Racism in the Workplace: Lyn’s Story
“I can’t do this anymore” are the words spoken by Lyn, an African American woman who has experienced racism in the workplace for over fifteen years. Don’t get it twisted, she loves the field she’s in. She has seen many changes along the way that she embraced and that helped her advance in her career. One thing that hasn’t changed is the inclusion of diversity. For over fifteen years, she has been the only African American on every team she has been a part of. She tried to stay positive but this one thing was the main artery of stress and depression for her. Lyn explained how she often felt invisible and not heard, even though she is the most educated among her team members most of the time.
Witnessing Racism
What she realized over the years is that if you are not a person of color your lack of a degree and experience, the way you style your hair, and the clothing on your back don’t matter. You can simply get a job at any level because your friend works for the company. She has watched countless people get hired by their friends in management for positions she herself had to be more than qualified for.
Lyn has been a part of the hiring panel as the only person of color. She interviewed people of color with the perfect skill set and education. Overall, they were a great fit, but the position went to an internal candidate with no experience. Their leg up was being the boss’ friend. She has seen people walk into her specific field with no education or experience, and she is tasked with teaching them to do her job. In other words, Lyn was taking the education she worked hard for (and still pays for) and the skills she learned over the years, to train someone to be her. Lyn’s story is very familiar to many people of color who work hard everyday to be seen for the skills, leadership, and talents they bring to an organization.
Accepting Racism
Madea memes, black song lyrics via email, and references to black movies are all things Lyn endured at any given time on any given day. People spoke to her using slang even though she never spoke that way. She often wanted to shout, “I SPEAK ENGLISH!” Half the time they used the slang incorrectly anyway, and she had no idea what they were trying to say. She knows that it is racist behavior because she notices that she is the only one who receives this items. She never mentioned the preceding things nor given anyone a reason to send these items. The only thing Lyn is guilty of is being black.
Who do you report racist encounters to when everyone on your level and above, including management and leadership, are all white? This is the question Lyn asked herself every time she felt disrespected or hurt by experiencing acts of racism in her workplace. Sadly the answer was no one. She had a fear of the powers that be not understanding why it was racist and siding with her. Instead, she feared she’d be fired by reporting such behavior. Over the years, she felt like she had accepted experiencing racism in the workplace. This created layers of stress that showed up in ways she wouldn’t imagine. Addiction, self-doubt, and depression all became part of her norm.
Moving Forward
Lyn sought counselling for her addiction and depression issues. Like many of us, she still has to work. Over the years, she never found a more diverse environment, unfortunately. She had to learn to adapt, but not for long. During counselling she had a breakthrough. She has always wanted to be an entrepreneur and follow her passions. Every night she worked tirelessly to follow her dreams which included obtaining a certificate in a trade. She fell in love with the idea of leaving her well established corporate career and the above average salary that had funded the life she thought she wanted.
Today, Lyn is a woman following her dreams and creating the company and environment that she wants. She intentionally hires African-American women based on their skills, desires, hunger for the business, and the simple vibe she feels while interviewing. In a few situations, she met women that had the vibe but lacked the skills. She decided to hire them anyway and mentor and teach them everything they needed to know. This time it was on her terms and for another woman that looked like her.
The Troubling News About Black Women In The Workplace
Women of Color Get Less Support at Work. Here’s How Managers Can Change That.
4 Tips for When You’re the Only Person of Color in Your Office
Do you feel like it’s time to leave your job? What’s your exit strategy?
