Earlier this week, I logged into the company’s Twitter account to see madness on our timeline. Apparently, a Fox News anchor and the White House spokesman made some disparaging remarks about congresswoman Maxine Waters, and a reporter by the name of April Ryan.
The end result was an online protest where Black women tweeted under the hashtag #BlackWomenAtWork. I re-posted many of the tweets via the company account, and added our own voice to the clamour. I then compiled a list of the 20 most relatable posts.
Whether you’re a White woman, Black man, or an immigrant, these are scenarios we can all relate to as fellow second-class citizens and residents around the world.
Enjoy!
1. Where’s the Guy Who Wrote the Code?
https://twitter.com/segnoria/status/846824483361079296
2. You Can’t be Manager. But You can Train Them.
#BlackWomenAtWork they had me train all the men with no experience, who signed on with higher pay than me. but never promoted me.
— morenaje (@bad_dominicana) March 28, 2017
3. Use What You’ve Got Sister!
The white man colleague who told me to "use what I've got" when another white man-a donor- hit on me in a meeting. #BlackWomenAtWork
— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) March 28, 2017
4. WoW! So Well-Spoken!
If I had a dollar for everyone who was surprised by my eloquence, I could close both the racial and gender wealth gaps. #BlackWomenatWork
— kimberly rose drew (@museummammy) March 29, 2017
5. You? Really!
When they say, "I had no idea that you were ___________" #BlackWomenAtWork
— CarolHampton (@champton) March 29, 2017
6. Hansel, Gretel & Scapegoat
Feeling as if I MUST keep a paper trail of everything I do, because someone will attempt to use me as their scapegoat. #BlackWomenAtWork
— Auntie Apothecary (@fancyfeet07) March 29, 2017
7. Where’s the Manager???
#BlackWomenAtWork Client asked to speak to a manager. I said that was me. So she asked to speak to the owner. I said that would also be ME.
— Nicole20Pearls (@PrettyGirl1170) March 28, 2017
8. Umm… Where Is Becky with the ‘Good Hair’?
Hair straightened: "You've got the job!"
Hair natural: "Could you pls wear your hair neat like it was when we hired you?" #BlackWomenAtWork
— K 😉 (@kayewinks) March 28, 2017
9. I Just Love your Work!
https://twitter.com/IluvTheFlash1/status/846835509607456769
10. So Unprofessional.
"Never wear those braids again. This looks so professional." – A college dean to me.
I went and got waist-length twists. #BlackWomenAtWork
— Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) March 28, 2017
11. Help Can’t Park Here!
Pulling into my own reserved parking space and being told by a random WW that cleaning people can't park there. #BlackWomenAtWork
— Gina Prince-Bythewood (@GPBmadeit) March 28, 2017
12. You Own the Firm??
I am not the assistant, law clerk, nor the defendant, peach. The one you think is in charge is my client. I own the firm.#blackwomenatwork
— AmeriKraut (@AmeriKraut) March 28, 2017
13. Too Sassy!
Having to be hyper aware of your words when you give feedback because you don't wanna sound angry or sassy #BlackWomenAtWork
— Frances Moffett (@FrannyMMM) March 29, 2017
14. You’re Fired!
Actually got fired for not being a "team player" bc I wouldn't hang out outside of work, or eat lunch w group. #BlackWomenAtWork
— Sophia Petrillo (@D0MXNXQUE) March 28, 2017
15. Can’t Congratulate You. Sorry. Not Sorry.
Achieved highest performance results on staff. Wasn't congratulated by boss b/c he didn't want to make others feel bad. #BlackWomenAtWork
— Tori (@ToriJoi) March 28, 2017
16. Kinky Locks – Too Naughty for Corporate
#BlackWomenAtWork *Pulls me to the side*…You are very smart & great at your job but you would get so much further if you change your hair.
— Trudy Brown (@RADIANZBEAUTY) March 29, 2017
17. Code for Safe Negress.
#BlackWomenAtWork
When you keep getting called articulate like it's code word for 'safe negress'— Rhoda Tamakloe (@RhodaTamakloe) March 28, 2017
18. Can’t Hire you with Natural Hair.
Your hair needs to be more relaxed (permed) if we hire you..not how you have it now (natural pinned up)…#BlackWomenAtWork
— Empress CoCo (@coco_goodness) March 29, 2017
19. You’re So Funny…
https://twitter.com/legend_cabello/status/846825872095154184
20. Kiss A$$ – Or Get Out
Being asked whether I "want to be here" because people find me "intimidating" if I don't smile all the time. #BlackWomenAtWork
— 💋 Paprika Patty 💋 (@KayReneeESQ) March 28, 2017
What are some of the discriminating experiences you have witnessed or suffered in the workplace? It doesn’t matter what colour, creed, or gender we are – we’ve all had them. How did you respond? And what advice do you have for others going through the same experience.
PS: After completing this list, I noticed one hell of a coincidence. Just before the madness started on Twitter, here is the social media post Alexis Chateau PR sent out for the day. The tweet was scheduled a month ago, so this is beyond funny to me. You might as well call me Miss Cleo!
Our team mates span 3 nationalities & countries, and 2 species. #Diversity is important to us. https://t.co/j8XvNrIfsJ #squadgoals
— Alexis Chateau PR (@AlexisChateauPR) March 29, 2017
It is so important to continue to support one another. That is why I challenge women who feel that the feminist movement is not needed at this time because women have equal rights to work, vote, etc. There are emotional and social concerns that are target women of color in the workplace and tries to push down our essence because we defy the standard of beauty. Popular culture wants us to look a certain way, so I make sure to wear braids, afros and whatever natural style I want to defy their prejudices and biases. Thank you Alexis for sharing these tweets.
I agree. But the point of the blog post though was that these sentiments are not just against women of colour. It’s against everyone. There are men of colour and White women who are questioned in the same way, because of gender and ethnicity. Feminism is a human rights issue. I think it’s important not to drive a divisive line, or we can never have collective support.
I agree with that as well. It is about equality for all, our differences valued as equal. I was just commenting about a reality that I saw in the posts, that black women or women of color can be a greater target due to our hair, etc. Thank you for sharing again! Great post. 💋
Yes, the hair is definitely a problem. I’m not sure if you read my “translating becky with the good hair” or “go ahead – touch it”, but those covered that extensively.
I realise though that when other ethnic groups feel comfortable enough to discuss Blackness with Black people, on equal and unbiased grounds, the results are amazing.
The bias against Black hair does need to be tackled. Like you, that’s why I chose a natural hair style, and a permanent one. I chose dreads. 🙂
No I haven’t read those but I would love to. Where can I find them?
And yes, it is something that as feminist, we need continue to discuss because the bias against natural hair exists and it effects how we are treated.
Agreed.
They’re all on this blog. I think they should all be under the race relations sub-category.
Indeed!
I taught and was a Director at an HBCU with mostly black men and white women adminstrators. They always treated me like I was totally incompetent by refusing to listening to my input, funny thing I accomplished more and stayed longer than most of them and received many awards from the students. I am so glad I am retired and happy. I prayed and read my Bible everyday while working at the “plantation”
It’s good that you made the best of the situation and excelled. I’m not religious, but if that gave you comfort, then kudos to you. 😊
Oh my… These are awful! How can this still be happening in 2017?
I was always looked down upon when I worked in stores. Not sure if it was because I am a woman or because everyone just assumed I had to be stupid for not having a better job.
Yes, they are terrible. A lot of these women work in corporate though or owned their own business, and that didn’t safeguard them at all.
I didn’t know store clerk were looked down upon.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s really 2017.
I agree on your last statement. You’d think the human race’d be more evolved than we show we are.
Apparently not. 🙁
I was once asked to wear longer, looser and less high heels by a HR director because the ‘older ladies’ were uncomfortable with how I looked and the project I was working on. Apparently, their being in rhe department 20 years and the director seeing me ‘the new, little girl’ as the only one competent for the project was an issue.
Girl if my heels didn’t get higher and my stockings darker. Kmt!
LoL! I had the same problem when I was working in corporate in Jamaica.
One time a supervisor reported me for my skirt and wanted to send me home. The manager came in and called me aside. When she saw me she started laughing.
I was like, what’s so funny?? She told me the supervisor told her I was wearing a batty rider. I gave her the ruler I brought with me and told her to measure the skirt. She said don’t bother with the foolishness. Just go back to my desk because she already knew it met company requirements.
😲😲
The hair thing gets me – “we love your hair straight” .
I also hate the racist joke thing – I have to watch my responses but a polite ( sometimes not so polite) check always sets it straight
I’ve been getting the hair remark since high school. Straight hair is always considered to be “more appropriate” and “more professional”.
I don’t think anyone has tried the racist joke with me just yet at work. It happens outside of work though. I have many approaches to that, one of which is just a blank stare, or sometimes I’ll throw a witty comeback their way.
The blank stare works for everything !
LoL! You’re probably right about that.
It really is too bad that all of these scenarios are so damn resonant!
Yes, it certainly is!
Accurate!!! It would be nice to be allowed to work without some people treating you like their science experiment.
“I can’t work you out.”
Maybe because I don’t know let’s take a wild guess…I don’t want you to. I’m at work not on the plantation, I don’t have to engage in trivial conversations because I look different. 🙃
Thank you! I think the problem is centered in the stereotypes they use to explain our differences, which are often wrong; and then the fact that they want the actual differences to disappear in the work space by conforming to their way of working and communicating. There is professional, and then there’s just ethnocentrism.
Coworker: “You look so pretty with your hair straightened!”
Me: goes back to only wearing it natural
or
Coworker who regularly comes in with oily hair: “So how often do you wash your hair?”
Me: “…once a week, it’d get dry if I washed it every day like you do.”
Wow! I can definitely relate to this. In fact, I dated a guy once who met me when I started my locs, but saw a picture of me with my hair straightened. He asked me why I didn’t keep my hair like that, because the locs were cool but that looked better.
I told him if he wants a minority-girlfriend with straight hair to find himself a Mexican or Asian and stay away from Black women.
I have gotten so many disrespectful comments that were unintentional from my white co-workers about my hair…it drives me crazy, just say you like it and shut up!
That, I don’t agree with. I pen racism on intention. If someone is trying to be nice and friendly but honestly doesn’t know what to say, I think the better route is to educate them on what’s appropriate. And even that changes per person. I really don’t care when they touch my hair, but I know a lot of people have issues with that.
I definitely have a issue with people touching my hair without asking. I was commenting on one specific post that is relatable to me. We should obviously educate others, my point was that it is bothersome, and I wished that their was more empathy or a willingness to understand from those who are unfamiliar with something, like hair texture.
Hmmm… wouldn’t wanting to touch it be curiosity and therefore a willingness to know more? They should ask first. Hair is part of a woman’s body. But I personally don’t care.
I grew up in a very diverse multiracial family, had an equally diverse group of friends, and have mostly dated outside my race.
We have always been curious about each other’s hair, and want to touch and understand it.
To me, that’s a sign of curiosity and willingness to understand and learn. I don’t think any of us really felt bothered by it, and I never took offence. I would rather they be curious and want to know, than to recoil, know nothing, and judge.
But I’m raised in a different culture than you are. A person views Blackness a little differently when raised in a Black majority, instead of a Black minority.
If someone asks, I have no problem with the curiosity, but rolling up on me and touching my hair is a no-no. Lol. I also had a very cultured childhood with friends from multiple backgrounds. It was important to me and now, for my daughter to be well-rounded and to see value in differences.
Black majority vs. Black minority ubringing does make a major difference in our outlook. Great point.