I work in a small team and my colleagues (including my boss, so I cannot report this) keep making very rightwing, racist comments. They are intelligent people I like to work with, but sometimes they make awful comments about “us” v “Muslims”. I find this totally unacceptable, but when I challenge them, I am the one who is ostracised. I work in a small, niche environment, and finding another job in the same sector will not be possible. Should I keep quiet when they make these unacceptable comments? Continue to challenge them but stay in an uncomfortable position? (I studied theology so I can challenge them, but then I sound like a smartarse.) Or do I accept that, at 28, I need a career change? Generally I have a good life, with good pay and like all my colleagues – except for this aspect. And I am not sure a career change will stop such opinions barging into my life.
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