A while ago there was a Twitter hashtag named #BlackWomenAtWork. The hashtag discussed all the racist and biased comments that Black women receive from their White counterparts. I participated in the hashtag, but to be honest, I hadn’t quite experienced a lot of what was discussed. I came from a corporate environment where Black women ran the office alongside a few White women. Black women were definitely the majority.
Now I am in a new work environment where I am the minority. I was the only Black woman up until a month ago. Though I’ve acted in a way that I am for sure is deemed professional in any other work environment, I do have to keep in mind that many of the people I work with are young, White, privileged, and fragile. So, the day I entered a meeting with my boss about being aggressive and defensive, I wasn’t at all surprised. I explained to my boss that I was actually waiting on this conversation, but I wasn’t going to bring it up first. She asked me to explain.
I told her that Black women are always deemed aggressive or sassy in White work environments. It’s a racial bias. The company wants each individual to be confident within their job, yet when Black women display confidence, it’s frowned upon. When I asked if she wanted research behind my words she said it wouldn’t be necessary because she is aware.
I always find it interesting that my peers want to give me instructions that I didn’t ask for and didn’t need, as if I don’t know what I’m doing. Why am I cut off while speaking as if I don’t have anything to say? The bottom line is this: Black women that are assertive, professional, and confident are viewed as aggressive, sassy, and not team players in the work place. These perceptions are all based on racial bias and Caucasians that lack the ability to accept being told that they are wrong or being rude. They have a constant desire to feel like they are above you, smarter than you, or some how your boss. Even though it has been continuously proven that they are none of the above, they still need to feel that power.
EXAMPLES OF ENCOUNTERS WITH PEERS & RESPONSES:
- Constantly being cut off and interrupted while speaking. My response after being cut off a million times: “Could you not cut me off while speaking? It’s rude.”
- Being given instructions to perform a task the way my peer wants. My response: “I do things differently than you, but correctly. Did you want to switch tasks, or are you okay with performing the task you were assigned?”
- “Are you ok? You seem irritated.” Response: “All I did was say good morning and sat down. How did you come up with that assumption?”
It’s not easy working in a White male dominated field, yet I am up for the challenge. I will always promote equity, equality, fairness, and change. It’s important that we continue to bring these matters to the forefront, because if we don’t, our peers will continue to think their perceptions are accurate.
The best approach is to inform and educate the work group on racial biases and differences in culture. At this present moment, a program is being created to implement race and cultural education (diversity). Although it was a bit uneasy for me to address these matters initially, I have been encouraged to do so by my leadership team. As a Black woman in America you will always need to be aware of people’s preconceived notions about you, and women that look like you. I try to make it a point to disprove every stereotype that I can think of. I will never dumb myself down or tolerate being disrespected in order to comfort someone else, and I will never degrade my level of professionalism to reach the level of someone else.
To Black women everywhere in Corporate America fighting to stay a float, fighting to maintain your voice, and fighting to be respected- Just remember who you are and stay grounded in your magic and morals.
Side note Always document in a journal or in your phone dates, times, and parties involved in these types of conversations for your own protection. Unfortunately all leadership teams are not receptive and/or caring when it comes to sensitive topics such as racial bias.
Happy Monday!