The American Heritage Dictionary defines racism as "the belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others." After four years of working at BSU I would have told you that no one was racist where I work. Six months later, that has changed. After moving from being a server to working in the kitchen, I work with a racist.
Every day she works is consumed by tension caused by the blatant disregard for the right of all people to be treated equally. She believes that she is better than everyone else and acts accordingly. She believes she deserves the best hours, the best jobs and the freedom to do whatever whenever. She is offended by the "white" music played by WLBC, the radio station played in our workplace, so she listens to unedited rap music on her personal stereo, as loud as she desires. When she doesn't get her way she files a grievance for discrimination, spends extended periods on the phone while on the clock or just leaves her work area returning whenever she takes a notion. There is a racial discrimination lawsuit where I work. Perhaps you've heard?
I work at University Catering with Maetta Vance, the most prejudiced person I've ever had the misfortune of meeting. How can this be? Hasn't Ms. Vance been mistreated, abused and threatened for years to the point that she fears for her safety? Not that I've ever seen. Are her original claims completely unfounded? I don't know. I wasn't there. Here's what I do know:
One, if I had suffered the torturous conditions she claims to have been subjected to, I would have transferred out. She claims she has been scared for nine years by continuous discrimination. Could you work somewhere for nine years if you truly feared for your safety? I couldn't.
Two, if you want to find out how you might react in such a situation all you have to do is mention that you are tired of her invincibility and ready to say something about it. That's what I did and I have since been told that she will "eat me alive," to "be careful" and that she intends to "put my little part time *** back in its place."
Three, even if there is some truth to Maetta's original claims, no one she has contact with at this time has mistreated her on the basis of race or otherwise. She has little to no contact with the two people in our unit who her original complaints were against. The rest of us, including our chef whom she constantly disrespects, are innocent bystanders. Yet we are the ones who deal with her fits of outrage where she slams around the kitchen practically throwing things and muttering under her breath about how she's going to take down the entire university. We are the ones who tolerate her rude behavior. We are the ones who finish or fix her work when it isn't done right if it's done at all.
Four, Saundra Davis is one of the nicest people I've ever worked with. She's considerate, patient and quick to compliment. I don't know what she was like nine years ago but as long as I've known her she has not deserved anything that Maetta has said about her. Saundra goes out of her way to avoid confrontation and conflict with Maetta and it should not even be insinuated that she does differently.
The intent of this editorial is to air the "other side of the story." This is strictly my viewpoint and I am not speaking for my coworkers, supervisors or as a representative of Ball State. However, I would hardly call this account my "opinion" as I have not written anything that I wouldn't swear to in a court of law. After being in the news for two years, I think it is far past time for the whole story to be told. For better or worse I appear to be the only person willing and able to tell it. So there it is. I work at BSU Catering. I work with a racist. Her name is Maetta Vance.
Sarah Oakes is a Ball State employee and writes 'Your Turn' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
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