BLACKS SHOULD AVOID: BEING AFRAID TO "TALK BACK"
I once worked at a company that allowed employees to take “comp time” when we worked overtime. Nearly every employee in the company was salaried, not hourly. So, we didn’t qualify to make overtime pay. However, if you accrued a day or more of what would have qualified for overtime, the company would let you take a day or two off, assuming there were no impending deadlines with your work. You had to take the time off during the same pay period, so there was a sense of urgency in trying to take advantage of this benefit.
After working out of town with two colleagues, one black and one white, we each realized that we could take a day of comp time. I’ll call the White coworker Megan and my Black coworker Devon. Anyway, the last day of the pay period was falling on a Friday, so we got to have a three day weekend.
On Monday, the three of us met to debrief about the meeting we attended. Me and Megan were still feeling good about the day off. However, Devon announced that she went to work on Friday. I asked her why she didn’t take the comp day off. Her response?
“Because Ann (not her White supervisor’s real name) won’t let me. She won’t let me use comp time.”
Before I could say a word, Megan blurted, "What do you mean she won’t let you? You say that like she owns you. She doesn’t own you. You’re supposed to get that day off.”
Devon said, “I know, but that’s how she is. She won’t let me. That’s what she said before when I asked. She says I can’t use comp time.” Just as an FYI, Ann used comp time, whenever she worked extra hours.
Megan said, “But, you’re entitled to that day. You need to tell her you’re taking it off or you need to go over her head to get permission.”
Devon insisted she didn’t want to say anything because she didn’t want to get in trouble for speaking up and she didn’t want Ann to get mad at her for speaking up. She said that she would just live without ever using comp time.
So, that’s my long-winded way to lead up to the point of this post. Do not be afraid to speak up to your White coworkers or managers. And, when I write “speak up” I’m sure there are some people who quickly imagined the stereotype of a Black person with an attitude, doing some neck-rolling, gum smacking, and speaking loudly. However, when I refer to speaking up, I’m talking about PROFESSIONALLY challenging, questioning or getting clarification regarding something you do not understand, asking for something you’ve earned, finding out how some process or benefit works, etc.
Many Blacks have been conditioned from the cradle to acquiesce to Whites! So, I know it’s hard for many of us to even conceive of a day when we can “talk back” to anyone White. We’re so used to our White employers and coworkers doing what they will with us (regarding promotions, job assignments, transfers, bonuses, etc.) that it’s become normal to remain silent.
But, silence can kill you. And, while you’re being silent, you’re being taken advantage of. Silence signals your explicit agreement. By not complaining, you’ve spoken. You’ve said that everything is okay. Is everything okay?
Nothing is ever completely okay. Things can always be better…regardless of race. And, despite consistent pressure on Blacks to remain silent (even from other Blacks who consider this behavior tantamount to “troublemaking”), you have a right to be heard! Remember that…you have a voice. TALK BACK!
See the post below for some tips.
After working out of town with two colleagues, one black and one white, we each realized that we could take a day of comp time. I’ll call the White coworker Megan and my Black coworker Devon. Anyway, the last day of the pay period was falling on a Friday, so we got to have a three day weekend.
On Monday, the three of us met to debrief about the meeting we attended. Me and Megan were still feeling good about the day off. However, Devon announced that she went to work on Friday. I asked her why she didn’t take the comp day off. Her response?
“Because Ann (not her White supervisor’s real name) won’t let me. She won’t let me use comp time.”
Before I could say a word, Megan blurted, "What do you mean she won’t let you? You say that like she owns you. She doesn’t own you. You’re supposed to get that day off.”
Devon said, “I know, but that’s how she is. She won’t let me. That’s what she said before when I asked. She says I can’t use comp time.” Just as an FYI, Ann used comp time, whenever she worked extra hours.
Megan said, “But, you’re entitled to that day. You need to tell her you’re taking it off or you need to go over her head to get permission.”
Devon insisted she didn’t want to say anything because she didn’t want to get in trouble for speaking up and she didn’t want Ann to get mad at her for speaking up. She said that she would just live without ever using comp time.
So, that’s my long-winded way to lead up to the point of this post. Do not be afraid to speak up to your White coworkers or managers. And, when I write “speak up” I’m sure there are some people who quickly imagined the stereotype of a Black person with an attitude, doing some neck-rolling, gum smacking, and speaking loudly. However, when I refer to speaking up, I’m talking about PROFESSIONALLY challenging, questioning or getting clarification regarding something you do not understand, asking for something you’ve earned, finding out how some process or benefit works, etc.
Many Blacks have been conditioned from the cradle to acquiesce to Whites! So, I know it’s hard for many of us to even conceive of a day when we can “talk back” to anyone White. We’re so used to our White employers and coworkers doing what they will with us (regarding promotions, job assignments, transfers, bonuses, etc.) that it’s become normal to remain silent.
But, silence can kill you. And, while you’re being silent, you’re being taken advantage of. Silence signals your explicit agreement. By not complaining, you’ve spoken. You’ve said that everything is okay. Is everything okay?
Nothing is ever completely okay. Things can always be better…regardless of race. And, despite consistent pressure on Blacks to remain silent (even from other Blacks who consider this behavior tantamount to “troublemaking”), you have a right to be heard! Remember that…you have a voice. TALK BACK!
See the post below for some tips.
posted by S. Mary Wills at 12:33 PM
3 Comments:
If you say something to a white person and they don't like it they can make your life miserable. it makes me really uncomfortable approaching them about something because i think they are ready to go off or say no or accuse me of something just because i'm black. it would take me a while to make that leap of being really verbal.
I don't care what color you are, you have to speak up. We have to stop acting like these White people are our parents and that we have to accept everything they say. This IS a democracy. We do have a voice. You don't have to be nasty, but you can say something to improve someone's understanding of a situation.
People definitely have to learn how to speak up for themselves, especially black people, because people will use your silence against you for their own purposes. I'd have had this supervisor called on the carpet by corporate. And if they try to make your life miserable, I'd get them for that also, because you wouldn't be trying to assert anything except the right to be treated as equal as everyone else.
Post a Comment
<< Home