I'm south Asian too and not only is this comment completely unproductive for a discussion on racism but it completes shut downs the discussion by calling the OP a whiner.
Also the OP has worked at 3 of the top tech organizations in the US. I think the only person who needs to get their "shit together" is the original interviewer and perhaps you for shutting down this discussion (which is desperately needed).
It is not about a group of people. He was asking him because of his skin color, not some group of people. And when the interviewer continued to ask YOU questions about your ethnicity is disparaging terms and would not talk tech then what? You may not identify with your ethnicity or skin color but the CEO certainly did. You would have taken the job with someone who only saw you that way? Where is your self respect?
>> If words and sentences about race push your buttons then you're one of those whiny people who I wouldn't want to hire.
Taken alone without context, I'd agree with this statement but where does one draw the line?
Many organizations are homogenous enough where whining over race(gender/class/religion/sexuality)-related comments is a rare event. Have you ever worked in a diverse organization where whining over the aforementioned was normal (and hence annoying from your viewpoint)?
The OP is not about whining over racism. It's about how-to talk about race when two people are considering a mutually-desired conversation. Your commentary is whining over a hypothetical "whine" that never took place in the OP's world (unless you count being publicly invited to speak on hiring experiences). I repeat: Have you ever worked in a diverse organization where whining over the aforementioned was normal (and hence annoying from your viewpoint)?
Practically speaking, let's not overlook the legality of "words and sentences about race" when hiring in the U.S. Take your liberty but don't break the law [0] --if only for the health and well-being of your organization if not self.
What possible purpose could it serve to ask that question in a job interview?
I always believe that job interviews are two ways; the applicant interviews the company as much as the company interviews the applicant.
Also, he didn't whine. He rationally explained as well as he could in a few minutes and moved on. Ultimately, the company liked him but, he wisely didn't go with a company that would have such terrible interviewers and allow such terrible questions in the interview.
