Greetings Mr. Compton,
My name is Michael Hammond; I’m one of the featured guest singers aboard the Navigator of the Seas. I’m being forced to write you and make you aware of the ill treatment that I have received since coming aboard the ship on a replacement contract. I signed on to the Navigator, Monday, April 6th and I immediately went into rehearsals with the vocal captain, Jesse Smith and the dance captain/company manager/cruise director’s wife (which is how she introduced herself), Kelly Duncalfe-Baker. In 2 weeks of being on the ship I have learned and performed 2 of the 3 production shows, where the cast is usually in rehearsals for 2 -3 months. I say all that to say, I’m a quick study as well as professional.
I need to make you aware of an evening during the crossing when the dance captain and I were working on 1 of the production shows: “All Access”. It was at the end of the Free Your Mind number that I was told, “This is when you exit in the first wing and we come out like “Yeah Nigga”. I thought to myself, I could handle this in one or two ways. I could ask her to NEVER say that again which of course would make our working together very uncomfortable or I can put it in the back of my mind. I opted for the latter so we could move forward but I documented it and made sure to tell a few of my cast mates as a back up. Yet I wondered to myself, is this the norm? I was really taken aback by her choice of words, and quite honestly, not only was I appalled that in this day and age people are still referring to African Americans in such a manner, but I was amazed that she felt so comfortable in using such a derogatory statement and shocked at how easily the phrase came to her lips. But above all else, I was quite simply, offended. I’m a man of a certain age and status. I was not raised to speak using such words. I choose not to speak like that nor would I like to be spoken to in such a racist tone especially at the work place where there are many other ethnicities. Again, I was offended.
About a week later, I was taught the last of 3 shows (in less than 30 days). I was told that I would be doing Broadway Broadway, (the opening number), One Night Only, Bojangles & the closing ABBA sequence. I learned the movements and placements 2 nights before the tech run (which, as you know, is performed the of morning the show). This would be the first time I would run it with both the cast and all sets. After the tech run I was asked to stay behind, after the cast was dismissed, and was told by Kelly that I ruined the tech run because I was in the wrong place during one of the numbers and that I had thrown everything off. I asked the Production Manager, Luis Antunes, and he disagreed with that statement saying that I was being pulled from the show, on that particular night, because in fact it was his first time running the show and he had in fact made mistakes. He thought it would be better to give me more time to learn the show instead of having 2 new people in the show on the same night. In addition, the dance captain also told me that she wasn’t 100% certain about me going on because I was “watching” too much. I told her I was watching, to make sure I was in the right place, doing the right thing at the right time. In my many years of being in the entertainment business I have learned that in rehearsal, it’s better to be safe than sorry especially the first time in a technical rehearsal with all technical aspects. The rest of the meeting I was talked to in a condescending manner and made to feel like a child being scolded. I spoke to the production manager about this incident and asked him if we could keep the conversation confidential, as I just needed to vent. I wanted to make him aware of what was happening and I specifically said to Luis, “Please keep this between us as she (the dance Captain) might have been having a bad day”. Needless to say he told her and she retaliated with “He has a attitude”.
I have been dragged into one meeting or another at least once a week and most recently I received a POL, and a very negative 30-day review (which none of my other cast mates received nor have they heard of). I’ve been apologized to for another situation only to be blamed for it 2 days later by the Production manager. Now, he is treating me with hostility. Last night I was pulled into a meeting and told by the Cruise Director, Simeon Baker, “usually you have 30 days to get it together but I’m giving you 5”. This was said after he told me I have to get along with his wife on and off stage.
Since arriving here on April 6th, I have been verbally attacked, verbally harassed, racially targeted and threatened. I don’t expect a pat on the back for doing my job but I also don’t expect to be blamed for the past mistakes of other people whom the company let go. I feel that the playing field was never leveled nor was the slate wiped clean after the last singer’s dismissal. I believe I am being blamed and treated according to the problems and mishaps that he may have caused and that is not fair to me. No, I am not perfect, but I think I have handled this predicament with class, diplomacy and with the utmost professionalism. It’s no one’s desire to be submerged into a new position surrounded by a stressful work environment. At this point, I am constantly looking over my shoulder, second-guessing my talents and I can’t sleep not knowing when or where I’m going to be approached next and told to come to yet another office for yet another meeting, only to be told I have an attitude. I have asked several times what kind of attitude do I have so I would not continue to give this attitude but no one seems to be able to give me a clear concise answer.
At this point in my contract, I am not confident about my standing with RCCL. I was called personally by Robert Kling and asked to be here. I want to believe that I was requested because of my professionalism, talent and overall relationship with this company but this situation has tarnished my reputation and so far has not been conducive to my mental health. I constantly replay the “Yeah Nigga” comment in my head as I wonder if and when it will resurface again. Is this how RCCL feels about it’s minority employees, about African Americans, or just about me. Is this the kind of working environment that RCCL promotes? In 2009, with the installment of the first African American President of the United States, I sincerely hope this kind of behavior is not condoned by any company, let alone RCCL, which has proven to be the pioneer, the leader and remains at the forefront of the cruising entertainment industry.
Sincerely,
Michael Hammond
(Stay Tuned for Tour Blog..........)
