Times It Sucks To Be The Only Black Person At Work - Page 10

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Sometimes, depending on your field and where you work (or the gentrification status of your neighborhood), you find yourself being one of the only black people at your place of employment. And while you try to roll with the punches, it can get uncomfortable. Especially if you end up being a guinea pig of sorts for all the White people you work with who don’t usually fraternize with Black folks.

Most of your co-workers mean well. They’ve just always wanted to touch a Black person’s hair, haven’t figured out what types of statements are racist, or just really don’t know what to do around a co-worker of another race or background. In the end, it’s mostly all good–except for these awkward moments that every person who’s ever been one of the only black people at their job is sure to identify with.

Did we miss any of your least-favorite moments? Let us know in the comment section!

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“Is This Racist?”

If you have to ask, it almost always is.

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“Do You Know Who You Look Like?”

Let me guess: Any famous Black person of the same sex?

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Being “Randomly Selected” To Work With Minority Clients

Why am I on this project again?

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When Your Friend Shows Up To Work

And, of course, someone asks if you’re related.

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Touchy-Feely Co-Workers

Specifically, the ones who are always dying to reach out and touch your hair.

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When Your Presence Make The Conversation Awkward

“And then this Bla–” *Glances at you*

“I mean, African-American girl…”

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Or When They Don’t Pay You Any Mind

Really?!

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When You Change Your Hairstyle

And there are a zillion questions: Does your hair grow overnight? Was it always curly? What happened to your short haircut?

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When You Have To Teach Racism 101

And then everyone mumbles under their breath that you’re too sensitive.

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When You Have To Censor Yourself

Because you don’t want to be seen as too [fill in the stereotype here].

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That One Co-Worker Who Probably Means Well

Don’t call me “homegirl,” and no, I don’t want to “raise the roof.”

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“So What Are You Doing for Kwanzaa?”

How do you say “Not a damn thing” nicely?

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Being Relevant For All the Black News

Is something racist happening in the news? Just know that your co-workers will be sure to process their feelings with you, dear Black Co-worker.