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The Only Black Guy in the Office
I’m Not Your Poster Child for Workplace Diversity
Why won’t companies quit slapping a Band-Aid on things and make some actual meaningful changes?
Update 6/7/22: Level has a new home. You can read this article and other new articles by visiting LEVELMAN.com.
There’s nothing wrong with a little special treatment from time to time. Not having to do chores on your birthday as a kid. Your uncle sneaking you $10 under the table because you’re his favorite nephew. Getting a few extra sauces at the Chick-fil-A counter, no charge. (Sure, everyone gets that, it feels so damn personal!) Those little moments feel good. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve become privy to a more irksome brand of special treatment. Like getting sought out for “opportunities” to be Thee Token Black Employee for your newly woke White-ass company. And in the words of Chief Keef, that’s that shit I don’t like.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that for the most part, having a job is strictly transactional. You might have a few cases where passion for the work takes precedence, or you find co-workers who might later give your wedding toast, but at the end of the day, The Big Company has one thing in mind: What else can this hire do for me? And for…
