Nomalanga: A Black Woman or Man in a Hostile Work Place
By Nomalanga Mhlauli-Moses
One day I woke up feeling so drained of energy that I just did not want to get out of bed. I forced myself out of bed, showered, got ready and hopped into my car and went to work. At work, I went through the motions as best as I could even though I felt like was about to collapse. That evening, as I sat on the couch at home, away from my children and my husband (they could all sense that it was best to stay away from their cranky mother/wife), I came to a realization. I was dying, slowly, but surely.
Every day, I woke up, took a shower, put on some make-up, did my hair and then walked, as a sheep, to my own slaughter. You see, the reason why I was dying was because I allowed myself to work in a work environment where there were people who were killing me. They didn’t hold a gun to my head or stab me with a knife. That would be too outrageous-right? Instead, they did it slowly and I was no better than them because I was a willing participant. When they poked at me, I reacted! When they talked about me and I heard about it, I cried and believed what they were saying! Every day I went to the building that the slow killing was taking place and I thought that a measly check, given to me every two weeks, was enough compensation for my own death-a slow death but a death, nonetheless…
What I have just described is my life as it was some years ago before I left the particular job that I had at the time. I have heard a number of friends and family members describe a similar set of circumstances where they were “the only one” at their work place and experienced negative treatment.
The terrible part of what I and many women (and men) of color experience is that it can be very subtle. It can be a feeling of being micro-managed or having your errors being paid more attention to than anybody else’s. Sometimes it’s as casual as returning from the weekend and everyone except you is talking about how much fun they had together over the weekend. Sometimes you step out of your office and everyone is gone… They have all gone for lunch and you’re the only one they didn’t invite.
My reaction to this experience was to find a new place to work. One of the “non-negotiables” in my job search was that the workplace had to have a lot of diversity and have inclusion as one of its core initiatives.
Can anyone really ever escape the effects of being excluded because they are different? I don’t think so but I do believe that staying in a work place that constantly erodes your self esteem and self worth is an unhealthy way of living one’s life. Some might say, “You’re being excluded because you’re unpleasant to be around.” Well, if that was the case, I believe that every person who left a workplace that was not inclusive would continue to experience the same treatment everywhere they went. Instead, most people who leave jobs that are lacking in diversity among their employees usually report a better working environment when they are not “the only one” somewhere else.
Nomalanga helps Black Women thrive in their lives and careers. She is a Social Commentator, an Editor at Your Black World , Assistant Professor of Professional Studies and the reigning Mrs Botswana. Visit Nomalanga’s blog at successfulblackwoman.com
107 Responses to Nomalanga: A Black Woman or Man in a Hostile Work Place
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Why dont you take this issue to your black president and black attorney general, they have the power to ENFORCE discrimination laws already on the books, and they have the power to apply severe penalties and even give jail time, through the EEOC.
When President Clinton was in office, there was a great fear of the equal employment opportunity commission, and this type of activity deflated, but now IT IS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH because they know your black govt WILL DO NOTHING, UNLESS THEIR FRIENDS AND THEMSELVES ARE ATTACKED, AND THEY’LL EVEN HAVE THE NERVE TO ASK POOR LITTLE POOR YOU TO SYMPATHIZE WITH THEM, WHILE THEY DRINK CHAMPAGNE AND RIDE IN LIMOS.
I agree. I remember more protection for blacks under President Clinton, and much of that ended under President Bush.
It ended immediately upon Bush’s election. Before Bush was sworn in, my company started sending black technical workers out via a revolving door – nonstop.
I expected the reverse when obama was elected LOL that we’d all be restored to our rightful place LOL
I am not sure what activity you think “deflated” under Clinton! He was the worse curse Black folks ever had. Sadly, Blacks didn’t even attempt to hold him accountable for anything of substance.
Under him we got, in the words of Cornell West “the most cruel welfare reform bill that even Ronald Reagan would not have signed”; Three Strikes went all the way live – the greatest growth in Black male imprisonment than under any president; the gap between Black and White wealth INCREASED; the poor got poorer; etc.
Do your own research. Google “the status of Blacks during the Clinton era.”
One such article you will find:
*It is a shame that all a White man has to do is play a saxophone and visit a Black church for us to get the “illusion” that he loves us sooo much and that we are doing sooo much better with him. No wonder they were able to get our forefathers out of Africa – and we haven’t learned our lessons yet.
The final sentence in the article above was, “It is hard to vote your interests if you can’t judge your circumstances.” Amen to that!
Speaking of Rich Friends, I do believe it was the then Governor Clinton who celebrated with his Rich White Friends when a mentally brain damaged Black man was executed. That execution, which Clinton personally chose to oversee, helped him to get to the White House. How is that for workplace hostility and one being undermined for another’s personal advancement?
*
I am amazed at how an article about hostile white treatment on the job turned into blame against a Black president. I guess it’s so hard to stay mad at white folks – God would be so displeased with us. Therefore, for every hateful act by a White person, we have to find at least two by a Black one.
The only solution to all of this madness is true SELF LOVE. Once you fall in love with your own Black self; no one in the heavens or on earth can mistreat you. Until then, let’s just keep on trying and hoping to be accepted by White folks…
You’re crazy. Black people flourished so much under President Clinton that he was called the Black President. Not the GAY President LOL How much does Obama pay you to spread these stupid ridiculous lies. It is a d**n shame that he’s not out TRYING TO GET US A JOB, INSTEAD OF always worrying about the truth getting out.
Yes, Clinton cut the welfare rolls BY GIVING POOR BLACK MOTHERS JOBS. GOOD JOBS. Some of them became Dept Heads and Managers.
You’re a d**n fool if you think drug dealers shouldn’t be locked up. You’re one of those people who’d rather see drug dealers, rapist, thieves and murderers roaming the streets claiming victim after victim, until the whole community goes down.
I KNOW the facts. I lived it. IF OBAMA ever does anything for black people, I’ll be the first one to sing his praises.
So predictable…
Feelings versus facts. Obviously, you DON’T KNOW, otherwise, there would no name calling or random emotional outbursts.
It is unfortunate that you think “Black male” is synonymous with “Criminal”.
all criminals deserve to be locked up regardless of color. that is what was said.
you’re crazy! Alleda is totally correct. And for the record in my lifetime I have not witness any President that truly helped black people, here or abroad! Wake up black people do your research before commenting. And, the United State jails are just concentration camps for black men, a business. Check out Michelle Alexander’s book THE NEW JIM CROW.
The NEW JIM CROW was revived in the last 3 years, WHEN OBAMA gave all the STATES the right to run their state without fed govt interference it facilitated their rise.
Before WHITE Lyndon Johnson signed affirmative action policy we had one black millionaire, John H. Johnson, now we have hundreds, and even a few billionaires. My educated mother could only teach, do hair, or be a mortician for the black community. Her children have worked as bankers, insurance agents, scientist, technical workers, and authors of books.
Either you are young or you are a liar, OR you need to study the ascent and now the descent of the black man in america.
Hearts have to change/evolve in order to alleviate racism. Laws cannot resolve evil; people have to change to recognize that we are all one: human beings. Until then, nothing will change. I go through the tunnel of isms each and every day, and can certainly relate to what is stated. It’s extremely stressful, but as the article cites, it is most important for people of color to work in a diverse environment. It is a death sentence if one is repeatedly cornered among those who deem themselves superior, and whose perceptions of people of color are negative and false.
@Faye…U hit the nail right on the head! I anticipated something out of President Obama, I knew in March 2009, we were in trouble! He is still dragging his feet for some reason. I would be ashamed if I were him. People have lost jobs, homes, their credit rating and spouses due to this economy.
It is so sad to witness everything the bible has said come to life. I have zero trust in man at this point. Its every man for himself, and GOD for us all. Voting will do nothing. It gets WORSE each term. When I witness working people lose homes over being laid off, all I can do SMDH, and humble myself!
I get tried of te middle class negros who just wine all the time, because the bad white people are acting like “white” people.
Sekou Osei
No government official, state officiail, county official, city official, company CEO, manager or supervisor can FORCE humans to treat each other with respect much less love. Racism is something learned. Racism leaves when love enters. As a Black person who has worked in such hostile environments, I refuse to let others suck the life out of me. I stay positive. I do draw the line to how little foolishment I will tolerate Then the negative ones have to work harder. It is not easy but I definitely forgive and move on!
Smart! Keep making your ancestors proud that they died for you to get that job, BY fighting hard to keep it.
A LOT OF BLACKPEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF RETALIATION IF THEY COMPLAINED WHICH THEY DONT
REALIZE THAT IF THEY COMPLAIN TO THE EEOC THEY BECOME PROTECTED UNDER THE EEOC EVEN IF YOU
GET FIRED FOR TELLING A LIE ABOUT BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST,YOU CAN GET PAID.ASK ANY
DISCRIMINATION LAWYER.THATS WHAT I WAS TOLD.
Nomalanga, I worked in Corp. America for 10 years before I left for good 4 years to change careers. The last job left me so sick I impede up with treatable health issues due working under a hostile work environment. I learned so many lessons that have helped me protect myself add I enter a new career.
diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, d**n near every illness is caused by, or escalated with stress. the pressure that is put on black american workers in particular, IF we’re lucky enough to be hired at all, is almost unbearable these days, BUT
we need to fight for the legacy of civil rights and equal opportunity, that our ancestors died to obtain for US. we must understand that the work place is not a place for friends, put on our warrior suit, protect our private work materials, go to the counselors and get the meds to help us control our stress. WE MUST NOT BE WEAK. AND WE MUST NOT BE SO WEAK THAT WE TAKE EVERY LITTLE SLIGHT AS AN INSULT. IN OTHER WORD, FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS!
KEEP A LIL BIBLE IN YOUR DESK
WALK IT OFF AT LUNCH
MEDITATE
GET A MASSAGE
TAKE THE ANTI-DEPRESSANT WHEN U NEED IT
TAKE A LITTLE WINE ONCE IN A WHILE
MAKE SURE TO VACATION (VERY KEY)
MAKE SURE TO HAVE FUN ON WEEKEND, AND MOST OF ALL DONT FORGET THAT WHITES ARE SUFFERING TOO. GET TO KNOW THEM. U MIGHT DISCOVER THEY ARE SO PATHETIC THAT U FEEL SORRY AND EMPATHIZE WITH THEM.
I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT SHE’S TALKING ABOUT. CAUCASIAN CO- WORKERS ACTUALLY OSTRACIZE YOU IN THE WORKPLACE.
Yes, they do ostracize, BUT someone died for you to get that job, and you owe it to them, NOT to let hurt feelings run you off your job. There are ways to cope with the resultant stress. Find some method that works for you. It can be done.
When managers that control your paycheck start hammering you, start trying to fire you, then you should be worried, but DONT QUIT! DON’T MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM.
Most of the time whites ostracize blacks it is because they want to preserve their racial purity. Negroes cant wait to marry into their race, and they know it.
You need to ask the staffer, who worked for that Lt Gov Jennifer Carrol, in florida who is discriminating against her and even trying to get her jailed. Wasn’t anybody white. Whites rarely go that far.
It was a d**n caribbean and spanish. She said the spanish one set her garbage can on fire intentionally. Whites dont go that far. Ethnic discrimination is just as bad as racial discrimination. So dont think other blacks/browns in the work place is the answer.
The answer is strong enforcement of discrimination laws. It is key. Your president is fighting for illegal aliens rights and everyone else.
The answer is black americans sticking together in the work place to stand up for RIGHT and go to HR collectively.
The answer is, black americans with education, need to STOP running around acting like they are better than blacks with lesser jobs/educ. Causing more division.
Filing a claim is expensive at best; most attorneys require a hefty up front retainer and the plaintiff is therefore unable to pursue litigation once the state/gov completes its investigation.
Sadly these firms are aware of the laws and bet against the employee having the resources to fight them in court so they continue with confidence.
Obama has the power RIGHT NOW to pass an EXECUTIVE ORDER making it EASY for you to file suit. You shouldn’t even need to pay a private lawyer. YOU SHOULD JUST NEED TO GO TO A GOVT AGENCY LIKE THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (EEOC), and they USED TO conduct an investigation (employers hate that) and IF they find reason to sue, THE GOVT USED TO PAY FOR THE LAWYER. Under President Clinton most employees who filed complaints with the EEOC were PROMOTED! That’s how afraid employers were of the CLINTON GOVT.
But they will not sue over your hurt feelings. You better be strong and cope, and stop trying to socialize with whites and just work with them, and get your money.
David, you sound as if Obama is the answer to everything, but what your really trying to infer is that Obama’s lack of action is the cause of everything. Workplace discrimination is but one to the myriad of problems facing the country when Obama assumed office and the behind the scenes lack of support within his own party as well as the blatant opposition on the other side, which you seem to represent by the way, of an often racist platform against Obama has prevented much of what Obama has tried to accomplish. This is a good article about an important African American workplace issue. Why is it that you are the only one trying to turn this discussion into Obama bashing. Go back to Fox News already!
If the TRUTH is obama bashing in YOUR MIND, so be it. If White folks say it is Obama’s job to get them jobs, certainly black people have the right to demand that he not allow them to be mistreated on the job for their vote. If you don’t understand that, you are not intelligent enough to vote.
I was in a hostile work environment created by coworkers who had the ear of the VP. The sad thing about is that my superior who was a male person of color and the head of HR also a person of color but not necessarily black knew this and never came to my aid but instead painted me as an “Angry Black Woman.” Also, my superior knowing that the job market isn’t too kind to people of color in general started to take advantage of the situation that I wouldn’t go any where but take the abuse so he pushed and pushed. I decided to resigned. The result, superior, V.P., and HR head resigned after I left. I’m not sure about the two but I know my superior didn’t have two legs to stand on as I was not only his support but his cheerleader. The sad thing is I am out a job a year later and he jump right into another job in another state where as I don’t have the luxury of moving as readily. Was it worth the integrity and my character to be clean. YES!!!! I’m still looking for work but have also enrolled in school to pursue another career. I’m hoping I’ll be able to catch a 2nd wind.
I call them the Foreign Black KKK. Their goal is to:
Replace all american blacks with black people from their homelands.
Get into mgmt to control who is hired and fired – THEIR PEOPLE FROM THEIR COUNTRY.
Steal the american blacks’ birth right to inherit from their own civil rights movement.
WHAT YOU DO IS:
Find a decent White person in upper mgmt. Explain to them that ETHNIC DISCRIMINATION IS TAKING place. Have them check the foreign black managers hiring and firing record. They will find that EVERYONE HE HIRED WAS A FOREIGN BLACK AND EVERYONE HE FIRED WAS AN AMERICAN BLACK. Since they want to believe so desperately they are better than american blacks, THEY LOVE TO PICK ON THE MOST INTELLIGENT HIGH PERFORMING AMERICAN BLACK. fight and get his black azz fired, or at the least TAKE HIS BLACK AZZ OUT WITH U.
David,
I respectfully disagree on the blanket statement Foreign Black KKK. Have you seen article on the start up tech companies in Sillicon Valley in California. This is a problem with foreigners period. Most start up tech companies are started by Asian including Indians and their staff are all foreigners. It’s as if they’ve taken an oath to not hire Americans period. Now add that with the stereotypes that they’ve seen or maybe experienced with American Blacks…that’s why you will only ever see .001% black face in the collective. I personally knew a young lady who was Kenyan/Scootish and her then fiancé was Irish. He applied at a well known tech company in and was hired 4months later. Come to find out the majority of their staff are foreigners who get hired and they are given at first hiring visas then they become naturalized Americans because the company makes it happen. At the end they are technically “American.” Not a conspiracy but real life.
Very true, and that is why black americans need to be at the forefront of encouraging illegal aliens returning to their homelands. Instead we get black leaders like jesse jackson supporting and encouraging blacks to support them remaining in the country, just because they’re not white. These foreigners treat us worse than white rascist. Good white people want to see them go, and so should we.
They have taken an oath NOT to hire any americans black or white. They need to go regardless of their color. They know nothing of equal opportunity and dont want to know. The govt allowed them here, and the govt CAN make them go. All they need to do is pass unfavorable laws.
The foreign black is way more of a problem to the black american community because:
Most companies want to hire a certain number of blacks. They dont have the time to weed out who is foreign and who is american. The dirty foreign black works hard to grab every opporunity alloted, and to harrass black americans worse than white rascist to replace us.
The asians dont ask for benefits for “WE” black people.
The asians dont typically marry us to just rip us off.
The asians have no entertainment blogs designed to try to destroy black american entertainers, and make claims that their NO TALENTS are talented.
Asians dont typically use relationships to destroy us, and steal everything we have to give to their own.
The foreign blacks and the drugs they smuggled and gave to our boys is destroying our american boys. Most of the boys have never left their hometown. They dont grow cocaine in chicago. I have heard them trying to buy up black american chicago to claim as their homeland.
Don’t scapegoat others for your own self-inflicted problems
The foreign black isn’t telling men to abandon their wives and children or to drop out of high school. Stop making the foreign black your boogeyman
Satan worshipping foreign n8ggahs are stupid enough to beg to lick the white man’s boot for any dime he throws his way. The kkk want them here because they know they are fools. Step N Fetchit was one of them. They have been doing that for a long time. They are destroying everything black america worked hard to get. They destroyed their homelands and made them uninhabitable, now they’re in america doing the same. And that is a fact.
None of them ever marry their babies mamas. Their marriage rate is way less than black americans. The few of them that make it in hollywood always buys a white person – naomi campbell, harry belafonte, sidney poitier, grace jones, etc. Their self hatred is spreading to our american community.
Thanks for writing this article. I too know a number of people who have faced similar circumstances where they were “the only one” at their work place and experienced negative treatment. People who do their best work and mind their own business also face a lack of inclusion that can wear down even the strongest person over time.
I’m tired of people telling black people we have to always be strong. We need to give ourselves permission to be human and not expect ourselves to be Superwomen and Supermen. Naby white and other non-black people would buckle under the level of ignorance and bias directed toward blacks in the workplace and elsewhere.
There needs to be serious consequences for people who deliberately bully and mistreat others (through double standards). No one should have to fight every battle by themselves. It gets old.
I really enjoyed reading your comment. Blacks have to be strong for everything. As you mentioned other races would have buckled under the stress of some of the problems we have had to face.
You are so right. So Right. That is my biggest disappointment under this black president – that he has done nothing to end institutional rascism, but instead joined with white rascist to make claims we’re unemployed because we dont have the education and skills. I almost threw up when I heard him repeat that lie. We have huge numbers of people with bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. who are unemployed and being told THEY’RE OVERLY QUALIFIED.
Correction of typo — meant to write: Many white and other non-black people would buckle under the level of ignorance and bias directed toward blacks in the workplace and elsewhere.
I worked at a local hospital in Mt Holly NJ, Medical records for 13 years, and sat back and watched some of the worse discrimanation that I ever witnessed since the 50′s and 60′s. Then, it became my turn for the vultures to attack. Luckily, I was 10 steps ahead of them and left on medical leave and have been on disability since, because the environment in that hospital and department was that physically and emotionally damaging. I did take them to OECC, and still I am waiting for them to contact me with the outcome of their investigation, since May of 2010(2 years). There is even more to this experience(s) than I can write. However, I wish, that there was a more powerful organization that i could have contacted, because the abuse and pain that myself and others that I witnessed, could be dealt with, and brought out and discussed in and out of courts and through the media.
Good strategy. In order to survive in today’s extremely hostile work environment with no help from the very govt that begs us to vote them in, and help them keep their job, american blacks have to resort to leaving jobs they love just to survive on a pittance of what they could make working.
Surviving by any means necessary is all we can do sometime. Surviving to fight another day is so important. But like you say, we shouldn’t have to go through this. We shouldn’t have to. Just like most white folks have stopped calling us the “N” word, they WILL STOP THIS JOB DISCRIMINATION if they know severe penalties is the result. ONLY YOUR GOVT CAN MAKE THE LAWS TO STOP IT.
I am in this exact position right now. A new upline has been trying to downline me since she arrived. I have been in my position for 14 years and she has been there five. I have always supported her and encouraged her in her exploits but when she became my “boss” (her words) nothing I do is right or acceptable- And yes reader we are both women of color. So sad – I don’t want to be her friend(or associate) I just want to work and do what I love- I have 120 reporting to me with no turnovers in almost five years she has 10 very miserable folks reporting to her who actually have a party when she is on vacation…..
Please KNOW that ‘ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT YOUR PEOPLE.’
The foreign black KNOWS that they are inferior to American blacks, BUT they also know that during the days of slavery intelligent blacks had to dumb down to survive, had to step-n-fetchit.
I despise these pathetic excuses for human being. She wants you out of that job. She is jealous of you (the bible says jealousy is as cruel as the grave and just as deadly).
One thing whites really dislike is blacks fighting blacks in the work place. The rascist White usually rushes in to finish both off.
There are some decent whites in high places. If she makes a move to fire you – start writing you up, trying to demote, ON PAPER, THEN U MUST MOVE QUICKLY TO find that decent person to present your record to.
Why we can’t own nothing that employes us by the tens of thousands. I as well am a victim of unfair work practices- and the stress of such a diabolical atmosphere is suicidal. As to speak of government intervention- well h**l look at the h**l Obama is catching. We have to hold our rich African Americans accountable for giving back-to where a many come from. The same way we can run around bragging about how much money this one and that one got let’s run around talking about how much this one and that one don’t do do-do worthwhile for our community- and I’m not counting the so called jobs at a theater- nor no seasonal basketball- or football team – nor baseball which offer minimum wage jobs and no insurance-last but not least can’t even support one self- nevertheless a family.
Boycott Christmas 2012
If Obama is a lame duck who cant pass a policy, there is no reason to vote him back in again. The only reason I can see, that he even wants to be in office, is that it enriched him to the tune of $10 million in net worth. BUT IF he was really presidential material, cared for his country, and black people he would just resign. White men are very reluctant to allow a black man to lead, even decent whites see what happens in africa under black rule.
Reading your story was like I was reading about my own life. I left my last position voluntarily in April 2011. It tooks months to get over what happened to me in the workplace. I was there for 4.5 years and the first and only minority person they had ever hired. Although I had a rich and successful work history, I was treated as if I was a novice employee. And when I brought new innovations to the workplace and showed I could be part of the team, then the jealousy and claws came out. I was also the only administrative staff person with a college degree. Although I never cried at work, I did cry on my way home at night and driving to work in the morning. Because I do C-level administrative support, I am usuallyly only one of a few or the one. I have not worked since I left my job 15 months ago. Now that I have exhausted my savings, it is time to return and I am not looking forward to it. I worry about a new work environment, but know if I want to make the big bucks, I will probably end up alone again. I am certainly at a crossroads.
NEVER VOLUNTARILY LEAVE. MLK died for you to have that job. At least make it HARD for them to fire you by doing the very best job you can.
stay professional
dont look for friends at work
keep your desk locked so they cant sabotage u
meditate
walk it off
have a cocktail
keep a bible right on your desk if u can
keep positive affirmations in your work space
take a break
do some deep breathing
one of the greatest stress reducers is TAPPING – google that word, and you will find a whole new world of how to cope with stress
YOU’LL BE SMILING, AND CONFUSE THE s***b.
REALLY DO IT. Go in their with your warrior clothes on, and by all means work with your docs. They have meds that will keep u so calm
My heart goes out to you DL. I understand and it’s hard for the healing process to truly take effect. I’m still healing. What I do know is that you need to loosen the grip of the hurt[I'm speaking to myself here] and let the healing take place. It’s really devastating when you’ve poured yourself and you realized that there were holes in the bucket.
Be encouraged. It’s got to get better because you’ve survived it.
DL,
I am your kindred spirit. At times, I have felt like I have had an “invisible sign” on my forehead that reads: “All Workplace Bullies Welcome!” I feel this way because I have been bullied in just about every professional position since I was (22) years of age.
The main reason I am told is because I am a “Goody Two-Shoes”, a “Pollyanna” and “too perfect and makes everyone else look bad” kind of professional. It is absolutely incredulous and INSANE that people who just want to utilize their education, experience and skills set to make a living and, often times, bring real solutions to many of life’s problems end up “strait-jacketed” as if they are in an insane asylum instead of a professional workplace where civility and common sense should reign supreme.
I once worked with a white female boss who was so insecure, envious and controlling that she refused to put forth clear goals and objectives for our department and actually said that I should be able to anticipate her needs without her having to articulate them. Now, perhaps if I had worked with her for more than a week or two, her comments may have sounded a bit less asinine!!!
Needless to say, I was miserable the entire time and for the first time in my professional life, I actually wanted to extract physical vengeance against another person because she denigrated me so much and continuously exercised a campaign to disparage my reputation as a competent professional. Prior to this position, I had received exemplary performance appraisals. I left that job without any formal performance assessment or letters of commendation or recommendation. I simply refused to ask.
Conversely, race/gender equity is not necessarily a panacea. I have worked in virtually all black and mostly female work environments and they have been h**l!!!! The drama, vindictiveness, backstabbing, envy and jealousy were stifling and overwhelming. I felt like I could never relax, work and do the job that I was paid for and wanted to do to the best of my ability. There was always this toxic environment that was like a war zone where you had to strategize and constantly take cover from some kind of real or perceived threat.
Workplace bullying is a huge problem in the United States. There is an organization called the Workplace Bullying Institute that is valiantly trying to get legislation passed in all the states to recognize and enact laws to assuage this problem. We lose millions of dollars annually because of decreased worker productivity due to stress, poor employee morale, sickness and absentiism. Even worse, many supervisors and managers are either conspirators in this sick game, nonchalant or are just ill-equipped to handle workplace bullying.
I wish you the best in your quest to find a civil and professional work environment. We all deserve that.
Take care and God Bless.
This story was like reading my own story. This has happened to me not only at my previous job where I was the only African American manager holding a masters degree and later received my PhD. I was later laid off due to corporate down sizing. Now I am at another job same situation but it’s occurring not only from whites but our own people as well. That’s the shame part about it.
Yes, you have to watch out for the low performing american blacks. White rascist will reward them for taking you down and they know it. Befriend them, but dont trust them completely. It is crucial for both of your survival to give an APPEARANCE OF SOLIDARITY AT WORK.
I’ve worked in Silicon Valley for 20+ years. I’m a Sr. Engineering Program Manager. I can count on 1 hand the number of black professionals I’ve been in meetins with the last 20+ years. I’ve worked at the world’s #1 company, Japan’s #1 computer company and a start-up that IPO’d breaking Wall Street’s record for a 1 day gain (I wasn’t able to participate, it’s a long story for another time). The problem is not with a company’s board or executive management (although we are not represented there either). The problem is with hiring manager’s that only hire people like themselves. My current company is #1 in our market segment. There is plenty of diversity, i.e. multiple Asian and European countries and a few African and Latin American contries, but Black Americans are less than .1% of the 10,000+ employees. I get along with everyone, but it get’s old always being “the only one!” At the world’s #1 company I brought it up in a staff meeting. My manager replied, “can you get me some resume’s?” I was embarassed because I didn’t know any Black engineers who met our qualifications. It’s a deep and real issue. Young brothers and sisters reading this, we MUST always be better just to get what they have. Realize when you get your degree and hit the working world it will be like your college classes (unless you go to a traditional black College), you will be IT when you get there. How you handle being IT will go a long way to determine how far you can go in the organization, but you will have to be the BEST at what you do.
I am a techie. You dont know any black techies that meet the qualifications because you live in a city where most blacks have fled. I HAVE BEEN TO SAN FRANCISCO.
There are no blacks there because other groups (especially them d**n asians/indians) only want to hire their own people. They dont care one iota about equal opportunity. EVEN WHEN THEIR OWN PEOPLE ARE UNQUALIFIED THEY hired them anyway, and they mentor them, and even do their work for them UNTIL THEY CATCH ON.
Very few people come into a tech company knowing the system. Every company has their own unique technical platform that no college can train you for. MOST PEOPLE COME INTO TECHNICAL COMPANIES WITH A BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF PROGRAMMING, TESTING, ETC., AND IF THE COMPANY IS GOOD THEY ARE MENTORED BY A SENIOR ENGINEER FOR YEARS SOMETIME.
There is no excuse for not hiring and mentoring black technical workers.
As another black in tech, I agree 100%. The level of nepotism is astounding considering tech is supposed to be primarily about skill.
To those who think HR or petitions are going to help, stop wasting your time. Your energy is better spent plotting your path to independence. Live below your means. In a nation where corporate profits is king, the game is already rigged. The illusion of fairness, EEOC, etc is part of the game. If you play, you will lose.
I feel like I want to throw up, everytime I hear someone say that indians and chinese are so technically gifted. Yes, some of them, but MANY are being helped. They aren’t doing it alone, like americans are taught to work.
The asians think nothing of breaking code, creating a problem that they know how to fix, just to appear intelligent. Not!
As a business owner (Real Estate and Farmers Insurance) I have never been happier. The hours can be long and sometimes stressful but, nothing compared to corp. America. I used to work in the medical field as a certified surgical technologist- the only BM in my position and it was not easy but, while working full time I decided to return to school full time and work towards my exit plan. I clearly remember the day I gave them my two weeks notice.
I too worked in a hostile environment but I dealt with it and by the grace of my God rose above the bull. The best advice that I ever got was to keep a journal of all the things that are morally, ethically and legally wrong note date, time and place of occurrence. The journal is to never enter the workplace. Also, anything that violated the organizations mission statement and published policy. It proved to be very useful in many ways. The fact of the matter is that you have to be strong and always have an outlet. You have to always give that proverbial 110% just accept it. Be beware of the Armstrong, Elder and , Thomas types that are in your environment. Because they will sell their souls to sit at the master’s table and please keep in mind that they come in all hues, Light bright and almost white to blue black and every thing in between. Display your political ideology in the voters booth only. It sounds like a game because it is. It sad but true!
CB you hit the nail on the head!! Correct to EVERYTHING you said!!
WOW! I agree completely. Give them 110% and dont even resent it. Be thankful you have a job to fight with LOL. Everything you said was so on point. It is so funny how anything written on paper is taken as absolute fact in a show down unless they can prove otherwise. LOL
Write it down.
This is not surprise Nomalanga. Thank God that someone is listening or even reading your blog. I have experience this treatment for all of my life and is reason I am in post grad school at nearly 55 years old to attempt to open my own business to be in control of my life. It is very obvious and the cliche’s are not always White. Some of them are looking just as you and I. ANd when you are ridicule, denounced, giggle and eye rolling all the day long by uneducated stupor of women who only want to have babies and have a baby daddy, it is time to get some education. I did and believe that not working for the past 3 years, and making abrupt changes for my future might just add additional 15 years on my life of being tortured to death, not only by whites, but mainly by Blacks. If you are in a group intend for self management and collaboration to get things done, if they want to make all the decisions and leave your decisions out, and then you should form your own group and be their competitors. You made the right decision, and it is healthy to walk away from a fight that you cannot fight alone, but be sure you show the manipulators and elaboration who control your life, and it is God and the Life you prefer to live. Getting up in the morning and going someplace that is worthwhile. All the best to you in new endeavors.
I agree with much of what you said, But I dont agree that people should live only for education and work. God put us here to be fruitful and multiply. Carrying on your race and having children is so important for a life well lived. When that career has ended and on your deathbed only family will be with you.
Personally I wouldn’t invest my retirement money in a business UNLESS it was a sure THING. Most things aren’t these days. Remember at your age, you might not have time to make it up, if you lose it. Retirement homes if you need to be in one – cost a whopping $60K plus to enter it, and over $2000/mo in monthly dues. REALLY! Be careful with spending your old age money.
“Working While Black” in white a*s corporate America!
Less than 1% of Black America has broken the so called “Glass Ceiling”
The stress us black folk incur to be treated equal on the job is overwhelming!
We must intelligently build and support our own business.
Time out for the crab mentality!
The only black that I know who is making a sincere effort is Magic Johnson. Decent White folks have put billions of dollars into the hands of BLACK AMERICANS to lead the way to black independence. But most do nothing but party with the money, and do nothing to create jobs in the black or white community at large.
If oprah really has billions why don’t she give every black american a million in reparation money. They say there are only 14 million of us. She could make us all millionaires. She did nothing to earn all that money, and she does nothing to help black chicago in a major way. She could have created jobs for black boys in Chicago, and built them school, and not even hurt her pocketbook. What is wrong with these fools?
I cannot believe the timing of this article!! I am literally sitting at work thinking how and where to start looking for a new job. I am totally going through the non-inclusion scenario and it is terrible. Not giev the job assignments I should be given, on and on…This seems like a confirmation to me!!
I have saw that done many times. You sound like an aggressive leader who wants to lead. That is good, BUT dont lose your job because of it. Keeping a job is key these days. Very Key to survival.
Ask for the work with a GOOD attitude. Write your notes, and keep getting paid. If they want to pay you to twiddle your thumbs, relax and let their white azzes work their b**t off, while you GET PAID. If they try to fire you, whip out your notes!
Itoo, am waiting for comfirmation of a new job. My current employer was once a great company. That’s what I remembered when I took the job. Boy was I wrong. I am the least paid senior manager, I have brought in the most money to the company, I have put the company on thed map in a very strategic area. I get 0 in the end. This has caused me major stress that has caused me major aliements.
I know what it is like to be underpaid and under appreciated in the work place. I am the only African American in Senior management. It is very sad that we have yet to overcome.
I say to you all. Keep on Keeping on, leave the job as soon as possible and there is a brighter day ahead and your due “Season” awaits!!!!
Dont leave the job. Been there, done that, and the SAME d**n THING AWAITED! lol Who told you, who makes what? Could it have been some white rascist pretending to be your friend/FRENEMY! She wants to get u all emotional so that you will quit. THINK! u agreed to your salary when u came there.
wE MUST REMEMBER OUR HISTORY!, IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU CAME FROM THEN HOW CAN YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH TO GO ON?…HOW MANY OF OUR PEOPLE FOUGHT, DIED AND LED MANY FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM FROM SLAVERY AND NEVER GAVE UP THE FIGHT?….Believing the myth of inclusion within this country was a “sedative” that had little affect; especially when you have a “black family” in the “white house”….(get it) white house!!!….
The fight for what is fair and just was an illusion as long as it was “white”…the media has is continues to “reveal” to those who can actually “see” what has and is happening. The only way to “get back” at Black is what many of “us” are experiencing. Collectively we have the power to affect change in so many ways, not just within the places of employment allowing this kind of psychological assault of your personhood. It is time to rise up within YOURSELF!. Document (privately) your grievances, address them to your supervisors, human resource, dirctors, whoever holds the power in those companies you work for, document their response, “show yourself” friendly to these “coworkers” and DOCUMENT all negative response, report discrepancies in salaries….in other words, do your homework on the JOB!, Keep a positive and smile on your face, “hum a tone”, etc. what ever you do, never let “them” think they control how you feel.
Our people have fought and we must take up the banner where we are!…the fight was never won, it is one we must continue….most importantly!!
PRAY!!!!…..REMEMBER, Harriet Tubman, uneducated, raise a slave, led many several thousands to freedom being led by God himself!!! We serve the SAME GOD PEOPLE…..The power is within us, with the help of God to use that power and continue the fight for change.
The thing that most blacks, who have never known whites intimately, do not know is that WHITE folks HAVE TO FIGHT EVERY DAY. The fight is really between rich and poor, and not black and whites on so many levels.
You see White folks fighting and suffering every day at their town meetings. They’re fighting for:
anti bullying
JOBS
the future of their children in this global economy fiasco. they’re worried foreigners are taking all their jobs too. that’s why they want the illegals gone, but blacks think foolishly it is all about skin color, and support the immigrants who take their jobs, just because they are the same color. STOP BEING A FOOL! the pie is not big enough. they have no right to be here at all.
Why be in these types of environments to begin with.As black folks we should be more focused on starting our own businesses and not going to these white run companies begging them to hire us and be included in their shyte.
That is noble, but the fact is that most small businesses cant compete with the Walmarts, Sears, JC Penney, etc., and more than 90% fail. We just dont have the marketing money or the resources to compete in most cases.
Even big businesses had to ask for GOVT subsidy (TARP) to survive. MOST BIG BUSINESSES GET HUGE AMOUNTS OF GOVT MONEY AND CONTRACTS.
All obama has to do is say, “we’re going to reduce your govt contracts if you dont hire and retain good black workers,” but so far your president has said that “blacks need more skills and educ. they dont deserve jobs.” LOL pathetic. We have huge amounts of degree professionals with no work.
I too have been on the receiving end of this institutionalized racism. I did as someone suggested here and sucked-it-up, became 10 times better at my jobs than any person there, designed my strategy for promotion, stayed prayed-up and still — got screwed.
What they did to me was give me that prized ‘promotion’ into the job of Diversity Administrator. Now I got to watch my black brothers and sisters get thrown under the bus of ‘corporate racism’. You see, the Diversity Administrator positions sound good on paper (every major corporation has one now); but it is a soul-destroying job. I was constantly at ‘war’ with ‘management’ though I was a member of management. Black people turned against me because I wasn’t doing ‘enough’ for Black employees. Discrimination occurred in-spite of my protests — I saw many, many Blacks get fired, demoted, ostracized — and then, it happened to me!
I secretly met off the clock with black employees to help them file EEO complaints. I watched the EEO do nothing but issue ‘right to sue’ letters and find ‘no evidence’ of discrimination – over and over again.
It has become a joke to even have federal and state EEOC offices. This is truly tax payor money gone to waste! To reduce the deficit – I’d get rid of this monstrous tax burden and find another more effective way to fight discrimination in the workplace!
Please pray for those in these positions of so-called ‘authority’ over Diversity programs. They are figure-heads in name only, usually without any authority to make change. Often, they turn up severely spiritually and mentally damaged for the abuse they suffer at the hands of corporate, racist America because they try to help those who too are being abused.
You are a hero! In the end you will be respected and a victor. Don’t let anyone stop you from doing your best to right wrongs. You will be rewarded. I talk from experience.
The current govt is fighting discrimination cases for WHITE PEOPLE! LOL LOL I kid you not. They are fighting elderly discrimination for whites, housing discrimination for WHITES, disabled discrimination for whites, on and on. Whites sing the praises of the EEOC.
I cant even appreciate the colorado incident because that number of people are being shot every weekend in chicago, and the black president they love says nothing, does nothing. But he’s flying half mast on this one, pledging every support to the families. And poor black mothers in chicago………..how they suffer with no help, no condolence, no counseling, no police protection
@CarolinaSistah…I feel your pain and you are so on point about EEOC..This is a worthless organization that prides itself on sending right to sue letters. This agency should be demolished and the employees should be sent to work in corporate white america, private sector to endure some of the pain that others had to endure. I concur with many other comments made above. I now work from my home assisting minority entrepreneurs. 28 years working in corporate white america and all for naught..nothing to show but mental scars.
Sherrie, thanks for your response. I can tell you know where I’ve been because you have been there too. I became ‘ill’ at the cruel, dishonest, and repetitive discrimination I observed and tried to thwart. It’s been 9 years since I left that h*llhole of a medical system and I still here of horrorible discrimination to this date.
I have thought often of writing a letter to Eric Holder asking him to investigate the EEOC for effectiveness and results. I feel I have to do it!
What’s really funny to me is watching the gay activists fight for their special protections under the EEOC. I can guarantee this…homosexuals will get far more protection than any black person will get from the EEOC.
oops…’still hear’ instead of ‘still here’
They exist today only to serve whites who claim discrimination. see my comment above. no blacks need apply.
Yes, I’ve been there too.
The racism is the elephant in the room. What’s troubling is that as a minority some people support you some people stereotype you. Ideally, people would be professional at work – but you see the good old boy/girl cliques. From my experience, blacks usually aren’t invited to join the cliques. This is tough especially in the business environment because office politics play apart in your tenure and your promotability.
Even Asians run into discrimination at work – there is a palpable resistance towards non-whites and non-males in the workplace. Also what I’ve experienced is black employees are treated as 1 dimensional people – they had better perform. The boss and the co-workers don’t want to REALLY get to know the black employee except for the work. From my experience, the white employees on the other hand are treated as individuals almost like family members. Hence the lunch dates, weekend getaways, and even marriages that form.
Think about sports, many times black coaches are fired after 1 year or two whereas other coaches with losing records are kept on year after year. It’s a double standard so you’ve got to work smart. Go where they will celebrate you because life is too short to be tolerated or hated by them every single day.
Smile because Jesus loves you.
Whites are concerned about preserving their gene pool. They dont hate you. When people eat together, engage socially, friendships and love are formed. And whites are paranoid because of 9/11. Many think that blacks and browns are dangerous.
And exactly where is this black celebration taking place? I have never found one. Only a fool leaves his job, because someone doesn’t like him. Stay professional with whites, keep your job and do your job. Your hungry belly will feel way worse than your hurt feelings.
Karl, many people have left jobs over these issues so get your facts straight next time. You can come up with excuses for racism – but that doesn’t make it right.
I certainly dont excuse UNFOUNDED rascism. Your FEDERAL govt has the power to help you – YOUR justice dept headed by a black man. Demand help for your vote.
Now there is such a thing as JUSTIFIED rascism based on experience, and fact. There is a place for being prejudice. Most negroes dont seem to want to accept that. The bible says to separate yourself from the unbeliever. For your own well being and safety, everyone should be prejudice. Some cultures are just built on evil and if you hang around with that culture/group, they will bring you down, and they will despise you for your Christian ways, and they will destroy you and hate you for everything that is GOOD in you. That is what is happening in black america today, when they assume that everyone black/brown is THEIR people, and that ALL of white america hates them. White people could have made us extinct years ago, like they have done some of the lower animals. They have the firepower and knowledge to do it. Try to love, get to know, and understand a white person today, and you might save our country by doing so.
How do you think that the decent white man feels when black rascist lump them into the same category as a kkk member? They’re sick of it. When they stop fighting for and with us, black americans will cease to exist.
How do you think they feel when black america says in masses, “He doesn’t have to do anything for me, for all the taxes taken out of my check. All he has to do is show up black.”
That might be the most rascist statement ever made on the planet and it came from large numbers of black lips, and the white rascist smiled, because he was proven right. What has it proven you ask???
It has proven the White mans’ biggest fear. The fear that if he doesn’t control and oppress blacks they will rise up and destroy their race and america itself.
@Karl
Ok, I see where you are coming from a little better. You have had some bad experiences with blacks in the past. So now you are cautious of the whole black community?
But if a woman who had some bad experiences with men went on to say all men are . . . you wouldn’t think that was right.
Where I’m coming from is professional blacks should be allowed to do their jobs and not have to keep fighting OTHER PEOPLE’s stereotypes and caricatures of them as people. Treat others how you want to be treated – it’s not just for black people.
You definitely dont see where I’m coming from. Is there any black or white person alive who has NOT had some bad experiences with the group they associate with the most? I am certainly not saying that all black people are bad. What I am saying is that WHITE PEOPLE JUST MIGHT NOT BE THE WORSE ENEMY OF THE AMERICAN BLACK MAN TODAY.
I am saying that the pie is only so big, and if black americans are not vigilant, the foreign black will have every slice that should have went to him. White folks surely arent going to give the foreign black his slice. You’re the one wanting him here legal or illegal.
The professional black wants to be treated better than the janitor, the maid, etc. Do you really know how dumb and low down you sound to insinuate that because the civil rights movement gave u some tuition money to get the white man’s education, that you are better than the decent black janitor who raises and loves his family and cares for them, and is a moral person?
Do you not know that the white man despises you for daring to believe that you are better just because you read a book and passed a test?
Do you not know that this decent black professional person right here, despises you in the same say?
I have saw so many educated blacks do cocaine on the job, fall asleep at meetings, never meet a deadline, sit around laughing and talking all day, and then expect to be promoted just because they graduated from some tim-buck-two college in the backwoods. The white man knows that the decent hard working black janitor is more intelligent than you, more moral than you, and more deserving than you. In other words, you ain’t sh8t but a ghetto negro still with ghetto morals. Education didn’t change your heart. Work on your heart. Your genes determined your intelligence. That’s between you and your mama and daddy. Special treatment for professional blacks!!! I hope they give u the big kick in the b**t your pompous azz deserves.
I guess this is just a monologue and not a dialogue. Try to listen to the good things others have to say, instead of just being heard.
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I think Nomalanga would be better off going back home. This is the only thing she qualified to teach.
The Kung, also spelled Xun, are a Bushman people living in the Kalahari Desert in Namibia, Botswana and in Angola.
Historically, the Kung lived in semi-permanent camps of about 10-30 people usually located around a water body. Once the water and resources around the village were depleted, the band would relocate to a more resource-rich area. They lived a hunting and gathering lifestyle with the men responsible for providing meat, making tools, and maintaining a supply of poison-tipped arrows and spears. The women provided most of the food by spending between two and three days per week foraging for roots, nuts and berries in the Kalahari Desert.
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I worked at General Motors for 24 years. I kepted a journal as mentioned by one of the post above. Back-in-the-day we had strong civil rights movements and strong unionism which the latter did not work for everybody and most of the time was at odds with black people. We were perceived as the competition and inferior to whites. Southerners also came north seeking employment bringing their jim crow laws with them, Along with the covert racism that exist in the north kepted us in the lowest positions in the work place and is still a factor today. My advice is you’re going to make the most money in you life between the ages 20 and 55, don’t buy into the american dream, two cars a big house, save your money and when you get close to the second age I mentioned because it’s going to happen at least you will be able to leave that corporate and be confortable in your senior years and you can focus on what you want to do.
People Shove it! Your civility is close to ridiculous. Be adults and raise your children to have morals and values. Stop making us white women look like the minority above your racial stereotypes.
THAT’S ALL IT IS FOR 4 MISERABLE YEARS!!!!! Romney/ Ryan 2012!!!!
I agree with Jalen’s comments and many others. I’ll add I am not African American but do have a mixed background of Filipino and German. My appearance does not “look” like either of those backgrounds so people usually think I’m “Hispanic/Latino” (that’s what I’ve been told.) I’ve had racist experiences myself from other races/backgrounds different from my own when I worked for a very popular store that sells “a bit of everything.” I (honestly) was never trying to be rude or “fake” to the women I worked with/for, and I’ve also been micromanaged/criticized when it seemed like no one else was getting the same treatment – I did a good*** to at least decent job as a sales associate and my 3 month review was good but one of my managers never liked what I did and was always “right behind me” watching unlike how she treated the other associates who were also of her same background (I know because I literally asked my other associates if they ever had issues or were criticized or micromanaged by this lady… and they all said “No” with confused expressions on their faces. I’ve had this other* manager who would constantly harrass me by telling me things like I “run my mouth” after saying hello to One Associate during a SLOW work day… when ALL of my associates have told me practically EVERY DAY that I’m “very quiet” (which I am.) – and luckily I wasn’t going crazy and found out a lot of sales associates didn’t like her either. This woman (based on what she’s told people) is Gaetemalan and (Honestly) I felt she Felt* that because we had “similar appearances,” she could get away with bullying me because I could never pull the “race card” on her for example… all she’d have to say was “Oh, well I didn’t know she was mixed Filipino. I thought she was Gautemalan like myself.” – which she did say she was. What I’m saying is… she probably felt she could harrass me simply because I had no real “amo” to use to get her in trouble so I was Clearly an easy target for her. She couldn’t harrass most* of my other associates the same way because they had a different race/background (or they “looked different” from her at any rate.)I know for a FACT she was bullying me because of my appearance because I asked my Other Associates if they experienced the same thing with her and they said “No” and looked confused when they answered me. As far as some associates and Other managers I worked with/for… I think they felt they could get away with being rude or just ignoring me simply because they felt they could get away with it because of what I looked like or even maybe due to their own backgrounds/racism… I know it sounds crazy and racist but that is how I honestly felt IMHO. I remember this one young lady constantly ignored me when I simply said hello with* a smile. She’d just look away with a frown or snarled lip and a raised eyebrow. It really p-ssed me off because I was Honestly* trying to be nice to her. I even asked a close friend/associate of hers why she was like that with me and her friend said she “didn’t know.” I’m sorry but I call bullsh-t. I think she just didn’t like me due to my look/background and no one wanted to own up to it. I’ve had many other experiences there and in other places as well. I remember my 15 minute break was up (I got one after 2 hours of work and it Literally** was 2 hours later so I needed my 15 minutes to relax.) Before I take my 15 minutes, one of my managers wanted to talk about my 3 month review so I asked CLEARLY if I could take my 15 min. break First**, he said Yes! So I take it and literally 2 minutes into my break, a middle aged, over weight woman of another “race” comes up to my table and slams her hand right in front of me on my table… a few inches from my face. She Yells at me about how the manager needs to see me. I quickly*** get up and ask the same manager I spoke to (thats the one who needed to talk to me) and asked if there was something wrong. He said calmly with a smile that there was Nothing Wrong. Am I missing something?? Why the h**l would this crazy lady slam her hand near my face like that?? I NEVER*** said anything messed up/racist/rude etc to her/about her/ her loved ones/friends/ or our associates/managers that she’d get p-ssed about and I (believed) I did everything I was suppose to do. I think ALSO that it might have been a “race” thing because I could TRULY NOT THINK of any other reason why she’d do that***. I truely do not believe she would have done that to anyone else who was “similar” to her. I just really* doubt it but it’s just my honest opinion. I’ve had a handful of crazy little experiences and well, I just wanted to vent to anyone who might have had an experience or two that was similar to mine.
SINCE YOU DONT KNOW THE RULES OF THE DISCRIMINATION,LET ME TELL YOU.SHE CAN BE THE SAME
RACE,AND IF SHE TREATED ANOTHER RACE DIFFERENT,YOU MIGHT HAVE A CASE IF YOU CAN PROVE IT.
IT DOES NOT MATTER IF SHE IS YOUR SAME RACE.IF YOU DID NOT QUIT OR WAS FIRED ,I DONT THINK ITS ANYTHING YOU COULD DO,JUST MY OPINION.
I don’t know who you are, but you just wrote the story of my earlier life in the business world. I want compensation because you infringed on my property rights. I say that in jest, however, you described my earlier life until I got tired of it. I had the same feelings you did, the same motivation and finally, I decided to go back to get my doctorate. I got similar treatment in grad school, but I was better prepared and worked my way through it. In fact, I suggest most people go to work before going to grad school.
I WANT YOU LADIES TO LISTEN TO ME VERY CAREFULLY.IMAGINE A LARGE BLACK OWN CORPORATION
THAT HAD 500 BLACKS WORKING THERE AND ONE WHITE GIRL,TELL ME WHO WANTS TO HANG OUT WITH
THE ODD BALL,I MEAN WHO IS GOING TO WARM UP TO HER.WHITES ARE NOT CONDITIONALLY TAUGHT
TO WARM UP TO BLACKS IN A WHITE ENVIROMENT,BLACKS ARE NOT CONDITIONALLY TAUGHT TO WARM
UP TO WHITES IN A BLACK ENVIROMENT ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY SEE ITS NOT NECCESSARY.SEPERATE BUT
EQUAL.ONE OF THE REASONS YOU GET HIRED IS BECAUSE YOU CAN RELATE TO THE JOB,ITS ANOTHER
THING RELATEING TO PEOPLE OF ANOTHER RACE. I THINK BLACK PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE JOBS OF AUTHORITY
WHERE THE PEOPLE UNDER YOU ARE COMPELLED TO TALK,AND NOT OSTRACIZE YOU BECAUSE THERE IS A
CONSEQUENSE BEHIND THAT OSTRACIZEING.
I relate to this article.
I worked a hostile workplace from 1979-1994.
I was expected to fail st every assignment.
I succeeded in all of them.
Got to a point where ppl would bet on my Success or failure.
Often, i was sabotaged.
They even brought n a Sister that I helped set me up.
But, SHE FELL N THE TRAP!
God has ALWAYS BEEN GOOD TO ME!