Employers have to apply their respectful workplace policies equitably across the boards. Giving minority workers an edge when it comes to discriminatory behaviours does not help minorities and may be interpreted as an insult.
In one of the cases below, a white employee won his case against his employer who fired him because of discriminatory behaviour involving circulating discriminatory email against blacks whereas when a black employee did the same thing - circulated discriminatory email against whites - that employee was given a few days suspension.
At the heart, discrimination involves treating people with respect and means doing away with stereotypes. It requires a paradigm shift in our thinking. We have to develop new ways of relating to each other without relating to worn out stereotypes. We have to think before we speak and develop new "jokes" based on individual characteristics - excluding race, age, sex, sexual-orientation, gender-determined characteristics, marital status, religion, disability etc. It requires some brain work which stereotypes do not encourage. When people use stereotypes to talk about others it highlights their ignorance and need for more education.
http://diversityinc.com/legal-issues/white-employee-wins-racial-discrimination-lawsuit/
