I work as a maid in one of the upmarket suburbs in Harare. I am black and my employers are white. Sometimes I am hurt when their kids tell me “that’s your job to clean up our mess” when I try to tell them not to spill things on the floor.
Their comments tell me that, “you are not educated that is why you work for us.” It hurts me so bad that sometimes I think of quitting the job but again I need the money so I end up stuck here. I go to bed every day with a heavy heart and I am afraid I may end up depressed. Please help me, what can I do? – Sister Sue
Dear Sister Sue
I am sorry about the kind of treatment you are getting. People need to learn to appreciate what others do for them. They are paying you to do what you do because they don’t want to do it themselves and that makes you special. You are important in their lives, but sadly they cannot face it or appreciate it.
The real tragedy is that the very high level of unemployment in our country makes it almost impossible for you to risk leaving your job. These people need to appreciate that they need you, that there is something you are good at that they are not and they cannot do without you. Sometimes people say such things out of ignorance or they say them carelessly, without considering the next person’s feelings. What they are saying to you is bad especially if you feel it has something to do with your race.
It would help if you could tell them how you feel about it. The way you say this depends on their age. For example, if they are adults you could tell them straight up that their comments are hurtful an demeaning and that you wish them to stop. If they are young kids, then it’s a different issue altogether. It is not about telling them how it makes you feel but how it makes anyone feel including them. They need to be taught that it is rude and unkind to say such things to another person. You can actually help them learn how to be polite and considerate of other people’s feelings. You can also involve their parents by letting them know how you feel because sometimes young kids only say what they hear the adults saying. – Aunty Lisa
Post published in: Lifestyle