[n/a]

I am white and starting a job in a 98.7 percent black workplace. Additionally, I grew up in an economically privileged background, and the population I’ll be working with is poor. I tend to like/respect/accept people from all backgrounds, and I hope to be liked/respected/accepted in my new position. But given my background, I’m afraid I may have blindspots and might unintentionally offend some people. I’ll be in a middle management position, taking and giving directions. Any advice, dos and don’ts, would be appreciated.

User Detail :  

Name : n/a, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 50, City : Philadelphia, State : PA, Country : United States, Occupation : teacher, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper class, 

[Shifity]

I am one of only three white guys at work (except for the bosses), and I love it. It is quite a learning environment. As far as a list of do’s and don’t’s, there are not any; just be yourself (unless you’r a member of the KKK). Get to know them; once you have established a relationship with them you can ask them anything. It’s the best. I now hang out with my co-workers, and my group of friends is more diverse now. I am definitely a better person.

User Detail :  

Name : Shifity, Gender : M, Age : 20, City : mobile, State : AL, Country : United States, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[I. Cade]

I would recommend you talk to your supervisor. Your black friends may be of some help, but the odds are they are privileged as well. You do not have to act like the people you work with to be accepted. When you are faking, people can pick up on it. Same goes for being genuine.

User Detail :  

Name : I. Cade, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Catholic, Age : 22, City : Los Angeles, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : graduate, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Beth]

I want to congratulate you on wanting to expand your network of friends. I believe you can never have enough friends. These people you are working with are working in a poor area, and they are in a minority racial group, but you will find that everyone has a story to tell. There will be people who are tremendously involved in civic clubs, church groups or non-profit charities. There will be people who have family who have stories to tell about things you have never heard about. You say you are privileged, and I assume by that you mean financially, but there are so many other ways to be privileged. By talking with your co-workers and finding out who they are and what makes them tick, you’ll be comfortable enough to be yourself and think of others first.

User Detail :  

Name : Beth, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, Age : 34, City : Jacksonville, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : Freelance writer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[C.J.]

Yes’ be yourself, your concern of offending others has already proven you have a good heart

User Detail :  

Name : C.J., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Baptist, Age : 48, City : Omaha, State : NE, Country : United States, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class, 

[valerie]

It doesn’t matter what you do! Your white and will be resented for your position no matter how sensitive and enlightened you try to be. I love your determination to do a good job and God bless you for it. But mark my words, you will come across characteristics that will drain your reserves and patience by the majority of any other culture or race. In the end, you will say I didn’t want to feel that way, but I do.

User Detail :  

Name : valerie, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Mormon, Age : 45, City : Ft. Lauderdale, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : sales, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Author]

Posts