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.
Considering Leaving
I was with a male coworker whom I got along great with and we were both doing well. We knew we were both about to receive a $10,000 bonus for doing such a great job with a huge project.
I was stressed me out beyond belief and eventually even pitted my coworkers and myself against each other a bit, because they were all trying to stay out of the new manager's firing range.
I would've had some real recourse to report what was going on and wouldn't have had to fear for my job.
Be born with a penis. That's about your only shot, unless you worked for this guy at his previous employer's.
Tanya Timmerman
It is assumed that African Americans are less intelligent or worldly. When someone is speaking to you and uses a term they assume you are unfamiliar with, they will give you the definition or explanation without you asking for it.
These issues did not impact my working situation, as I am always professional.
Life is too short for nonsense, start your own business. If you are not a risk taker, work at a company where the majority of the people are like you.
Colleen Clark
I report to a woman who has worked at my transportation company for over 25 years. All the other managers are also women of color.
