To Be a Young Black Man Working in an Office Full of White People

https://hackernoon.com/to-be-a-young-black-man-working-in-an-office-full-of-white-people-fcf137d152c8

by jessaustin • 10 years ago

29 27 10 years ago

et2o4• 10 years ago

He wrote a rap song as part of his job intended for "Youth Across America." He was asked once if he would perform the song at a company dinner and he declined. His decline was accepted without question and was not brought up again.

I can certainly understand why the request could be interpreted as racist, but from my perspective that seems to be a bit of a strong interpretation to take.

krath942• 10 years ago

Exactly my first thought, it's because he wrote it, why would they ask someone who didn't write it to perform it?

et-al3• 10 years ago

When I approached Anna to let her know that I did not feel comfortable rapping for a board member, she said “no problem” so quickly that it felt as if she knew she shouldn’t have made such a request.

That interaction might have something important the author experienced that we, as readers, can't visualise.

Also, a big part of this is that many times minorities don't want to reinforce a stereotype. There's a fine line to tread between one-off self-expression and the worry that the majority think that this is what you do all the time, or a label. I can see why the author doesn't want to be seen as "Derrius, the guy who raps."

levelist_com4• 10 years ago

I'm not sure why It could be interpreted as racist? It's not like the person assumed b/c the man is black that he could rap. The man admittedly already wrote the rap for a known project and was asked to or assumed he would be ok to perform it for another venue. The man declined stating he wasnt comfortable doing so and ended with no further incident. Rude possibly. Racist? Not even close!

et2o4• 10 years ago

I said "interpreted as racist."

slowandlow• 10 years ago

It's not really racism but as a black person it comes off a little insensitive. For a long we've been usually asked to perform as opposed to contribute in a more meaningful way for example.

I would find it strange if I was asked to perform for a board meeting hardly seems like the appropriate place for that. I would also take a bit of offense because it sends the message that all I'm good for is performing. Being the ONLY black guy heightens the stereotype that we're only good enough to entertain.

It's not something white people think about so it may be hard to realize what you're asking and how it may be interpreted.

I'm not advocating for social justice just voicing the black point of view. Also, the rest of the article is a bit shaky.

One more thing, sitting at a job and waiting to get fired for severance is terrible. It's embarrassing and dishonest. Your reputation is also at stake here. If you think no one knows what you're up to, you're very mistaken. BLACK people especially should not do this.

et2o4• 10 years ago

I appreciate you sharing your perspective and experience.

diggernet• 10 years ago

I understand your point about being asked to perform. (The railroad scene of Blazing Saddles comes to mind here.)

But he was asked to perform a rap HE wrote. Because he was the author, not because he was black. While obviously blacks should not be considered only good for entertainment, does that really mean society needs to avoid offering recognition of an individual's demonstrated creative abilities just because they happen to be black?

Also, as another commenter already documented, he was far from the only black in the office.

All that said, your final point is spot on! And not only for blacks...

krath942• 10 years ago

I don't understand why it's offensive to ask someone to recite a rap that he/she wrote? If someone else wrote it, would they not ask the other person to do the same?

wpBenny6• 10 years ago

ehhhhhh seems a bit of a stretch. If you're looking for something, you'll see what you want even if it wasn't happening. The rule of 23.

png_hero• 10 years ago

why was he fired?

wpBenny6• 10 years ago

Pretty convenient to not include that part...

levelist_com4• 10 years ago

From experience, I'm going to guess, it was the glaringly obvious chip on his shoulder after believing that he was passed over for a job, he felt he was more qualified for, b/c he is black.

wpBenny6• 10 years ago

He also didn't mention the black women, asian women and men, latinos that work there. Just the white people. https://www.dosomething.org/us/about/our-team

zepolen• 10 years ago

Garbage article, this isn't racism, this is a guy seeking attention.

steveeq1• 10 years ago

Yeah, i agree. Why can't I downvote this article? HN only allows upvotes for articles?

mos_basik• 10 years ago

HN only allows upvotes for articles?

Correct.

legohead• 10 years ago

I'm a bit confused. I didn't read anything that was blatantly racist against him in the article.

His original boss hired for his position looking for someone that wouldn't challenge her -- this happens to everyone, and is very common. Is he saying that they thought he would suck because he was black? That's pushing it, knowing nothing of the interview process.

He was asked to rap, but that is a skill he had and apparently people knew about.

"To Be A Young Black Man Working In An Office Full of White People" -- ends up writing about everyday white man working experiences.

wpBenny6• 10 years ago

He wasn't so upset about it in January https://twitter.com/drquarles/status/692809125294706688

jazzyk• 10 years ago

Sorry, but this article is racist. Starting with the fact that the author capitalizes "Black", but uses lower case "white".

It is full of sweeping generalizations ("consistent overlooking of the institutional racism and systemic biases that exist in own cubicle-laden offices") and offers no concrete examples of what happened.

The author founded Breaux and Company – "a social justice business incubator", "Coded By Black Men" (https://www.breauxcapital.com/)

I see another Al Sharpton in the making.

To Be a Young Black Man Working in an Office Full of White People

Related Stories