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.
African-American
Test Distance Traveled
As an IT consultant, I am often on 9-12 month contracts. This means I search for a new position at least once a year.
My work experience is outstanding, having worked with Fortune 100 companies over the past 15 years. What I'm still amazed at, is the fact that white people still comment to me that I'm so articulate! What the heck does that mean? Yes, I'm articulate, the same as my peers.
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
Working in Corporate America as a Black, gay man with AIDS feels like fighting a war I can't see
I lost my corporate job while I was in the Hospital in 1995 being treated for AIDS. My Company was in a process of down-sizing, however I was informed that they were going to keep me.
I still have anger about this issue plus I have a crime record which, although it happened 18 years ago, continues to make it rough for me to land a job in the United States.
