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April 28, 2003
Is Quixtar Racist?
By QBlog in
One night my wife decided to take some prospects to a Quixtar meeting. This meeting was where different IBOs got together on a regular basis to show the plan, meet new faces, share information and encourage one another. Since this meeting was technically held by a different upline group she contacted one of the members to be sure that her attendance would not be a problem (her own upline had already cleared it because it was technically not cross-lining). My wife was basically told that she would be better off not bringing her friends to this meeting and that she should find another meeting for them. Her friends are Black.
Many reasons were given for this snub but the one that still sticks with me today is being told that these friends would be better off with people they could relate to. Translation: Blacks should stick with Blacks.
Now, I should mention, that this was quickly cleared up and the man who provided the initial snub was overruled and discredited as someone who was in no position to make such decisions. My wife was told that she and her friends were welcome to attend the meeting. However, the initial snub had been made and the lingering question remained: "Did these IBOs really not want blacks around or was it just a misunderstanding as they were now saying?"
Where I live racism is alive and well. I can recognize it where sometimes others cannot. While this particular incident may be the exception rather than the rule among IBOs, I can say that nothing was done to recognize it in the context of a racial snub and therefore the behavior went unchecked, at least from my perspective.
So, is Quixtar Racist?
Probably not, not in the way we think of racist corporate practices (anyone remember Denny's?). However, I've been to a couple of conferences and noticed that there were virtually no minorities represented in the audience. There were some but not many. I also know that the Alticor board of directors is a very white group of folks. This is not a crime and reflects a similar composition that exists in many, many board rooms. It also doesn't mean that Quixtar is racist. What it does mean is that there are a lot of white people making the decisions. Nothing wrong with that. Just a fact to keep in mind.
I know that there are quite a few minority Diamonds but I wonder how many of them are actually the movers and shakers in the business. I talked to Bo Short one night and he explained that there were three levels of Diamonds. Only the top level, the ultra-rich, were able to actually make any sort of policy decisions within Quixtar, Alticor or Amway. I wonder how many (if any) of these top level Diamonds are minorities.
I'm not making any accusations. All I'm doing is making some observations. I'd be interested in hearing if my experience is isolated or if others have witnessed racial conflicts in Quixtar.
Comments
Well, I was in the Gala LOS. Racism was in there!!! yes, in our stupid east Indian and Pakistani community!!!!
E.g. my upline made fun of a Chinese prospect I brought. The guy left early that's why! And a Diamond made fun of a colleague of mine in Hindi. (she doesn't know Hindi, and yes, she was Caucasian). Sugeet said, "Where did you catch her" and my sponsor lady was laughing hard at his joke.
Have I received racist remarks outside Quixtar? Oh yes. Mostly from government folks, concerning my accent. NEVER in private sector. Ok once, a bigoted colleague ;) But it was a joke. I make fun of his low mojo so it's fair ;)
Anyways, just wanna know Racism goes both ways. Whether it's red necks, or stupid Indians.
Everyone rejoices BIG TIME when a minority makes it in the business. Remember...when Roger Banister first ran the mile under 4 minutes (something they said could not be done) many followed that same year. I sincerely hope that more minorities are successful in the future. I have several in my business that are making huge strides. It's just a belief issue and has nothing to do with racism.
Posted by: mike-quixtar IBO | May 7, 2004 2:28 PM