Are you a representative for your race?

[Sistermadly]

(I hope the ladies of AKA don't mind me starting a thread here...)

I have a question for "us". I'm on a professional listserv, and people on the list are talking about scholarships for minorities. A sister mentioned that one of the reasons that few black people are attracted to our profession is because it lacks financial and social prestige that black folks want/need, and someone (white) responded that this lack of prestige isn't limited to only one race.

I wrote back that he had a point, but that I'd venture to guess that he wasn't thought of as a representative for the white race while he carried out his job duties. I also said that even though there's very little payoff for me right now, I'm always trying to advance a little bit more in terms of duties, responsibilities, and financial rewards so that some little black girl out there can look at me and say "Wow, if she made it, then I can too."

So my question is this: if you work in a majority white environment (or even if you don't), do you feel a special obligation to be a representative for your race? Are you conscious of being a role model?