[Phil]

I am the only African American in a department of about 150 people. It’s been this way for 18 months. I work in the data processing field as a computer programmer. My organization seems to have a problem with hiring minorities. Why don’t they realize they have a problem? How do I reconcile my internal feelings when conversing with my co-workers, most of whom I like, with the ill-will I hold toward the group as a whole? It seems the group as a whole has made a conscious decision to avoid movement into the 2st Century by promoting equal opportunity. Why should I attend company functions, when I can’t help but feel that to take my family to the company picnic or my wife to the Christmas party, I will be putting them on display to be judged on their behaviors and attitudes? And how do I know these questions don’t pertain to my own hang-ups and not to those of my organization or the people I work with? Thank you for this site. Regardless of whether these questions are posted, Y? will receive a portion of my 1999 charitable contributions.
Original Code R570. Click here to see responses from the original archives. Click “to respond” below to reply.

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Name : Phil, Gender : M, Race : Black/African American, Age : 35, City : Des Moines, State : IA, Country : United States, Occupation : Computer Programmer, 

[Ray]

Don’t automatically assume the organization has a problem because the racial proportions aren’t up to your expectations. You are judging the company and your co-workers solely on black headcount instead of personal experience. I would agree with your concern if you had given examples of racism by white employees, and then there would be plenty of legal ways to address this problem. But if black headcount is your only criteria for job happiness, then perhaps you should look for a minority-owned company, where I’m sure your skills would be appreciated. The fact that you feel uncomfortable around white people implies racism on your end, while you are making it sound like the company is at fault. If you like the people and the job and are treated well, you are fortunate. Don’t assume there is a racial problem or that the company isn’t progressive. Job satisfaction and personal relationships with co-workers aren’t determined by headcount.

User Detail :  

Name : Ray, Gender : M, Age : 48, City : Sterling Heights, State : MI, Country : United States, 

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