How to Cope with Being the Only Black Person at Work

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  • čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
  • Only Black Person at work

Komentáře • 97

  • @gregorriusadolphus2729
    @gregorriusadolphus2729 Před 6 měsíci +48

    ALLLLL of this! I just left a six-figure job (with no backup job)because of all of THAT...doing all that you stated. I hung on for 4 years and couldn't take it anymore. I'm 46 and I've ridden this rodeo too many times in my working life. I am TIRED of it. I am officially burnt out. I worked in tech in the last 6 years, and I tell you, I experienced MORE racism at these "progressive tech companies" that trumpet DEI than I EVER did while working in old skool banking (which is a good ol' boy network). I also was promoted each year at the bank and was the only black in my spaces...and was treated with respect. Not so much in tech....make it make sense! I will say that my white European coworkers were the best; they also noticed how the Americans treated me......a black AMERICAN.

    • @kozmickitsuneame
      @kozmickitsuneame Před 2 měsíci +4

      Try to do what you can to retire as early as possible because nothing is worth the amount of stress that accompany some of this stuff. I understand that there are some people that love their job but the workplace shenanigans have gotten out of control. I would honestly take Scotland or even Norway over California or new york. People have had to move their businesses out of those places because of the borderline schizophrenic attitudes of people in the workplace. It doesn't matter how skilled you are, how professional you are, or even how naturally quite polite you are. I have had people get in my face, falsely accuse me without any actual proof while they're doing the very thing that they're accusing everybody else doing. I used to be a lot friendlier in my twenties but over the years I've kind of had to become very cold and calculating especially when it comes to my money because people like to mess with that too whenever possible.

  • @AuthorJanaeMarie
    @AuthorJanaeMarie Před 6 měsíci +41

    Basically having to”code switch” at work.

  • @eva09771
    @eva09771 Před 2 měsíci +21

    It's a game to them..they play in our face and dare us to say something. When we do sadly things get worse. It's sick mind games.

  • @daydreamerz
    @daydreamerz Před 3 měsíci +32

    Exhausting. It is unimaginably lonely and exhausting to be a black STEM professional. Every weekend my white colleagues do the absolute most, out on the town, while I'm recuperating at home so I can make it through another week. I like my work, but I wish to God there were more Black people to balance the racial environment.

    • @augustusbrown5320
      @augustusbrown5320 Před měsícem

    • @nellatl
      @nellatl Před měsícem +4

      Im in tech too. You are absolutely right. We weekend are spent recovering and emotionally repairing for the next week. I document everything now.

  • @steeltown2946
    @steeltown2946 Před 2 měsíci +12

    Another red flag is when they secretly gossip about you. You will know, because when you enter the room. They stop talking OR flat-out leave the room. When you get hired at these types of jobs, just GET OUT. Don't stay because of the money. It isn't worth going to work everyday feeling worthless.

  • @AuthorJanaeMarie
    @AuthorJanaeMarie Před 6 měsíci +35

    I completely agree. It’s a lot of going along to get along. But at times I do wonder if I’m being sabotaged at work. Just today my system wasn’t functioning properly and I was like wow! I’ve never had this happen before. If I didn’t pay attention I could have made some mistakes.

  • @Kayla_chosen1
    @Kayla_chosen1 Před měsícem +8

    Working as an intern for one of the largest banks I’ve definitely experienced this.. this was a huge shocker. The only plus side is being able to deal with the passive aggressiveness outside of the work field due to me being adjusted to it. One day the racism stops and then when they realize you’re black it starts up again. Why can’t they just accept I am a black woman, there’s million of us!! I just want to make my
    Money and go home !

  • @Arissa4ever
    @Arissa4ever Před 6 měsíci +20

    Thank you for articulating my feelings about working in corporate America as a black person. I’m been blessed to work remotely since 2020, however my company decided to move to a hybrid schedule in March.
    And how convenient for them, that the job market is complete shit right now and fully remote work is hard to come by in 2024. So now I get to deal with all the passive and not so passive aggressive bullshit in person, since I can’t just up and quit.
    However, I am glad people like yourself are speaking out about our experiences, because it is so unhealthy to keep our feelings inside. I pray for the mental health of my black brothers and sisters cause navigating this shit is not easy🖤

  • @AuthorJanaeMarie
    @AuthorJanaeMarie Před 6 měsíci +41

    Let’s discuss the black professional who committed suicide because she was a young black woman who was being bullied by her white boss. She was like a HBCU Administrator. Antionette Candia-Bailey

    • @l-majesty3287
      @l-majesty3287  Před 6 měsíci +8

      Janae I read that account. It was yet another example of black professionals having to fight for their lives within predominantly white work spaces. I can only imagine how hard it was for Antoinette to not be believed and have her observations undermined only for her employer to take leave with pay as a remedial action. Equity is impossible where diversity is sparse.

    • @timekaschannel
      @timekaschannel Před 5 měsíci +3

      I heard about that. I don’t believe she committed suicide, but was murdered.

    • @Elaina944
      @Elaina944 Před 5 měsíci +1

      @@timekaschannelShe committed suicide. She wrote a long letter so, STOP IT !

    • @AuthorJanaeMarie
      @AuthorJanaeMarie Před 5 měsíci +4

      @@l-majesty3287That’s a whole word! Ugh I get so tired of having to feel like the “other.” Like I can’t be myself. My heart goes out to the lady and her family.

    • @janesamuels7714
      @janesamuels7714 Před měsícem

      😢😢😢😢😢

  • @ChrisGrand7
    @ChrisGrand7 Před 3 měsíci +13

    Love your transparency. I thought my education as a physician would alleviate some of the racial bias I experienced but no. They couldn’t care less about a brother’s money, education, or knowledge. Newly subscribed.

  • @lockhart8858
    @lockhart8858 Před měsícem +7

    This is why I work part time only & haven’t taken a full time position- I realized that I can only deal with their toxicity part time 😊

    • @kjhaygood
      @kjhaygood Před 21 dnem +1

      I love this comment. “I can only deal with you part time” is my new saying 😂

  • @fairxfire
    @fairxfire Před měsícem +5

    The double checking what you say really used to get me but now it’s just a inside joke 😂

  • @SxCense
    @SxCense Před měsícem +4

    Our thoughts will always be verified. THIS!!!

  • @theyayachacha
    @theyayachacha Před měsícem +5

    Thank you, man! I speak good English despite the fact that I am an immigrant with an accent. I had the top grade in both English Composition 1 and 2 classes in a predominantly white College. I have always questioned the fact that when I speak, they pretend that they don’t understand me while I am very clear. I used to even record myself so I could check this out. This has happened too many times, even in different cities. This made me feel bad about myself so many times, and I always thought I could not make it. If they do this to you, how much more to a darker folk like myself. You just made me whole, man. You just cured me from something I have been suffering from for years, though minor psychological pain. I was suspicious about this. You made my suspicion a reality. I will build a plan to face this condition when it happens again.

  • @thecongo8505
    @thecongo8505 Před 2 měsíci +5

    Thank you so much L-Majesty.
    I just want to say that though racism can be very hard to prove, but retaliation is very easy to prove.
    Keep up with the good work

  • @fairxfire
    @fairxfire Před měsícem +6

    It’s either you’re the only one or there’s one other PoC that won’t have your back 🥴

  • @Will-pn5uz
    @Will-pn5uz Před 2 měsíci +4

    I am a late-career (58 yo) aerospace engineer and I have a lot of technical expertise gained from early career opportunities that my colleagues, who are a lot younger, don't have. I am, of course, the only black. Because of this, I am constantly under attack by the various ways that you spoke of. This video touched on some good points and gave some advice that I wish I had used long ago. I telework twice a week and whenever I have a virtual training. This is what is keeping me sane right now. When I go to work, it is like playing chess blindfolded against a team of 25 people for 8 hours, and I typically come home drained. When I have a novel idea, I have to balance putting it out and getting credit versus all the hate I am going to receive for doing so. Great channel. Please continue posting great videos.

  • @NostalgiaVibes420
    @NostalgiaVibes420 Před 4 měsíci +9

    Thank you so much for continuing to speak about this. Everything said here is absolutely true. It's even worse working in the tech industry as each day, I have to deal with this. It's frustrating when you can't just quit!

    • @maxbell9723
      @maxbell9723 Před měsícem

      I’m a CS graduate student. What’s some of the things that they do in tech in particular? Should I even try to work at a big tech company.

  • @Still-Learning
    @Still-Learning Před 4 měsíci +8

    "If you do not understand racism/white supremacy, what it is and how it works, everything else you understand will only confuse you." -NFJr.

  • @happybedzo6166
    @happybedzo6166 Před 5 měsíci +10

    It is a battle field indeed 😢

  • @kjhaygood
    @kjhaygood Před 21 dnem +2

    I’m currently going through some mental struggles and had to analyze and dismiss the negative environments and people so that I can focus on getting better. I feel raw, exposed and hyper aware like a sore. That’s just a part of my healing. I currently have a seasonal job which use to be fun. Now with my mental health being the way that it is I have no energy left for the micro aggression that goes on there. It’s a predominantly white environment and they are use to saying or doing anything they want. Some of these things are racially insensitive and this is adding to a stress I didn’t even have before working there. They are sweet people but too relaxed & treat me in a way that makes me feel as if it continues this way it could get dangerous for me all while they are “just joking”. This will be my last year there. There is no HR to report to. It’s a family owned business. I wish them the day they deserve.

  • @steeltown2946
    @steeltown2946 Před 2 měsíci +3

    When they know you won't quit. They try to get you to by stressing you out.

  • @CodeWhispererX
    @CodeWhispererX Před 23 dny

    Appreciate the words, especially the crazy statement, as your in the space for sometime you start to question yourself.

  • @kendallnelson9179
    @kendallnelson9179 Před 6 měsíci +15

    Have you ever had to navigate black people who support the system or invalidate your perception of a racist environment ?

    • @l-majesty3287
      @l-majesty3287  Před 6 měsíci +15

      Kendall yes I have. I have been in spaces where black people have drank the kool aid and normalized the bigotry for the sake of professional survival. I've had to realize that for one, a feature of white supremacy is the tendency for some black people to live in states of denial. This is a trauma response that emerged from years of racial gaslighting causing some black and brown people to deny their own experiences in order to assuage white guilt. It's the mammy syndrome. Additionally I've had to realize that not all skin folk are kin folk. Many black people struggle with internalized bias and racism due to overexposure to white supremacy. These individuals lack awareness into the history of their own people as well as the covert strategies historically used to pit each other against one another. It is not my job to educate them but rather continue to validate my own observations and take steps to launch. I hope this was helpful for you. Much love.

    • @kendallnelson9179
      @kendallnelson9179 Před 6 měsíci +2

      I just found your channel today and am overly grateful! I’m a Black American living in Europe. I’m totally on the same page but just to see a brother break this down so succinctly is so validating !!!
      Please make a video about them too lol!
      Have a great day brother am glad to have found your channel and will share your content where I can. 💯

    • @l-majesty3287
      @l-majesty3287  Před 5 měsíci +5

      Kendall thank you for the support and kind words. I hope you have an amazing and faith strengthening 2024. ❤️

    • @chal3t
      @chal3t Před měsícem +2

      Not all black ppl are black.

  • @ClayMastah344
    @ClayMastah344 Před 2 měsíci +6

    That’s why I only do hybrid or remote work. I taught myself a useful skill to gain that kind of work so I could lessen the impacts of these kinds of workplaces on myself. Harder for them to antagonize through a screen though you can bet they try

    • @thecongo8505
      @thecongo8505 Před 2 měsíci +2

      Which skill is that you learned if you don't mind me asking

    • @ClayMastah344
      @ClayMastah344 Před měsícem

      @@thecongo8505hi I learned web development and analytics as well as project management. Biggest skill that’s helpful is one hard skill and project management

  • @nellatl
    @nellatl Před měsícem +1

    This dude is spot on

  • @terrancecarr3823
    @terrancecarr3823 Před 5 měsíci +2

    Hi hru..doing on today? I hope all is going well with u on today. I am new to your channel and i saw two of your videos already. And i must say that i am truly enjoying them, and i just finished watching this video. And u are 100 % accurate and correct. On everything that u are saying. About working in and all white environment as being a black man or black women. Keep bringing us these great and positive videos. Well take care and may God continue blessing u and your contents amen..hallelujah

  • @johnnybraxton5539
    @johnnybraxton5539 Před měsícem +2

    This guy speaking facts

  • @datstarz2fly
    @datstarz2fly Před 7 dny

    Your video really helps me i have a Asian boss that yells (i fuck shit up) on the workforce, allows white female customers to slam hands on my desk when they don't agree with prices or don't want to pay, im accused of coming to work late, being to i have to have my work station clean before leaving but my white coworker doesn't. I have more plus everything is documented

  • @doublea29
    @doublea29 Před 4 měsíci +2

    I'm really loving your videos I just subscribed today

  • @sirkwab6042
    @sirkwab6042 Před 2 měsíci

    Thank you for this great message

  • @k.mcdaniel8378
    @k.mcdaniel8378 Před měsícem

    Great video!!

  • @brashawnsiriboe
    @brashawnsiriboe Před 5 měsíci +1

    Stay blessed, man 😊

  • @blackman5489
    @blackman5489 Před 3 měsíci +8

    That's why we need Reparations and Black business. Put your money in a Black owned bank.

  • @user-vr6jl9kt3d
    @user-vr6jl9kt3d Před 5 měsíci +2

    Your sigh gets me cuz i know u wanna swear😅❤

  • @nellatl
    @nellatl Před měsícem +1

    Not only how to file a grievence but also put it in an email as well

  • @raysanders2224
    @raysanders2224 Před měsícem +1

    20:13 so true i worked for Delta Airlines, and they barely taught me anything. I had to watch youtube videos on how to do my job. It took them 7 months to finally give me a security checklist run down.

  • @miraclemiracle9289
    @miraclemiracle9289 Před 15 dny +1

    Yes, it's so traumatic. I do believe that a lot of minority illnesses ....high blood pressure etc. are rooted in ill treatment in these jobs and in this world.

  • @natharborpros
    @natharborpros Před 4 měsíci +3

    I love your passion, thank you. I'm working to do the same in the AI arena to facilitate inclusion for all.

    • @natharborpros
      @natharborpros Před 4 měsíci

      Btw, I'm interested is being a part of your Soul Tribe. Have you started a fellowship/community? If not, let's start one together. You lead w Love and we all need to love and be loved.

  • @Madamnlebijoux
    @Madamnlebijoux Před měsícem

    Well said 💯

  • @janesamuels7714
    @janesamuels7714 Před měsícem

    This right here 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

  • @MildredF
    @MildredF Před 6 měsíci

    Hey, my friend ❤

  • @boldandcourageous4176
    @boldandcourageous4176 Před 5 měsíci +2

    The deaf part !

  • @Still-Learning
    @Still-Learning Před 4 měsíci +1

    Title might be more exact if it was "How to Cope With Being Treated Like You're the Only "Black" Person at Work."

  • @gurlwhowants2dj
    @gurlwhowants2dj Před 4 měsíci +6

    I realize why my black manager tells me to stop asking lther questions and how she always figures stuff out herself. Its not because she wants to know it all, its because she never got the help she needed and became successful that way

    • @XailensWorld
      @XailensWorld Před 4 měsíci +2

      This is BIG FACTS!! I'm a Senior Manager on my job and I go thru this now...not getting the help/guidance I need so I figure it out. It's frustrating but it does force you to be resourceful and the challenges ultimately lead to success. I've experienced it every step of the way working my way up.

  • @lockhart8858
    @lockhart8858 Před měsícem

    All that you’re speaking about is true- all !!

  • @bethanysaga
    @bethanysaga Před 4 měsíci +2

    Their go to word is attention to detail ….the term is racist

  • @terrancecarr3823
    @terrancecarr3823 Před 5 měsíci +1

    And i also wants to say that u are a very attractive and handsome man. I hope that u don't mind me saying

  • @zeezee5744
    @zeezee5744 Před 5 měsíci +1

    💯👍🏾

  • @tatlertom3090
    @tatlertom3090 Před 25 dny

    what do you do for a living?

  • @nancytraynham6072
    @nancytraynham6072 Před 7 hodinami

    How about talking about all that black toxity on nonprofessional jobs. This is just as damaging folks. Dealing with black toxity is just as damaging.

  • @mid2k
    @mid2k Před 4 měsíci +1

    Truth!!!

  • @vincetravis70
    @vincetravis70 Před 15 dny +1

    stop working there. probabally everyone would like it and thats not with any disrespect its from experience

  • @Brian-Ahavah
    @Brian-Ahavah Před dnem

    While your busy coping and making YTube videos, someone who came here from China or India or Vietnam will be surpassing you.