Being black in the workplace

[Serenity82]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Emperah_dahJah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For those who have stawted businesses and are successful maybe you could give idea's so others can atleast get a thinking process going to be self sufficient aswell.

I believe that is the only way we'll be happy and gain respect as sojourners in this foreign land. </div></div>

foreign land? what do you mean? Jamaica isn't that far from the US. Jamaicans have always been present, blacks have always been present. What are you talking about?

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mrs. MarieK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah I know it is 1:30 a.m. but I can't sleep cuz I had my first car accident today and it shook me up quite a bit.

So I am up thinking about my life and thought I'd purge my soul here since Mr. Marie is sound asleep [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Increasingly I am finding it hard being black in the workplace. This stems from New York where with my degree I was told in no uncertain terms to empty the trash bin and water plants.

I have shown up for closings and despite my crisp suits (back when mi coulda fit inna Ann Taylor) and criss shoes, I was told, not asked to fetch water, all of which I replied to with a smile, for you see, if I should have responded, I would have only been placed not as a woman facing issues that need to be addressed, but the angry black woman syndrome.

As a foreigner, when I came here I was annoyed at my fellow blacks who complained, all through school they would complain about these very same issues and I'd say "geez, get over it already" but damn when it faces you, it really hits hard and NOW I understand.

I have been in meetings where they are figuring out stuff, I know the answer and I say it, and everyone ignores me, therefore I sit there for another 40 minutes only to hear them come to the conclusion I stated 40 minutes earlier.

Presently I am working for an investment company as I thought the legal profession was the problem, they are great but it is the same.

Case in point, I was given the command to draft a document and I very proud of my legal writing skills, so I drafted what I thought was an excellent document, well, I sat in the attorney's office (of the investment company) and watched him mark my work up, I didn't mind but what ticked me off was the actual outcome. It read as though a brainless idiot wrote the document. Important points were not addressed and theretofore and hereunder was used where it shouldn't have been and it was a mess, I changed the legend to read written by Marie K and edited by [idiot attorney name].

The person sitting beside me constantly comes into my office to tell me how smart I am, you know, like how Barak is articulate and clean, I smile because if I respond it wont be a victim of racism brand that I am getting but the angry black woman syndrome that I am facing.

I am friends with a familiar with a Jamaican radio personality who actually left his corporate america job for the same reason. Antoher brother I know left his 120K a year job at Verizon for the same reason.

In New York, I was told that if I worked overtime then I have to charge it, the problem was, I felt it was unfair to charge the overtime to teh client because during the day I was doing administrative work so I switched it around to client oriented work during the day and admin at night, I was then told I can't do that so I laid out my work schedule for the supervisor and all that amounted to was "look, we realise that the duties keep piling up but tell me are you incapable?" huh? what did I miss. I was the only one in my team bringing in an above excellent turnaround, I was the only one clients were calling but ok. I let it slide.

A few months later I was put on bedrest and the white temp who followed me got an assistant and duties taken away, yes that's right, the princess got the duties from my desk taken away.. It's not that I didn't ask, I did, so now a black woman has taken the job and she called to talk to me (I told her to call me w/ any questions, even though I'd resigned my position) she told me that the duties are piling up and w/ no training she has not a clue.

I have been told to reschedule doctor appointments, something my white coworkers have never been told to do, I have also been told that starting a family will affect my work. (you see why I had to leave NY)

Now back to the present, I was out sick last week w/ the flu, I had an accident this a.m. and was late to work and ticked off as heck cuz I loved my car, so I got there after Mr. Marie dropped me off. Right off coworker #1 said "oh your husband doesn't work" my response was "today is not the day ok" and shut my door.

Now this is the same coworker who last week told me that the part of town I was travelling to on business was really bad, ghetto fabulous indeed was the term she used, then she smiled and said, "unless u wanna be around yo brothers and sistas heeyyyyyy" complete this statement with a head roll and the hand up as we have been portrayed to act in the media.

I could go on and on about my experiences both NY and the south and truth be told it was worse in NY but here in GA I am getting tired.

I've tried disucssing this w/ my boss but he seems to think I am being overly sensitive.

I feel I have to cover my butt. If I give the attorney something to review I am met with "I don't have time, what is this you are giving me," or his favorite "where did you get this information, is it credible" and many times I've wanted to answer "no idiot I pulled the info out of my but" but I smile and say "yes it is credible, I hope so, it came from you, remember"

Today he downright told me he didn't review a contract and accused me of sending it out without him seeing it, I pulled out my backup and showed where HE marked up teh contract then he said "oh, but did you send it out" I said yes because it was over due. He said "well I didn't know you were sending it out" I said "Gee, I didn't know we were not sending out contract, I thought we did, my mistake, so what is the new policy for contracts" that shut him up.

Now don't get me wrong, I dont submit, I always stand up, I have NEVER gotten that water, or emptied the garbage, infact, I had the email requesting me to empty the garbage and I blasted teh company with an email attachign the email I received with a comment. I am NOT a pushover but I have been very diplomatic in my answers so far but I am pushing 30 and with that comes a whole new outlook, you know, the kind that makes u want to tell teh world to kiss your posterior. Yup that's the one.

Maybe I should write a book?


I knew I was leaving NY anyway and who cares but at least the admins of these other firms knew about this jerk.

sigh

Trust me I have never appreciated Jamaica more, I see my cousin and his wife kicking but in corporate JA and understand why, after the many offers of a free new house they chose to NOT live in the US

your thoughts on thsi would be appreciated. I am curious to knwo if anyone else has experienced this in corporate america </div></div>
I maus admit thatI have difficulty reading this post. Not because it is not clear,but because it hurts so much t read it. No I am not emotional, far from it,but I have difficulty watching as another person hurt themselves due to the lack of appropriate skills.
you should not have left New york. When you are faced with a problem,insurmountable as it seems. it means that ther is some lesson in it that you need for your future appointment. If you run,you will be presented with it again and again until you either face and conquor it,or you break down. which will it be??
If you think you are up to it. Send me a PM and let me show you that you are almost capable of over comming this with some introspection.
Incidentally, I havebeen there.

[RichD]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Serenity82</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Emperah_dahJah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For those who have stawted businesses and are successful maybe you could give idea's so others can atleast get a thinking process going to be self sufficient aswell.

I believe that is the only way we'll be happy and gain respect as sojourners in this foreign land. </div></div>

foreign land? what do you mean? Jamaica isn't that far from the US. Jamaicans have always been present, blacks have always been present. What are you talking about?

</div></div>

so foreigners only come from far off places?

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Being black in the workplace

How many have I counselled about this problem when they newly arrive in this country,and after having them blow me off,and describe me as over sensitive,Then They are faced with th eproblem and only now they do not havethe tool to deal with. not because they did not get the opportunity to aquire it,but because they did not think it would be a usefull skill in their future.
It happens to you and as you state it happens to many,but is one weakness that is preesent in all who faces this problem without th etool to del with it. the one thing is they all believed that they were more caoable of asessing their skill set,than those who have had experience thet they did not.
No I am not bashing you I am trying to get you to do some introspection,without which you will not be able to aquire th eskills needed to over come and achieve your potential.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Serenity82</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rundung</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mrs. MarieK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
As a foreigner, when I came here I was annoyed at my fellow blacks who complained, all through school they would complain about these very same issues and I'd say "geez, get over it already" but damn when it faces you, it really hits hard and NOW I understand.</div></div>

I like the honesty here. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] I always shake my head at my co-jamaicans who think dey are almighty pikknie and exempted. We all know demm. They walk around at work at herehither like say di things datt affect demm fellow black "american" coworkers would never affect them. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

I laff out loud (not necessarily at you Mrs. MarieK) when they feel the pinch to the point of confession, because I always think that it <span style='font-family: Arial Black'> will all come and hit demm too, given enough time in this hell they call America.</span>

Thanks not only fi yu story but also fi yu brutal honesty. I am sure given enough time, there will be more like this, <span style='font-family: Arial Black'>if shame nuh keep demm whey. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] </span>

I hope the pompous posters who frequent this site and love chat up demm mout bout <span style='font-family: Arial Black'>get ovah it </span> will take notes and start to <span style='font-family: Arial Black'>RESPECT TROPICANA, BLACKSTAR, DAHJAH and BLUGIANT </span> to name a few for all the work they have done for so many years {although they never get a thank you}, on this site in trying to raise awareness and educate the lost folks here about how alive and kicking racism is in this place.

When it drops, it drops hard, don't it. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cry.gif[/img]

But ole time people say, only a fool learn from their own mistake. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>

America is not hell, American is beautiful. It's some racists who are hellbent and evil! Blacks help build this country and moreover most west indians and africans issue is that they are from majority black areas and so can't fully relate. Even I am american born and for most of my life could not relate with black americans anger towards whites. </div></div>
This concept is over your head...

[Serenity82]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Serenity82</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rundung</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mrs. MarieK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
As a foreigner, when I came here I was annoyed at my fellow blacks who complained, all through school they would complain about these very same issues and I'd say "geez, get over it already" but damn when it faces you, it really hits hard and NOW I understand.</div></div>

I like the honesty here. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] I always shake my head at my co-jamaicans who think dey are almighty pikknie and exempted. We all know demm. They walk around at work at herehither like say di things datt affect demm fellow black "american" coworkers would never affect them. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

I laff out loud (not necessarily at you Mrs. MarieK) when they feel the pinch to the point of confession, because I always think that it <span style='font-family: Arial Black'> will all come and hit demm too, given enough time in this hell they call America.</span>

Thanks not only fi yu story but also fi yu brutal honesty. I am sure given enough time, there will be more like this, <span style='font-family: Arial Black'>if shame nuh keep demm whey. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] </span>

I hope the pompous posters who frequent this site and love chat up demm mout bout <span style='font-family: Arial Black'>get ovah it </span> will take notes and start to <span style='font-family: Arial Black'>RESPECT TROPICANA, BLACKSTAR, DAHJAH and BLUGIANT </span> to name a few for all the work they have done for so many years {although they never get a thank you}, on this site in trying to raise awareness and educate the lost folks here about how alive and kicking racism is in this place.

When it drops, it drops hard, don't it. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cry.gif[/img]

But ole time people say, only a fool learn from their own mistake. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>

America is not hell, American is beautiful. It's some racists who are hellbent and evil! Blacks help build this country and moreover most west indians and africans issue is that they are from majority black areas and so can't fully relate. Even I am american born and for most of my life could not relate with black americans anger towards whites. </div></div>
This concept is over your head... </div></div>

Didn't you say you were white?

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Serenity82</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Serenity82</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rundung</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mrs. MarieK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
As a foreigner, when I came here I was annoyed at my fellow blacks who complained, all through school they would complain about these very same issues and I'd say "geez, get over it already" but damn when it faces you, it really hits hard and NOW I understand.</div></div>

I like the honesty here. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] I always shake my head at my co-jamaicans who think dey are almighty pikknie and exempted. We all know demm. They walk around at work at herehither like say di things datt affect demm fellow black "american" coworkers would never affect them. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

I laff out loud (not necessarily at you Mrs. MarieK) when they feel the pinch to the point of confession, because I always think that it <span style='font-family: Arial Black'> will all come and hit demm too, given enough time in this hell they call America.</span>

Thanks not only fi yu story but also fi yu brutal honesty. I am sure given enough time, there will be more like this, <span style='font-family: Arial Black'>if shame nuh keep demm whey. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] </span>

I hope the pompous posters who frequent this site and love chat up demm mout bout <span style='font-family: Arial Black'>get ovah it </span> will take notes and start to <span style='font-family: Arial Black'>RESPECT TROPICANA, BLACKSTAR, DAHJAH and BLUGIANT </span> to name a few for all the work they have done for so many years {although they never get a thank you}, on this site in trying to raise awareness and educate the lost folks here about how alive and kicking racism is in this place.

When it drops, it drops hard, don't it. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cry.gif[/img]

But ole time people say, only a fool learn from their own mistake. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>

America is not hell, American is beautiful. It's some racists who are hellbent and evil! Blacks help build this country and moreover most west indians and africans issue is that they are from majority black areas and so can't fully relate. Even I am american born and for most of my life could not relate with black americans anger towards whites. </div></div>
This concept is over your head... </div></div>

Didn't you say you were white? </div></div>
Did I??

[Blackstar*]

Re: Being black in the workplace

Don't feed the troll.

[dahjah]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RichD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

so foreigners only come from far off places? </div></div>

as long as yuh nuh indigeonous tuh ya suh yuh a foreignah.

[dahjah]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Serenity82</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

foreign land? what do you mean? Jamaica isn't that far from the US. Jamaicans have always been present, blacks have always been present. What are you talking about?

</div></div>

Blacks passed through here, they didn't stay, UNTIL de fuss ship arrived which was named Jesus. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

Jamaicans couldn't always be here, not the ppl you call Jamaicans today. Cause they are not the original Xamaicans, dem waan gwaan like dem jamaican cah das all moas a dem kno, choo brainwashing dem raddah dashweh dem bloodline link to africa. If the original Xamaicans were alive a wundah how dem wouldan feel fi see these ppl brought here a tek dem name [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

[Serenity82]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Emperah_dahJah</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Serenity82</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

foreign land? what do you mean? Jamaica isn't that far from the US. Jamaicans have always been present, blacks have always been present. What are you talking about?

</div></div>

Blacks passed through here, they didn't stay, UNTIL de fuss ship arrived which was named Jesus. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70402-thinking.gif[/img]

Jamaicans couldn't always be here, not the ppl you call Jamaicans today. Cause they are not the original Xamaicans, dem waan gwaan like dem jamaican cah das all moas a dem kno, choo brainwashing dem raddah dashweh dem bloodline link to africa. If the original Xamaicans were alive a wundah how dem wouldan feel fi see these ppl brought here a tek dem name [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70402-thinking.gif[/img] </div></div>

Are you going to ignore the fact that the african population has made jamaica what it is today, slaved on the land with blood and tears and are authentic Jamaicans?

[dahjah]

Re: Being black in the workplace

Where do you see that I ignored them?

All mi a seh is WE are not the original Jamaicans.

[MarieK]

Re: Being black in the workplace

Dr. D That PM is on its way, but this was only part of the reason I left New York. I grew tired and truth be told, I needed a better quality of life. I am being brutally honest here, I wanted the life I lived in JA, a house not close to the neighbors, some land and peace and quiet, I tried finding that in NY but I am a long way away from buying a house for in excess of 800K which is what it cost.

Georgia has always been my dream, I never wanted to go to NY, my parents did. Plus, I want to start a family and I have more support here. we will talk more roun a back.

[MarieK]

Re: Being black in the workplace

none of us are the original of everything, we are transplanted from a different culture

[Serenity82]

Re: Being black in the workplace

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mrs. MarieK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dr. D That PM is on its way, but this was only part of the reason I left New York. I grew tired and truth be told, I needed a better quality of life. I am being brutally honest here, I wanted the life I lived in JA, a house not close to the neighbors, some land and peace and quiet, I tried finding that in NY but I am a long way away from buying a house for in excess of 800K which is what it cost.

Georgia has always been my dream, I never wanted to go to NY, my parents did. Plus, I want to start a family and I have more support here. we will talk more roun a back. </div></div>

Don't sweat it.I left NY 4 years ago and it was one of the best decisions in my life. Oddly enough, 16 years ago moving TO NY was one of the best decisions I made.