How to Survive working with and for White People.

[Indiglow Meta (R$G)]

Explain

Work extra hard to get noticed, be noticed, and get used for that specific purpose without getting due recognition or advancement...brehs.
He's talking about folks just starting out...I thought he meant keep it that way.
Make sure you get credit for your contribution... Document it, record folks....If you see people doing less and advancing, make new plans. It happens.

 

[iFightSeagullsForBread]

What's your line of work breh? Are you an entrepreneur/freelance worker?

I work in a restuaunt ironically enough

 

[Logic Reigns Supreme]

This thread is Gods work... thanks breh...

Mods should pin at the top... plenty of youngens need to be aware

Yo, who is that in your Avy? Thx.

 

[Mr swag]

Be energetic and happy BUT keep to yourself. Only speak when spoken too. You can always do these all at the same time. Brown nose the boss. That is the person you need on your side. While everyone hates them, they know you have their back and they will return the favor. When you constantly tell them have great they are.....why would they ever get rid of that????? Seriously

 

[Maude]

Snitch

Great advice HR is your friend

 

[⠝⠕⠏⠑]

I'm happily blatantly open about racial shyt when interacting with whites but I play it off like I'm joking or like they need to chill.

I also don't hesitate to discuss really uncomfortable racial topics with them while leading the conversation on how shameful and horrible it is.
If they disagree they look like the bad guy and I ask innocent leading questions like "I mean what is the big deal about disliking somebody whose skin is different?"
Or "Have u ever heard of black Wallstreet?"

The key is to slide the ether as innocently as possible. Like when they start talking about their preferences, I start talking about the superiority of blk features. "Yeah, I'm not really a fan of thinner lips. I like more fuller features and thicker hair. Straight and thin just looks limp and boring to me, but everybody is different!"
Then skip away.

I fawn over black celebrities in front of them. "He's so damn fine! That chocolate skin, those lips!" "Omg her ass is amazing! Black girl magic!"

I always find little ways to correct them sweetly. "Oh yeah that was a little inaccurate. I redid the analysis..."


Talk about negative effects of whites in Africa. "Omg! People are so silly thinking that Africans needed white people for civilization even tho they were some of the richest countries in the world and clean as hell compared to cities like London. Amirite, eh?" "Geez I would have loved to have lived in the Africa before colonialism."




They be fuming, confused, and fed up but they can't say anything without exposing themselves as blatant racists so they have to just take it. And I be smiling.

 

[kickz]

1- Always lock your PC anytime you get up and away from your desk
2- Don't talk politics, or religion
3- Keep collecting checks and keep it movin

 

[klientel]

Maybe I just been lucky but I never had to do any of this shyt....

I fukk off at work, I take long lunches, I get up in people business, I do whatever. Some of the white dudes are legit cool as fukk and some are fukk boys. Just like some of the black dudes are cool and some are bytches. As long as I do my work it's all good. Maybe it's just different in IT.

 

[cjlaw93]

Damn this a c00n ass docile thread

 

[BIXBY]

Yo, who is that in your Avy? Thx.

Jezebel Vesser

 

[DonRe]

I work at a non profit and work with mostly minorities since we deal with uplifting the community in around the Bronx.

But it's a much older crowd and they don't really talk like that. Maybe in passing about family and sports.

However we are very liberal there and don't bring that trump talk around. You will get a stern talking to by the many older black women there.

 

[ViShawn]

I'll post some when I get home.

 

[ViShawn]

Posted this in the other thread

1) DON'T KISS ASS
-You're a man/woman there to do a job and if you're in Corporate America you generally have a decent skillset to earn a little bread and climb up in the ladder. Have some self respect. People will respect you more when you do that and not do that. Also I say this for selfish reasons as a black man and generally being one of the few in my roles. Don't shuck and jive for anyone.

2) DO Network
-You will meet people along the way that will help you in your career. Your network can help you identify trends in the industry, land you somewhere else, help you with mentorship along the way. You can't do everything alone. There's a stage in our adulthood where we are involved in an interdependent relationship in our life. This holds very true in the workforce.

3) Build Your Brand
-This goes along with #2 on my list. Think of yourself as your personal enterprise. Anything positive or negative you do will reflect on you. I work in Linux Operations and have worked in Web Hosting in the past. I was told early on that any ticket I make with my work was a reflection of me. Remember when you put your name on something that is YOUR work.

Another thing with building your brand, choose the people around you wisely. Don't burn bridges either. This is crucial. You may not like the person you are with but don't end a relationship sour if you can help it. If you leave something and maintain professionalism, no one can say anything else about you than that. If you were hard to work with, insubordinate, etc then word will travel around. I work in a tech community and this shyt will come back to you for better or worse in the future.

Building your brand helps because there will be people that will co-sign you for jobs in the future. Also some of these people will help you along the way if you show you are a good worker, have a positive mental attitude, and have a willingness to learn. You may get a good word when you are job hunting.

4) Keep Learning
-Quite simple. Take time outside of work learning new skills, new trends in the industry, networking, etc. I shouldn't have to say this but many working adults think a degree somehow indemnifies them of any volatility in the job market. Nope, people with Master's Degrees lose their jobs, kids coming out of college having a hard time getting a job, companies wanting 4 years of an experience for an entry level job. It's hard out there for a pimp. Keep learning and improving your skillset to make yourself more marketable.

5) Give Back
-This isn't really something that will help you in your personal aspirations in your career, but don't forget about those that want to be where you're at. There's young brothers and sisters I see that want to get where I'm at. Even giving them advice like this will help someone along the way. I still ask people more knowledgeable than me on certain subjects and in turn I try to give it back to others where I can.

I do my best to not turn down someone who asks me "Hey can you help me out with this" or "Hey will you teach me xyz?" You don't know how much of an indelible impact you can make on someone by simply just helping them.

 

[ViShawn]

Oh yeah and in the tech field I think some rules are different. Sure you have to navigate some corporate BS, but the idea of hoarding knowledge and isolating yourself is frowned upon especially since you can't be an expert on EVERY technology, you need to rely on others on your team. Not only that, but it also dulls your skillset as well, so that's why I say seek allies and build your network.

 

[ReggieFlare]

Good thread.

It's already been said, but I think it needs to be emphasised: Be VERY careful about letting coworkers get too comfortable around you. I'm personally starting to realize the importance of this.

Some cats are just habitual line steppers and if you let them get too close there will come a time when they'll cross that line. This may result in a situation where you either gotta check em or just accept the abuse; in either scenario, you run the risk of creating a toxic work environment from that point forward. It's best to avoid this from the jump by not getting too chummy in the first place.

It's not really too hard to spot these kind of people either. Take note of anyone who has a mean-spirited sense of humor or anyone who talks to you about other coworkers, especially in a negative light. Keep these kind of people at a distance and don't divulge too much of yourself to them as they may use that against you later down the line.