A Broken Dream: Racism Hidden Behind a Smile

I still remember the day I arrived in Switzerland. The landscape was beautiful, the air was clean and the people seemed friendly. I was excited to build a future in this new country. But I soon discovered that integration is not always easy, especially when you are labeled not for your skills, but for your origins.

During my job search, I encountered an episode that deeply shocked me, highlighting a dark side of a society that I thought was more open and tolerant.

I was carefully leafing through my CV, ready to send it to the first companies I found. I asked my Swiss friend for help in sending it to a recruitment agency, he decided to send it to a colleague of his who works there.

Her answer left me speechless: 'The Albanian CV is interesting, but we need to see if the Albanian princess fits any of the roles'.

At that moment, I realized that my job search would be more complicated than expected.

It is disconcerting to see how someone so young (25-30 years old), who should be sensitive to issues of inclusiveness and diversity, could express such backward opinions.

I was astonished by that response. Not only had I been reduced to a label, but that label was full of negative stereotypes. His colleague, with her light-heartedness, had revealed a deep prejudice, a distorted and simplified vision of an entire culture. I felt as if I had been put up for auction, judged not by my skills, but by my nationality. My self-confidence was undermined, and I began to doubt my abilities. I felt like an intruder in a country that until that moment I had considered welcoming.

It is unacceptable that someone who works in human resources, where there is so much talk about diversity and inclusion, can allow herself to express such discriminatory opinions. How can she evaluate the potential of a candidate if she is unable to recognize her prejudices? This episode raises serious questions about company culture and staff training. It is essential that companies invest in training their employees on diversity and inclusion, and that they adopt clear and strict policies against any form of discrimination. Only then can we create more equitable and welcoming work environments for all.

If a human resources person is unable to recognize the seriousness of a racist comment, legitimate doubts arise about their professional skills. How can they evaluate the potential of a candidate if they are unable to recognize their prejudices and create an inclusive work environment?

Unfortunately, racism is a widespread phenomenon in many societies, even the most seemingly progressive ones. Microaggressions, like the one I experienced, are often more subtle and damaging than the most obvious expressions of hate. These small daily devaluations erode self-esteem and create a climate of distrust and hostility.

When I confided in my closest friends about what had happened, I felt welcomed and understood. Their solidarity gave me the strength not to give in to frustration. However, some reactions deeply hurt me. Being told that I was too sensitive made me feel invalidated in my experience. I realized that racism is not just an individual problem, but a systemic problem that requires a profound cultural change.

These contrasting reactions made me reflect on the complexity of racism and the difficulty of talking about it openly. However, the solidarity of my closest friends gave me the strength not to give up and to continue fighting to integrate as every person deserves to be treated because we are all citizens of the world.

I started to be afraid of job interviews, but also just sent my resume elsewhere, fearing that I would have to face prejudice and discrimination again. I was afraid of meeting people who would judge me only because of my origins.

My experience is not an isolated case. Statistics from the Federal Statistical Office for 2022 reveal that 22% of foreigners living in Switzerland declared that they had experienced discrimination (whether at work, healthcare, sports, etc). This means that almost 3 out of 10 people in Switzerland say they have experienced discrimination in the last five years.

This figure confirms how widespread the problem of racism is. As numerous studies show, racial microaggressions, like the one I experienced, can have a significant impact on people's mental health, increasing the risk of depression and anxiety, thus influencing the loss of self-confidence or the difficulty in building interpersonal relationships. We all must commit to combating all forms of racism and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Discrimination is not inevitable.

Racism is like a virus that infects society, undermining the foundations of civil coexistence. But like any virus, racism can also be defeated with the antidote of solidarity and empathy.        

My experience is just one example of how racism is still deeply rooted in our society. But we must not give up. Each of us can do our part to build a more just and inclusive future. Let's report discriminatory behavior, support anti-racist initiatives, and above all, let's talk openly about this issue, challenging stereotypes and promoting intercultural dialogue. Only in this way can we create a society where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of their origins.