Being a person of color is enough of a reason to disqualify a person from a job. Regardless of what people of color have accomplished in this lifetime, we are never good enough to simply be accepted as qualified for a position. We must endure a crucible from our white counterparts each time we endeavor to reach for a greater position outside of our own insular community, proving ourselves to be worthy of an opportunity!
Watching the Congressional hearing of Ketanji Brown Jackson is heartbreaking, vexing, and stress inducing. It brings back all the fears and anxiety I felt every time I have had to interview for a position, I knew that I was qualified for. Despite those qualifications, I faced a judge and jury I knew would see my skin first before they heard me. Every person of color understands the calculus that occurs during such interviews as the one playing out in Congress right now. From the simple backrooms of the local shoe store to the wood-laden conference rooms of the Federal government, people of color have endured the proverbial gauntlet of the interview. Despite their impeccable resume extolling years of experience, past appraisals lauding years of excellent performance, people of color are overtly interrogated about their abilities to do a job where they have the requisite qualifications to do the job well.
At issue is the intent behind the questions. Often the interviewer is incredulous that a person of color possesses such a stellar resume or can perform the duties that she/he states. This question of veracity is learned behavior and is now commonplace for many white interviewers. What’s more is that even when the person of color satisfactorily answers the question, some interviewers still question if the person can do the job or if they have simply mastered the art of answering the questions.
Perhaps it is hard to comprehend how one could believe I or anyone else could cull this information from an interview. It could be argued that what I am stating is simply conjecture or perception, at best. Arguably, however, anecdotally any person of color can share with you their experiences collectively that have confirmed what I have stated. And though it may not be proven in the since that it can be measured, I assert that when a person of color prepares for an interview the palpable anxiety she/he gets when they are confronted with a white interviewer, especially if it is more than one (e.g. panel), there is validity to what I am saying.
People of color face many obstacles in employment. People of color’s rise is predicated on their ability to perform at a high level constantly. Mistakes for people of color are indelible. It follows them for life. The playing field isn’t and has never been level. People of color must always prove themselves to be worthy of the next level, the next opportunity regardless of their past accomplishments. This truth would not be so caustic if it were not for the fact that their white counterparts are liberally given a pass when it comes to experience or proof of ability. History has shown all too often that many white individuals have been preordained. Without any real accomplishments, they many whites are given the position with the assumption that they can do the job.
I know many intelligent, hardworking people of color who have been passed over for opportunities. I cannot say with certainty that they were passed over because they were a person of color. I can say, however, that if you looked at their resume alone and were asked to judge whether or not that person should be given an opportunity to work, I would venture to guess that 9 out of 10 people would unequivocally say yes. Conversely, I know white people who have also been passed over who also were very qualified for a position, so by no means do I suggest that this is simply a problem for people of color. What I do say is this: People of color, historically, have had to fight a perpetual battle to be recognized as quality employees in the workplace. They are passed over consistently for promotions and undervalued for a myriad of meritless reasons. This salient point is uncontested in the Black community and should be in the white community. People of color have and continue to contribute at a high level of facets of American society. It is time that people of color no longer must fight with indignation for every opportunity.
"You are worthy!” Cory Booker, US Senator
One of the most powerful things in the world can be obtained and used liberally by anyone who chooses to use it. "If" can be the beginning of something great or the acquiescence to defeat. How will you use your "if"?
