HW April 1

After having started on the 300 words for the readings alone, it got closer to 600 words. So I conveniently combined the reflection on the reading and the reflection on the class discussion, being sure to include grading standards... 

The readings and class discussion for this week call to attention three integral points for discussion: the change in identity that many blacks feel is necessary in the workplace, building social connections as a woman in the workplace, and the perception of blacks in the workplace as not being ones worthy of authority positions due to a general closed-mindedness and subsequent involuntary racism.

 As a black person, the rush hour transition to and from one’s home self to one that is perhaps more accepted in the workplace is a ritual that is common among many black white-collar workers.  To dispute the need for such transformation, one could argue that a person should be accepted for whom he or she really is, and the person shouldn’t need this mask.  This is simply not the case, as many “black” nuances are seen as too urban.  Or casual. Or simply “black.” And unfortunately, it’s too easy to derive a negative perception of the person based on these traits.  It’s already too hard for many others to view each black person in (and outside) the workplace as individuals, not able to be fully defined by a couple of prevalent traits seen in other blacks.  So as the Harris article points out, it’s just easier for blacks to deal with the pressure of having to measure each individual word and gesture that they deliver.  It’s a tough situation that theoretically shouldn’t exist but actually does- I know from experience.  Although I’m fairly even across the board, I (and pretty much ALL of my black friends) understand that one just can’t interact the same way at work as you do at home, given your personality.  The first connection between one’s home self and one’s professional self seems to be something quite common amongst people in general: one’s first name.  So, as discussed in class, many qualifying, deserving candidates for a job don’t even get considered based on the “blackness” of his or her name.  Frankly, some names just don’t seem quite professional enough (sorry La’Quandria).

The pressure of repeatedly making a ‘first’ impression, even for those coworkers with whom a black worker has already had much contact, could stem not necessarily from the sheer inappropriateness of the comfortable at-home vernacular and tendencies of black individual, but from the closed-mindedness of the individuals trying to conveniently encapsulate the black worker. This can be viewed as involuntary racism, and can be seen, as the Dawson reading shows, through the incapacity for some blacks to rise to the ranks of authority after having paid his or her dues and exceptionally excelled in their duties over a period of time.  As shown by the University of Chicago psychological test detailed in the article discussed in class, we are all at least slightly racist, whether by virtue of a flawed mentality or by victim of a longstanding flawed societal perception.  How does this apply to me?  I’m the only one that’s definitely not a racist. 

The same plight is faced with many women in corporate America, as it’s still hard to infiltrate the social ranks in the same capacity as their male counterparts.  It’s a double edged sword, too; many other women (due to the undeniable competitive nature of women towards other unfamiliar or new women, as pointed out in the Seligson article) aren’t necessarily quickly accepting of a new, unfamiliar female face- they probably feel that they themselves have paid their dues in becoming accepted as a competent asset instead of just a girl worker.  With that said, I still tend to disagree with Seligson’s notion; I am not sure what kind of misogynist workplace she unfortunately landed in at the time, but this is not necessarily the case these days as everybody tiptoes around the office trying to avoid lawsuits and such, as pointed out by a fellow classmate Monday.  The same goes for the black-worker issue.  I’m sure every other worker is too busy and nervous trying not to say or do or even imply the wrong thing that might come off as offensive towards women and blacks.  I know I am.  It’s the same reason there is always limited participation from the majority whenever the issue of race surfaces (as seen in class Monday).  Overall, it will take continuous marginal steps over a long period of time to eradicate these mentalities that are product of early societal flaws.  There is no quick, easy solution.