I’m stealing the below content from one of my other blogs as I realize that I’m collecting so many stories about the challenges we face at work to speak up on behalf of your identity/affinity groups or from the perspective of keeping others from speaking out offensively and blindly in the workplace. It’s a killer burden to bear and I often find myself alone with my view, but I have committed myself to letting people know (politely) when they’re stepping out of their bounds in the workplace. If they’re saying something that may not even directly relate to me and is offensive, then what might they be saying about me when I leave the room?
I’m working to make this a series, but I don’t have a name for it yet. For now they’ll all be posted under my category “07_nappy in corporate america” that you see along the left side of my blog.
(from my blog ifelicious.com)
I had an awkward moment at work last night as a male began recounting a story about a former gay employee amongst a group of folks kind of in coffee chat mode. I knew it was headed nowhere fast and I started out with little comments like “I’m not participating in this conversation” and “that’s not brand”. Eventually, I told the person that I was offended on behalf of all my friends who are gay, and jokingly “threatened” to take this homophobe out in my neighborhood sometime. There was one other person in the room making eye contact with me as if we were on the same page but didn’t say anything.
How many times does this happen at work on this subject or other controversial ones?
It’s hard to take a stand, but I’m finding it more important to do so as tough as it may be at times. I would want someone to do the same on my behalf if something offensive to me came up as a woman or a woman of color or whatever.
Have you ever had a moment like that at work? If so, did you speak up?
Written from the perspective of a thirty-something African American woman, Affrodite's Adventures In Nappy Hair will make you think, laugh, cry, and take action. Check it out! Blog topics include natural hair care, African American perspectives in culture/pop culture/politics, women's empowerment, stories from Corporate America, current events, and more!
At 20 years old I could have easily been the offending story-teller but now at 37 -not so much.
Now in my slower smell the roses years with several of life’s kick in da butt lessons under my belt, I take the position that it’s more an indication of one’s insecurity than strength to make offensive conversation pieces out of sexual orientation, creed, color or religion.
However, I do appreciate a clever joke on those issues as long as there was no “real” hatred intended or a direct object to the punch-line.
~blk