Dear EDN,
During this time what are some strategies to effectively deal with existing in white corporate spaces while being black and an immigrant? I’m noticing that my fuse is short and I’m just drained. I feel angry but tell myself constantly to keep it together.
I work in the cooperate world and most of my colleagues are white. They all keep asking if I’m okay or something is wrong because I’m not my usual perky self! I keep wanting to scream back, they are killing us but all I can muster is “I’m okay.” Is it just Me?
Dear black professional,
Thank you for reaching out. First, we want to acknowledge that you’re not alone in this. Not only do we have to deal with the current COVID pandemic, but we also must endure the stress of people that look like us dying senselessly. It is tough to show up to work and put on a happy face as if nothing is happening. We have asked our readers and we gathered some feedback to help you navigate through this trying time.
Take time for yourself:
If possible, take some time off from work, a day or two to take care of yourself. It is very much needed to have some time to grieve and to just deal with the pain. If you are able, talk to someone professional or just friends you trust. Therapy can be a useful tool in allowing us to express our feelings without worrying about impacting our work.
The conversation:
If you feel comfortable, talk to your boss/colleagues about your feelings. It can be a simple “This is a difficult time for me. I feel sadness and anger about the state of our country and its treatment towards African Americans. I am not ready to have a conversation about it at work, but I do just want my colleagues to understand and give me some time to process.”
If someone says or does something that makes you want to blow your fuse, write it down right away and in the moment. This gives you a chance to express your emotions without doing so externally. When the interaction is over, read over what you wrote down. If you still feel the same rage, express it to the offending person in writing. Sometimes, writing it down may be enough to address your anger/emotion, and you may not longer need or want to have the conversation.
While there are no clear instructions or guidelines on how to deal in a white workspace while being black in America, we can try to do our best, by speaking up about our feelings. Good leadership should also try to address it. We all are trying to keep hope for the better future.