Essay Thirty-Six

The following entries appeared at BlackVoices.com…

Are you the only black person at your job? Do you enjoy it or do you hate it? Do you think a lot of the problems you have at work are just because you are black?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am the only black queen at my job and I am treated like a slave. We have these cubicles and a non-covered desk in the front, so I asked to sit there and was told no — but when they hired this Caucasian woman she was all but courted to this desk.

I am now stuck in the back corner in a cubby and take on several tasks as Admin, Customer Service, Reception and Sales — but the young Caucasian woman who has been with the company for 2 years does nothing all day and yet makes more than me.

There are also the little colored jokes at my expense, like the stereo that was bought for the office. I was directly told, "NO RAP MUSIC OR GHETTO MUSIC" — and I am light-skinned. Imagine what would be said for a true black woman (who, by the way, applied for one of the positions and was turned down; and after she left, I heard them — the boss and office manager — laughing because she had burgundy hair). It's not fair — where is the unity? I would love to work for a "black-owned, black-operated" company in Baltimore, but I can’t seem to find one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

I just read your posting and I send you my deepest sympathy. Although I do believe you are selling yourself short to tolerate mistreatment from anyone in a workplace whether they are white or black. The answer to your problem is not to tolerate it. I get so upset when we as minorities get so riled up over racism, and then when it presents itself we lie down and take it. Am I saying quit your job? No! I am saying let it be known that you are a proud black Goddess and that you are proud of who you are. If I brought a radio and I was told no rap or ghetto music, I would have said, "Then I guess there will be no country, classical or trailer trash music." I bet you guys would have been listening to nothing but the sound of shock. The thing is, they cannot set forth rules for just one person any time — if they say you cannot do something then that very well applies to the whole office whether they like it or not. We have to become a force to be reckoned with. Tolerance of racism is acceptance. Keep your head up and pray for the answers you need for coping with your coworkers. And if all else fails, ask Him for guidance in your career. I bet He’ll give you the courage to move on and the wisdom to find something better. I did it and I was afraid because I had two children, but He promises to provide His children with what we need. It is up to us to get what we want.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Although I am not the only black person in my office, there are only three others in the entire building. I am the only one who comes from what is deemed to my coworkers as the “bad part of town.” I never thought it was an issue because I love what I do and no one can change that. Basically, I ain’t going nowhere. I don’t have a lot of problems here because I do what I am supposed to and I excel at it. Everyone here is quite respectful of others. The job I was at previously was much worse but that had a lot to do with me not wanting to be there anyway. I heard a lot of the white employees say things that were stereotypical and I would correct them every time I heard it, and I even encouraged other black coworkers to do the same. Face it, we spend more time during the week with our coworkers on an average than we do with our own family. I’ll be a monkey’s uncle before I subject myself to feeling uncomfortable and disrespected. I don’t allow it from the people who I love most and I sure as heck will not accept it from a group of people who have no clue about who I am. If the issue ever arises at my current job, I will politely and professionally say what it is I have to say — and fight come with it if need be. I would anticipate the consequences of speaking out for what I believe in, and if I were to be dismissed then I would know this is not the place for me because that would only mean they don’t respect me as a person with integrity, self-respect, morals and limits.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i too am the only black person at work in baltimore, surrounded by foreigners. but it isn't a professional job; just fast food — and let me tell you, i make it my duty to let them know that THEY are the minority in my world. didn’t ask ‘em to come, not pressed for ‘em to stay, probably forget ‘em if they go — so, it’s interesting. i also make it my personal mission to be as politically correct with them as possible. they ask me, "did you move ‘xyz’?" my response, "why would i move ‘xyz’? because i’m BLACK?!" works in just about every situation. but never try this if something has been stolen. actually, there won't be any need, at least not at my job, because they already know to come to me.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am the only black person in my office. I don’t like it. I work in an office that takes care of international students. Basically, I round out the office nationalities: white, german, hungarian, indian, pakistani. There has definitely been some nitpicking by my boss towards me for little things. Another reason I don’t like it is because of the foreign people I deal with — they are some very annoying people that some days I make every effort to ignore, in any way I can, without being called into my boss’ office.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

yes, it’s so bad that i had to work on Martin Luther King’s birthday and McDonald’s was the only place that celebrated Black History Month!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would like to address the issue of confronting racism in the workplace. I did and now I’ve been suspended and face termination. (Of course, I’ve filed a discrimination case. Admittedly, the community — staff of color — is not supportive).

As the only African-American teacher in a detention facility whose population is mostly comprised of Blacks and Latino clients, I have overheard other teachers speak negatively about the students. In particular, one teacher comments regularly that she “hates” the students — she is convinced that they are all “guilty criminals.” After lunch, there is a “Character Education” class in which most of the teachers put a movie on and talk to each other — awaiting the time to flee the place.

I, on the other hand, completely love this work and I have made such a favorable impression on these students. I have inspired them to further their educational goals by conquering their educational deficits. The students took such an interest in their schoolwork — even opting to stay later in the school rather than go back to the unit to watch television.

The jealousy from my white peers was quite obvious. Yet, I ignored them for their obvious lack of professionalism. My major roadblock, my supervisor, seemed to micro-manage my every move while oblivious to the others. (He claimed he had no idea that other teachers didn't have a curriculum for their classes.) Ironically, as a former teacher, he was renowned to “put in movies” instead of teaching.

At a staff meeting, I told one teacher about herself — when she went on about how the students act up in her class. (I’ve earned the respect of the students... and one educational observer stated that in all his years, he has not observed students who were so on task in my classroom. He said it seemed as if they were college students). This teacher was accusing me of “playing favorites.” I told her that students might not respect her because they may feel her hatred toward them as I do. I said, “I hope the teachers who care for your children have more regard for them than you do for these students!”

Long story short, she’s working and I’m not. Go figure!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am the only black person at my job and I really feel uncomfortable because I feel like I don’t have anyone to identify with. I am a customer service rep. There’s so much more I don’t like — fake laughing at their jokes that aren’t funny; plus, I was invited to my boss’ b-party and I already know I’m not going. I’ve been with the company only two months and had very poor training. I was just thrown in after two weeks on my own. I am really frustrated with the job already, because I am doing enough work for two people and still don’t really have the proper training. I don’t like some of the things that go on at work and I am planning to have a meeting with the manager.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, I am — and I say so what. What’s the big deal? You’re black and that’s obvious. I’m there because I want to be. In fact, being the only black person gives me the advantage.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AS AN OLDER EMPLOYEE, I HAVE EXPERIENCED SO MANY THINGS THAT RACE IS NO LONGER A FACTOR WITH ME. I HAVE BEEN IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY FOR 30 YEARS. WHAT IS OF IMPORTANCE TO ME IS THE QUALITY OF MY WORK AND THE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE EVOLVED FROM WORK. DON'T THINK THAT I FEEL THAT RACISM IS NOT AROUND. I KNOW THAT IT IS ALIVE AND WELL. I HAVE HAD TO PUSH MYSELF BEYOND THAT IN ORDER TO LET MY TRUE SELF BE. IF I HAVE ANY NEGATIVE FEELINGS TOWARDS ANYONE IT IS BECAUSE THAT PERSON DID SOMETHING NEGATIVE TOWARDS ME. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS LETTING ANYONE KNOW IF I THINK THEY’RE WRONG, AND I DO MEAN ANYBODY! AS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO ESTABLISH COMPANIES AND BUSINESSES THAT REFLECT OUR ECONOMIC POWER — INSTEAD OF THE CRABS IN THE BARREL SYNDROME. I DO NOT INTEND TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE COMPLAINING ABOUT “YOU KNOW WHO.” I HAVE NEARLY LOST MY LIFE FROM UP CLOSE. AND I HAVE WATCHED PEOPLE DESTROY THEIR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD. IT WAS GIVE ME A SLAVE FOR? AND I'LL KEEP HIM A SLAVE FOR?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was the only Black person in my department at work. I was working for a television station and everyone in my department was white. It was one of the worst working experiences I’ve ever had. Prior to obtaining the position at this company, I worked with white people and I didn't have too many problems. The worst part about the recent job is I took a huge pay cut, worked long hours, and wound up working with a bunch of loud, self-absorbed, obnoxious b*tches. They were all friends prior to joining the organization, the executives loved them, and they all came from wealthy families. Picture four Paris Hiltons working together. It was so bad and I felt out of place. The worst part is I had to rely on these girls for information. They would help because they had to, but I’m sure they didn’t want to assist me at all.

They would gossip all of the time, IM each other although they all sat next to each other. They were nice the first day, but afterwards they were horrible. Every morning I was greeted with stares. They would discuss “non-important” topics. Every morning they would ask each other questions or make comments like, “Where did you buy those shoes… are they Prada? Oh my God...I paid $400 for this skirt… so cheap. I can’t eat that I will gain a pound…” — and it went on and on and on. I couldn’t relate to them at all. Not once did I hear them talk about the local news or world events. Grown-ass woman acting like spoiled brats. I felt very uncomfortable and dreaded going into work. If I messed up on a project or was taking too long, they would make me feel incompetent by making indirect comments about my work. I complained to my boss and nothing happened. I had to leave the place when nothing was done. I didn’t feel comfortable working in an environment like that. I didn’t trust anyone in my department. I went off during my exit interview. I was not going to leave without saying something to HR. I wanted to confront all of them, but I knew that wasn’t going to help.

I spoke to someone recently and they mentioned the sista that replaced me was fired. She only lasted a couple of months like I did. I’m glad I left on my own. I know success is the best revenge, but I’m still bothered by this. I believe what goes around comes around, and I really hope they get what’s coming to them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

I am the only salaried minority supervisor in the manufacturing plant in which I work, and I have asked my boss, plant manager, plant human resource manager as well as the corporate HR manager about any minority mentoring programs within our company and they all don’t know of any. The answer I got from our plant HR person was that there will be some diversity training coming up in the near future. That’s fine, but I need to talk to someone now. They all say they have open door policies and that I can come and talk to them anytime. I tell them that’s great — but the issues I want to talk to them about, they wouldn’t understand. Is there a minority mentoring program out there where I can talk to someone who can relate to the problems I am dealing with? I have been supervising for 8 years and have only met perhaps 6 other supervisors within the corporation. Our corporation is owned by Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffett). Our plant has about 250 employees, 21 of which are minority. I try to encourage others to take leadership roles, but they only want to complain and say that it’s no use because the “white folks” are gonna do what they want to do anyway. It’s hard to stay positive in such a negative environment. I enjoy my job, but at times I don’t like it due to the fact that I am alone. I don’t speak up a lot in meetings because when I do, I either get ignored or put down. I get extra duties because I have better computer skills than the other supervisors in my department, but when it comes to bonus time, I get graded low due to “my lack of technical skills.” That’s a lot of BS. This is extremely frustrating. Any help or advice someone can give will be greatly appreciated.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was the only Black person in my office. I think that the Executive Director assumed I would be a minstrel-yes ma’am-type. To say that I was treated unfairly is an understatement. Although I was talented, I spoke up too much and alienated myself from my coworkers — that is what I was told the day I was let go.

I hated being the only sister in my office. I had very little in common with my white coworkers. They could not identify with my struggles and I could not identify with theirs. My cornrows were such a major fascination for them. At first I saw it as an opportunity to educate the ignorant. However, it didn’t take long for me to see that I was simply a source of lunchtime amusement for the office. My culture and my people were misunderstood. My music was inappropriate in MY office. My print of David Hammons’ "The Door" was offensive and inappropriate — it was not sending a message of unity. I could go on and on about the ignorance and prejudice...

Never again will I subject myself to an all-white office — NEVER AGAIN!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No. Because it is not about color. It is about “knowledge.” People like you or not, whether you are Black. Just be Black, proud, and constantly educate yourself and you will notice that race is not the color. In your mind, people will persecute you for being Black, so let them.

I am always the only Black person, and I show it through my color and education.

It’s great to be Black.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Be glad you have a job. Better yet, stop complaining. Go look elsewhere. Or better yet, forget about the situation around you and take the negative and turn it around to positive, and what the Black Queen gets all the attention to her amazement. Learn the Game of Life, we all will die, and die like flies, so enjoy your life and stop tripping. Hang Tight, Sista.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My advice to you is to speak up about any uncomfortable situations your coworkers or supervisors are putting you in. My sister experienced similar situations with her supervisor. It got to the point where she became extremely stressed. I gave her the same advice over and over again. Instead of addressing the situation, she just quit the job. You have the right to be treated and spoken to in a respectful and professional manner, regardless of how they feel about you. Let a supervisor know what’s going on and if nothing is done go to your human resources department. There are company rules and laws to protect you from being mistreated.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actually I’m on my husband’s username and I completely understand where you are coming from but it is public exposure that hurts companies like that. I am a nurse in the south and it is hard working for supervisors that only want to promote the non-African women to higher positions or just give us bad reviews and call it a day. It was all the black women on my job except for one who were told they were basically average or below, and that our uniforms were not up to standards. We were the only women in the company with more tailor-made and Nike-wearing sisters in the place. But I could go on but I'll end it there.