more, on being black by YOU

big meeting is tomorrow, I'll let you all know how it went.  Thanks a

lot for all of the comments and support.  It's not like I don't know this

shit exists or know how to handle it, it simply serves as good life

experience to write about, talk about, bring to the attention of others and

make people think about how they would handle the same situation.  More than

anything, I hope that by sharing how others feel about the situation, it can

show you (as it showed me), these things happen to a lot of people and

everyone handles and/or approaches the situation differently.  Here are some

of the replies I received on this one....



CD of the moment: Giles Peterson - "Worldwide Programme 3"





-----------------

Hmmmm, a tricky task. I'd say you have to use what you have to rise to the

top. And if that means you have to use your expertise at being black then so

be it. I think that the good ole boy network is in existence and although

the world is changing some things will always be the same. (At least in our

lives) SO put your best black face forward and "tap dance" until the project

is won by your firm.

------------------

What little minds there are in this world.



I think it's a question of what you feel comfortable doing. Will not going

affect your position in the firm (though you're trying to move forward)? If

so, then go. But make everyone aware that you are being brought into the

meeting at the last minute--make this situation benefit YOU. Who knows what

connections the other folks in the room may have... It's definitely WRONG of

your boss to approach you in that manner. And adding about 'catering to the

client' is crap. It's insulting and makes the firm look racist as a whole.

So be sure to come out on top whatever you decide. Don't let someone else's

ignorance fall on you my friend :)

------------------

After the okie doke. . . Hit em' with the rope a dope. Go to the meeting do

your thing and throw a spin on it which puts your boss in a corner and let

them have. Be subtle of course, but weave into the presentation how you

found out why you were chosen at the last minute. Your boss is left dazed

and confused and you are able to exact some form of revenge for your years

of neglect.



You may want another job lined up after that. . . I'll let you handle the

mundane details of course.



Curt, you are going to have to stick it to them before you go. If not for

you then for MLK, Malcolm X, Crispus Attucks, Amadou Diallo, Medgar Evers,

Prince Jones, Rodney King, Jackie Robinson, and the first African who told

the slave trappers "Fuck you, you fuckin fuck", "I ain't goin no

mutha-fuckin place on anybody's mutha-fuckin boat bitch".

---------------------

you've already committed yourself to presenting this project so I would go.

Once you are done, you politely get into a conversation of how you felt it

was inappropriate and in the future to not include you on presentations that

you were never involved. You can talk to this guy about this situation

without making waves, but I would make waves.



--------------------------

It depends on how much you want to flex your muscles. Do they need you more

than you need them? Are you willing to ask them to prove it? For lack of a

better phrase, are you ready to put your dick on the table? I think you are.



They are using you, your skin color, and most importantly, your HU (read

black) degree. (They probably won't even bother to mention where you went to

grad school.) Let them use you. Let them use you like a $2 crack ho.

Emphasize how much of a team player you are. Find out as much as you can

about the client guy so that you'll dazzle the rest of team with your

ability to impress the client.



What do you want in return? More challenging, more high-profile project

assignments? A better cube/desk? A promotion? A raise? (Be careful. Raises

are difficult to get in these situations because it makes the employer feel

like it's a bribe.)



I would shoot for a slight promotion. Nothing too visible to make the

non-union (read anybody who isn't black) employees feel nervous. You don't

want a showy move to the next level. You just want to move into a position

with access to better projects and a slightly better salary. Emphasis on the

projects, so they won't feel like they're being bribed. But the money is a

necessity.



If you think they might have the balls to counter with a threat to fire you,

consult an employment attorney in your area. Have an attorney in your back

pocket before you make your move. Need to know how to find an employment law

attorney? Look in the local newspaper archives for stories of recent

lawsuits. Contact the winning attorney in the cases. Try to have a

consultation before you make your move.

------------

Oh, i can't begin 2 tell u just how many times i've been in this situation

in MY white agency i call a job.. I usuallly go w/ much attitude but when i

get there show them mo'fos why i'm paid as much as i am and why i'm so damn

good despite being black, and woman, letting them know that hey.. i know my

shit, no matter what color and gender i am.. take that.shit (that's normally

the expression on my face and i know this) ..sometimes unfortunately u're

just gonna have to go and suck it up but while u're there.. let yo shit

SHINE like the northern star...and let them know u're not only there cuz

u're a brotha but u're a brotha who got his shit together.. Now, make sure u

wear a really nice Armani suit and u're looking so good when u walk down the

streets of Chitown.. a photographers gonna want 2 take yo photo for Code

Magazine..Wear that confidence that all brotha have and just handle yo

bizness cause when it's all over.. u still gotta work w/ those racist ass

white folks..and they still help u pay the bills..



--------

well.....now your job has definitely been confirmed to have issues. i

understand his point from a management perspective but at the same time, i'd

be concerned that that is the only reason why he asked you to be involved.

how does he really feel about you and "your talent"? why weren't you asked

in the beginning? are others more skilled or more experienced that are on

the project? if not, and you are getting screwed from participating in other

projects, i would think that it is appropriate to confront your boss (me not

knowing if he can have a rational professional conversation) about your

desire to move forward and get more involved, etc.....otherwise maybe you

need to find a firm that more closely matches your personality, design

influence, and general atmosphere that promotes learning and growth. you may

even have to relocate to find this.......



------------

Even the actors who played Amos and Andy paved the way for future

generations. Just do the best you can, don't forget who you are and what

you're about and make them pay later.

----------------

Curt, do the dance they want you to do. At the same time take the

opportunity To introduce yourself personally to the client. More than likely

He's been where your at right now, he's been the token, he knows the game.

Maybe go as far as to ask the guy for a lunch date, to get inside his head.

At the same time don't overshadow your boss, white folks are extremely

Sensitive to anyone stepping on there toes.

-----------------

what to do next will strongly depend on what you want. do you wnat to stay

at the job? do you want to stay in chicago? are you ready to go out on your

own? when are you ready to go out on your own?

the reason i say that is because this can easily be turned to your

advantage. if you are eager to go out on your own in a year or two, then let

these crackers talk you up. let them shower you with accolades.



If possible, talk more with your boss to see how much he is gonna give you

props, and how much he will let you in on this project, probably your boss

will just want you to sit behind him while he and his team talk it up, but

if you talk to your boss and somehow get it across to him that 'we black

folk' can get offended if we see beyond the facade of bringing in the 2

black folk that work for the company just to sit in the room because he's

black, you may be able to get more info about the project then he would be

otherwise willing to share.



the next move depends on 'shaft of the architecture world'. all he would

need to do is ask you a question.......any question. any self-respecting,

race-card caryying, member of teh african-american race would be wondering

if the two black faces represented 100% of the companies minority staff. if

he had any balls what so ever he would have to ask the black guys a question

to see if they are really on board with this project, or if it is what it

is.........a desperate pitiful attempt to use us for money. you know you can

also prompt a question by putting on the occasional perplexed look like,

"really, i had no idea that wall was going there".



now here comes the tough part, when that question comes, it will be

something basic about the project, but also a chance to let your wit

through. because if you can get him to have a reserved laugh, you are

golden. don't say some dumb shit though that will make him crack up, but

think of you as a joker, because then he won't blame the crackers for not

giving you more of a part the project.



you can do it man, i'm sure i haven't told you anything you don't know. i

gotta roll out man, i holla later.

i think if this is the route you go, with the goal of getting business from

this black guy in the future you need to know all the facts, but i'm sure

you know if you play this wrong this could seriously backfire............

-----------



As far as a moral call, I'm not going to make one yet, but I do know that a

lot of different people are asked to participate in certain ways, to relate

with future clients. When putting a team together, one wants to relate to

the prospect. I know for example, that in the past with Asian prospects, we

may send someone from that area of the world, good 'ol' boy clients ...we'll

send someone like that, Jewish clients well we'd send them if we could, but

we're looking to hire someone.... J/K  not really.



I know this is a personal issue for you and I think some times you may be

over sensitive.. and rightfully so. I think you're right, that is exactly

why they are asking you, because you're a good face person.



I think you're the only one who can make a moral judgment as to what goes on

in your group and how you are treated as a result. I think you need to make

a stand one way or the other on that moral judgment.



You are apart of the machine or you're not.



If you support the organization, think they have good intentions, and want

your face and name associated with this machine, GO, sell it, and work with

it.



If you don't support this approach, feel that you are being treated unjustly

and that there is a race card being played against you, don't go, and handle

the situation accordingly.



"Measure a man not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,

but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."

M.L.K.