Does "racism" Exist In The Trucking Industry?

Can you tell about your personal experience

and

How to avoid it in smart ways?

I haven't seen any. We're all just truckers.

I've seen some sexism but I just don't care anymore. Those guys a low lifes anyway.

-mountain girl

Funny you should ask. My black female friend just said she is shocked that white southern men are more likely to get out of their trucks and guide her with backing than black men. They even call her ma'am. The black men on the road call her terms of endearment when flirting, but not necessarily the same level of respect the white men show.

I thought that was interesting. And her northern black family didn't believe her because the social and media hype that stigmatizes southern whites as bigots.

I have not seen any racism out here. Occassionally I'll hear slurs on the CB but it's very infrequent.

I see no color out here just another driver trying to make a living and arrive safely. Mutual respect.

I'll be the foil...

There's racism EVERYWHERE - and NOWHERE. Same thing with reverse racism - that's claimed not to exist, yet is evident

Can't have it both ways, can't deny that due to people's ignorance, that it doesn't still exist - in this country or anywhere else on the planet. Human nature can be cruel.

But karma is a 2-way street AND a female dog. One can avoid racism, by not being racist themselves.

As truckers, we are all brothers/sisters - as long as we remain mindful of that fact, we put our differences aside and look out for each other. Racism doesn't exist any more (or less) in trucking - than it does in the real world.

Interesting question though - must admit it's the first time I've seen one of this nature here.

Rick

Yep same here. You have the occasional idiots on the cb trying to stir up **** but most of the black drivers give it right back and actually pretty comical and seem to shrug it off as dumb arsed dipstick just being dipsticks. I actually seem to have more extended conversations with the black drivers than any of the other ethnicities out here myself. Guys just being guys, heck we even hold doors for each other. As gruff and ornery as most truck drivers look we seem to be a rather polite bunch. Just don't sit in the fuel Island too long or block the flow of traffic.

LOL!

JJ

Rick wrote:

I'll be the foil...

There's racism EVERYWHERE - and NOWHERE. Same thing with reverse racism - that's claimed not to exist, yet is evident

Can't have it both ways, can't deny that due to people's ignorance, that it doesn't still exist - in this country or anywhere else on the planet. Human nature can be cruel.

But karma is a 2-way street AND a female dog. One can avoid racism, by not being racist themselves.

As truckers, we are all brothers/sisters - as long as we remain mindful of that fact, we put our differences aside and look out for each other. Racism doesn't exist any more (or less) in trucking - than it does in the real world.

Interesting question though - must admit it's the first time I've seen one of this nature here.

Rick

Okay Rick,...now you got me thinking below the surface.

I think everyone has a preconceived notion of equality before becoming a truck driver. I believe where the prejudice begins to soften, looking beyond color is when it becomes obvious there is no division among the ranks of the drivers. We are equals in that regard, no better or worse because of race, religion or education. Put a different way, a black man has the same exact chance for success as a truck driver as anyone. The playing field is level. First time in my 57 years of life I have witnessed this.

And like I said, I don't see "it" or hear "it" in trucking like I have in other facets of my past professional and personal life. I do agree with your points about taking personal responsibility in treating everyone equally regardless of color.

I have helped numerous new drivers at the DC running super solo, orienting/training them on the account...the color of their skin never mattered to me and everyone interacting with me knows that.

Important topic. Thanks for asking the question MooKeuk.

Like anywhere in life, act like a victim and become a victim. Same thing with being robbed. Those that act weak become targets for all sorts of things. Wolves prey on the weak. The only difference is that humans walk upright.

People need to quit thinking of themselves based on color. Instead they need to think of themselves as Americans.

If you are looking to be offended you will be. I will tell you a story about a previous boss.

Memphis is probably the best example of a group of people that have a victim mentality. Never seen it anywhere else. Our company was installing a new phone system, we are talking 10k lines. They wanted to do something a certain way but that was not possible at all. Now he was a white guy from NY. He got frustrated with them in n a meeting after trying to explain to them how this had to be done or there would be a huge mess and in frustration said "You guys just don't understand."

They kicked him out claiming that he was being racist. It was a totally innocent comment they took the wrong way. If you look to be insulted you will be.

Trucking is not only risky and difficult, but it's performance-based. Just like in sports, performing at a high level in trucking takes a great work ethic and a lot of time to develop your skills. So people in trucking care a whole lot less about a person's race, sex, or age and a whole lot more about whether or not they can turn big miles safely and consistently. There's a level of respect amongst most top level peers in this industry that will see past all that. Almost anyone who knows what it takes to do this job and live this lifestyle will have a certain level of respect for others that have achieved the same. That respect will often override any underlying prejudices a person might have had otherwise.

I'll be the foil...

There's racism EVERYWHERE - and NOWHERE. Same thing with reverse racism - that's claimed not to exist, yet is evident

Rick

reverse racism, is racism.

On this site our race is mostly anonymous. As I drive around, I would say I see more black people driving trucks than white. I personally don't care. There are idiots everywhere. Idiots come in all colors, shapes and sizes. As several have said there is discrimination everywhere. We are discriminated because of our skin color, weight, height, how we dress, where we come from, mistakes we made in our past. Some people just look for reasons to put other people down. Rant over. Stay safe.