio-economically charged language is unacceptable in modern society, let alone in the Canadian government.  The fact that the term "ghetto dude" was used in reference to a candidate for a job is shocking.  When combined with the fact that the job itself was as a media analyst, a position described as "a critical part of day-to-day media monitoring and analysis for the Government of Ontario", it becomes unbelievable. 

I wonder, would the successful candidate need to analyze all outgoing emails?  From the circumstances it would appear to be a prudent move.

Comments

[motherbumper]

I am completely floored and shocked (still trying to pick jaw up off the floor). This is the kind of story that needs to be discussed because you are 100% right - this is completely unacceptable regardless of where, who, why it happened.

[Laural]

wow. Just wow. That's awful. And, what he was applying for is in part what I do. And I have nowhere NEAR the qualifications that he has.
I think that in so many cases people think it's okay to say stuff like that to people who "understand" what you mean by that. (I'm not justifying here).
I think what everyone needs to understand is that you just can't say stuff like that. Period. Even as a joke, even to a close friend especially at work and especially over e-mail.
It amazes me what people say thinking I'll "get it". And, I don't. And I say that nicely.
But, can I say, I'm soooo glad I'm not the woman who sent that e-mail.