What it’s like to be black at work

The business pundits can write forever about how important diversity is. But we are not achieving it, and the people losing out the most are black men. Associated Press writer Erin Texeira did the world a favor by writing an article that describes the black man’s experience of confronting constant racism, especially at the office.

The piece is shocking and heartbreaking. Each of us should aspire to use our own position in the workplace to change the current situation for black men. But nothing will change for black men at the office until there is broad awareness of what the problems are. So the first thing you can do is read the article.

Comments (6)

Wow. That article really summed it up. Being black in corporate America is quite the experience. I know one thing that really annoys me is when someone says, “you speak so proper.” HELLO. Both my parents were teachers and had masters’ degrees. My sister and I both have a master’s degree. It should be expected that we don’t sound ignorant. Not once in my entire life have I heard this said about a white friend. Black America is not what you see on the news or on music videos.

Posted by George on July 3, 2006 at 10:47 pm | permalink |

George, thank you for commenting. I think this issue needs people like you who are willing to share specific, personal examples from corporate life. Helps everyone — including me — understand better.

Penelope

Posted by Penelope Trunk on July 4, 2006 at 12:00 am | permalink |

The link to the article no longer works. In my personal experience it is other minorities who comment the most on the way I speak. There have been times where I felt I was being treated with suspicion my managers. Maybe it was because I look young enough to be their daughter, maybe they are just micro managers. Either way if I am treated badly I will be moving on to another position ASAP.

Posted by Lola on October 23, 2007 at 10:24 am | permalink |

I’ve only begun reading your blog for about a month now and just came across this particular post, oh I guess about a year and half later. Thanks for bringing up this taboo topic for main stream America.

Yes it’s true many black men and women sometimes have a more subservient demeanor around whites; unfortunately though, I can’t relate to displaying any of that kind of behavior.

On the other hand, I am sad to see not one response from white american readers of your blog on this post. Most of your readers usually have so much to say whether negative or positive.

Your effort to generate a dialogue despite the touchiness of the subject is very much appreciated and show how brazen you really are.

Make your haters your motivators!

Posted by Jen on November 30, 2007 at 7:20 pm | permalink |