[lovelyivy84]

This is actually not a numbered list, but a poem. I have it up on my website, although I've forgotten who the author is. It's much nicer in poem form.

On the topic: I have not really ever had a problem with "others" in the workplace, or at least not one that I felt was due to my race. I have no problem socializing with ANYBODY, and if you make me feel welcome then I'll be nice to you. That includes chit-chat, lunches, and just general office bullshitting.

Here's my opinion though, and I think it might not be too popular: at various jobs that I've had, I see a lot of black folks shooting themselves in the foot. I have seen a lot of holier-than-thou and just general unfriendly behavior. I know that I come from an entry level/intern POV, but I have discussed this with some very succesful black people who are at fairly high levels, and it's the same mess.

Now I am not saying be fake, be perky, or try to supress your culture- I have NEVER done that- if I have my braids just done I'm talking about it, if my Mom made curry goat last night, I'll say it (and maybe even bring some in) and if we are speaking about a racial issue, I damn sure ain't gonna sugarcoat my opinions.

But don't go out of your way to be a bitch either OR allow your insecurities to alienate you from the rest because when it comes time for SOMEONE to have to go (which in our economic climate is almost a given for most industries) that will come back and bite you in the ass. Don't walk past a white colleague who is telling you Good Morning with your nose in the air, to get to your girl's (yes, the only other black person in the office!) desk. Be polite at least! Don't patronize them if they DO have a question about ethnicity, or how you feel on a racial issue. Unless it's just a dumb ass question of course. If it's really sincerely meant, then just answer it and move on. Teaching everybody and their momma about our culture is in fact our lot in life. Yes, it really is. Is it fair? No, but that's life. You don't have to love them, but be a little more than civil and you can go pretty far on it.

We are absolutely at a disadvantage initially in most workplaces, because we are different they will consider us threatening far too often in this day and age. It makes it harder to play that game, but it also makes it IMPERATIVE that we do so.