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Vote on Desiree Davidson's Story
Were they afraid we were planning a coup d'etat?
I spent my first summer during Columbia Law School at a firm in Philadelphia described as one of the best places in the city for black lawyers. I believed that if there was any place where I would have an equal chance at opportunities, be treated fairly and succeed, this would be it. There were three black female summer associates out of sixty that year but any time all three of us were in an office talking, one of the partners would knock on the door to see how we were doing. It happened too often to be a coincidence that sometimes we would purposely agree to meet in so-and-so's office to test our theory that we were being monitored. Like clock work, ten minutes after we would get together a partner would stop by.
Mercedes Montano's Experiences
In Corporate America, it was a little surprising to people that I was smart. The way I know I'm not welcome is that I'm extremely welcomed (they bend over backwards to make it look like I'm welcome, but it is awkward, and I know they are uncomfortable.) As long as I'm talking about how to cook black beans and dance salsa, I'm okay.
When I left the military, I was in quality assurance. I did statistics, numbers, reports, and that kind of stuff. I'd ask, "How do we feel about these numbers?" My boss said to me, "You're sharing numbers.