Cleaning More Clutter
Just a few thoughts:
So CNN this week is airing the series Black in America. (Yawn.) Bully for them. It’s real easy to interview the historical victims. I wish for once a TV network would do a series asking the hard questions of the people still alive who contributed to making Black in America a living hell for 300-plus years. “So, Mr. Klansman, how would YOU have felt if someone routinely used violence against YOU to keep YOU from participating in mainstream society based solely on YOUR physical appearance?” That I would watch.
Is it just me or do I find at times that I’m spending the currency of low expectations? Bear with me for a second. I recall years ago, back in my newspaper days, the relief a white female editor exhibited when I told her I knew how to look for police search warrants. “Oh great, you know how to do that,” she said. I thought for a second that she didn’t expect me to know this stuff, despite the fact that I had been reporting for several years. I mean, the fact that a black man has this skill is a huge deal, whereas for a white person it may not be. There are days today I still feel that. Do you get insulted or do you simply play off that low-expectation aura to your advantage?
Other bloggers have discussed how much race, along with physical appearance, can help or hurt careers, e.g., how attractive fair skinned black females will get in the door faster than most. Now, as a middle-aged, shaven-headed, black male with a graying mustache who is a shade lighter than Wesley Snipes, what do I offer other than my experience? Why did this white female I now report to decide to hire me over someone younger and (presumably) cheaper? What do black males my age exude? Is it that I’m married and stable? Am I better interviewing with white females than any other group when it comes to getting the gig? One of my recent interviews involved me and a white woman having a conversation. I was as relaxed as could be. Then the white guy walks in and my comfort level disappeared. He then peppered me with questions. I answered them to the best of my ability, but I think any hope I had of getting an offer disappeared after he showed up. Just wondering, you guys.
Peace.
I don’t follow talking heads folk, jones here wasn’t raised like that. I don’t follow folk, I lead. all I got to say is "work hard and don’t complain"
I followed the link to your post. Very good. I’m not at all complaining. Just asking questions in the form of a brain dump.
Comment by rawdawgbuffalo — July 24, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
interesting post, that whole ‘a shade lighter than Wesley Snipes’ got me cracking…
seems like u have charms, and white woman simply feel comfortable and trust you, that their white counterparts, judging from that interview.
you getting a gig over other younger people, u probably are good at your stuff…
and i have heard that whole black attractive woman can easily get ahead. i say not all, that shyt just doesn’t happen to me, i ruffle a few feathers, and i just do kiss arse, so i don’t know how true that is.
Thanks, Shazza. Here’s the thing: For most of my life, I was constantly running so scared at my workplaces that I paralyzed myself and ended up at times shooting myself in the foot. The only time I ever truly felt at the top of my game was back in 1989-1992, when I wrote a well-read column for a daily newspaper in the western U.S. Today, I finally feel my confidence returning. It doesn’t hurt also that being in the U.S. Capital area provides a lot more opportunities than my home in the New Jersey-Philadelphia area, about 258 kilometers north of the DC area. (You like how I converted that distance into km for you? LOL!)
As far as being a black woman, I think if you’re gonna ruffle a few feathers make sure the fight is really really worth it. I think it all also comes down to personal relationships within the larger organization. It’s not always a meritocracy. If someone who counts likes you, you’re gonna have it made no matter what your race or gender.
Comment by Shazza — July 25, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
*still trying to figure out what CNN was trying to accomplish w/ this documentary*
I think they were trying to tell personal stories. That kind of stuff bores me, to be honest. It’s like “why aren’t there many black actress starring in Hollywood movies?” So the news crews shove mikes into the faces of folk like Angela Bassett and Theresa Randle (whatever happened to her, BTW”?). No, go to the damn studio heads and ask THEM why they’re not casting black actresses!! And if they don’t comment, call them out and say so!
Comment by K. — July 25, 2008 @ 2:08 pm
oh tha wa meant to reD ‘ I DON’T KISS ARSE’ , it does give different meaning
OK, now we’re clear on that!! I love how you guys spell “ass” as “arse.” I also love the Brit accent.
Comment by Shazza — July 26, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Lol thanx for the conversion, though being in England where they use mileage, i am having to get the hang of the whole thing, i thinks 1.6km to 1mile
yeah, i know about ruffling a few feathers, i don’t usually go out of my way to find something to fight over, i just don’t tolerate disrespectful peeps period. and i generally stand my ground, it has worked well for me, in the sense that people respect me for that, and those who like arse kissers ,just keep it moving until they find the right candidate…
and I know about loosing one’s confidence, for 2 years, I didn’t know who I was, I started believing I am not as smart as I seem to think, but had more to do with the environment that my own doing, and in the last few months, I am feeling a bit more me, and I challenge myself even more, prepared to take up certain roles I would have previously felt inadequate for..
I try not to be an arse-kisser, but I also know when to stand and fight. Only once can I think of that I was ready to go to the mat over a work-related matter and that was nearly 20 years ago. I’ve had people call me a bulldog while others said I was a soft “pansy-ass.” I know that I try to be nice, but I try to let folks know that you’re not gonna run over me.
Comment by Shazza — July 26, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
I’m responding more to the comments than to the post. Or maybe both. It sounds to me that we have similarly unassuming personalities that lead people to feel a sense of comfort that may or may not be warranted but tends to work in our favor.
You say you try to be nice, and kindness has a way of throwing off most people.
Hello, A, it was never in my nature to be nasty to people. As I advanced into my 40s, I developed serious resentments over a perception that rude folks get ahead and nicer people get left behind. But as a black man, this passive agressive personality I have has become a survival mechanism.
Comment by A — July 28, 2008 @ 2:58 pm