[un1xl0ser]

It is quite clear that this was not an inclusive working environment. Some of the comments on their own are not overtly racist, but it is certainly walking thin line.

I've had a situation that was sort of similar where a co-worker made a comment on my clothing being too uhm, urban. Jeans, oversized hoodie (hood up), and shit kicker boots. I was sick, and it was freezing out walked into a meeting and it was announced that Eminem just walked into the meeting. My reply was (paraphrased) that "Is that the only white rapper you know, I don't look anything like Eminem". I guess I was looking for something like Sage Francis or Necro, but I digress. I felt singled out for the way that I dress. Now I guess that anyone can debate here if what I said or the initial comment was racist, but I would say that it wasn't, just ignorant and stupid. That said, if that comment was slanted ever so slightly to the fact that I have some Jewish heritage, it would trigger a soft spot and would have REALLY irked me. Had some issues with that early in life.

So considering the more over-the-top racist comments, and initial reaction of management when confronted, this whole situation is really awful and should not happen. Instead of debating if this is really racism, we should probably just try to limit and control it's effect on our lives. It exists, it's all around us and you don't have to look very far, even in tech companies.

[mratzloff]

> I've had a situation that was sort of similar where a co-worker made a comment on my clothing being too uhm, urban.

That's not the same thing at all. The guy in question was accused of dressing too "thuggish" when he was wearing skinny jeans and wingtips. In other words, because he was black, regardless of what he was wearing.

A joke was made about how you were dressed because you had a hoodie with the hood up and are apparently white... like Eminem[1][2][3][4].

[1] http://cdn.preview.thumbplay.com/VAN/Thumb_Preview/Wall/UMG/...

[2] http://images.hitfix.com/photos/703638/eminem-hoodie_article...

[3] http://www4.pictures.gi.stylebistro.com/Eminem+Tops+Hoodie+0...

[4] http://inthehoodie.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/emine...

[un1xl0ser]

Uhm, those comments were not connected in the story, it was wingtips provoking the RUN DMC comment. Baggy jeans and thuggish were connected in the story, which does make some modicum of sense. If anything I would say that the skinny/wingtip == RUN DMC comment was more worrisome because it is completely out there.

Lots of rappers wear hoodies. My point wasn't that anything there was racist, just that you do get comments for dressing differently, not fitting in. Those alone don't make this racist, the other comments do.

So is it that baggy jeans are less professional looking, or a racially motivated attack on urban lifestyle and dress. It doesn't matter really, the rest of the comments provide enough of a backdrop for us to make our own conclusions, which is all this is.

[mnjoltr]

I felt singled out for the way that I dress. Now I guess that anyone can debate here if what I said or the initial comment was racist, but I would say that it wasn't, just ignorant and stupid.

Personally, I would say that you are the one who is being ignorant and stupid by dressing like a clown, and then getting all huffy when someone gently pokes fun at you. Also, there's nothing racist about not liking someone's clothing. Clothing is not a race.

In conclusion, douches like you are the reason we have dress codes. Good job.

[MartinCron]

ignorant and stupid by dressing like a clown

What a horrible thing to say. You're being insulting to someone who is trying to contribute and you're totally missing the point. We try to be better than that here.

[flyinglizard]

While his wording is a bit blunt, specific attires can cause disrespect and discomfort among staff. When a workplace doesn't enforce a dress code, I assume it expects its employees to be self governing.

I am not convinced that baggies and a hoodie convey responsibility and professionalism, as befitting someone who has been given a free reign to dress as they see fit.