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Folks are real quick to get mad when people outside their race use labels, but ironically, are willing to keep a few for themselves.
“Girl stop acting Black.”
Let’s be honest, how many times have we heard someone say this? Perhaps you’re even guilty of associating Blackness with ratchet and ignorant behavior. As common as it might be, that certainly does not make it acceptable, especially in the workplace.
We really need to be careful when it comes to our general image and how we feed into it. Don’t get me wrong, one person does not and should not represent an entire group of people. Unfortunately, that can often be the case if you work in an office where you’re one of the only minorities.
I can remember times at work when my colleagues and I goofed around on our down time. We would talk about things happening on the job and in the workplace. For the most part, it was harmless banter that wouldn’t raise any red flags with human resources.
“I was so pissed it was hard for me to keep my religion let alone my composure,” said one co-worker.
“Don’t they realize I’m Black?”
At first you might brush off the comment as being playful. Lord knows it wasn’t the first time or the last I heard someone Black poke fun at their own behavior or another by referring to their race. It’s sad to say, but you almost become immune to it. I didn’t think much about it until I later realized we were in mixed company. Needless to say the same person who joked about her temper got mad when a fellow co-worker who wasn’t Black asked her not to “turn Black” on them. Yeah, that didn’t go very well… at all.
One thing we really need to remember is folks are watching and listening to us. While it doesn’t give them the right to make inappropriate comments, are you really surprised if and when they do?
Truth be told, if someone white associated race with behavior in this manner, we would be ready to call the press and ask for Al Sharpton to make an appearance. Yet, some feel it’s harmless and shouldn’t be taken so seriously. Well, which is it? Because you can’t have it both ways. We can’t have a double standard when it comes to demanding a certain level of respect, but turn a blind eye or be okay when the stereotype is self-inflicted.
Yes there are generalizations about Blacks that may or may not be relevant. Folks love to associate us as being sassy, hot-headed and ready to knock someone upside their dome if they cross us. Even if we know someone in our life who fits this description, that doesn’t mean we should label their behavior as being being “Black.” It sends the wrong message and places labels on us that can hurt our career. Whether a joke or not, there are other ways to describe someone’s actions without bringing in their race.
Unfortunately this happens too often at work and gives those with established bias to think of you as less of an equal.
Have you ever used your race to describe a person’s actions? Do you think it’s all in fun, or sets us back?
