Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

WOMEN OF COLOR EXPERIENCE WORK LIFE DIFFERENTLY
gannett via bloomberg no url | 11/26/3

Posted on 11/26/2003 9:24:45 AM PST by NativeNewYorker

Subtle things mark the experiences of many women of color in the corporate world.

An executive discovers she hasn't been invited for after-work drinks with other executives where key deals are discussed. A young MBA is passed over for an executive training program while others with fewer qualifications are promoted. A newcomer to the firm is continually asked, ``What are you?''

``A lot of us women of color have similar stories,'' said Gilda M. Morales, a former corporate accountant who is a program coordinator for public information services at the Center for American Women and Politics, a division of Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute of Politics in New Brunswick, N.J.

``There's always that time where you look around and say to yourself, 'What does it take to get ahead? Why does it seem like I'm on a different track than the men and white women in this company?'' said Morales, a Latina. ``It's a frustration I've found women of color deal with in corporations as well as in academia.''

Morales was among 600 women participating in a groundbreaking conference, ``Best Companies for Women of Color,'' held earlier this year in New York. For many attendees, it was their first time participating in a conference specifically for - and about - women of color.

``What stood out for me was the different issues and similar issues facing all of us,'' said Gloria D. McDonald, manager of diversity for Prudential Financial Services. McDonald is black. ``We had an opportunity to all highlight the positive things we all brought to the workplace.''

While their presence and success in their companies would seem to signal progress of diversity initiatives in the corporate world, most of the women agreed they faced daunting challenges: few or no sponsors or mentors, pay inequity and feeling isolated because there were few, if any, women of color near or at the top.

In addition, many women of color are confronted with instances in which others in their organizations make assumptions about them based on stereotypes associated with their cultural or ethnic identity.

``There is a ladder with different rungs,'' said Lesia Bates Moss, a senior vice president in the real estate finance group at Moody's Investors Service in New York. Moss is black. ``On those rungs, we are very well staggered, starting first and foremost with Caucasian men, who are running most corporations. Women of color are at the bottom of that ladder.''

Many speakers and participants said the attitudes and behaviors leading to that bottom placement are easy to miss - unless you're the one being left out.

``In general, European people consciously deny their negative feelings about people of color. They will not discriminate openly and directly,'' said Melba Vasquez, an Austin, Texas-based psychologist, who is a Latina. But, she said, many whites do still feel uncertain or uneasy around people of color. ``Because of those feelings, they will discriminate, often unintentionally, when their behavior can be justified on the basis of some factor other than race or ethnicity.

``When we're anxious and uneasy because we're uncomfortable around certain people, that comes through. One may not be conscious of it, but the receiver usually is.''

Given these types of challenges, speakers and participants agreed that the most important thing for women of color was to hold onto their identities.

``At the end of the day, you have to be yourself. You are what you are and all of you should feel terrific about where you are and who you are. You're all very successful,'' said Miriam Vializ-Briggs, vice president of marketing for grid computing at IBM, who is a Latina.

``You have to wake up every morning and feel you're great, that you have wonderful skills and experiences to bring to your organization.''


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News
KEYWORDS: worldssmallestviolin
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last
There isn't a firm in America that, under the watchful eyes of the EEOC and tort lobby, would pass over a qualified black woman.

Naturally, there is no mention of the blacks at the head of Time-Warner, American Express, Merrill Lynch or the national security apparatus.

1 posted on 11/26/2003 9:24:46 AM PST by NativeNewYorker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
Play the race card collect a million dollars......
2 posted on 11/26/2003 9:27:23 AM PST by joesnuffy (Moderate Islam Is For Dilettantes)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

Why is the expression "women of color" preferable to "colored women"?
4 posted on 11/26/2003 9:28:49 AM PST by BadAndy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
What Color????
5 posted on 11/26/2003 9:29:51 AM PST by expatguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: third double
America won't really be free until a lesbian-transexual-handi-capable woman of color is in charge of every Fortune 500 Company. Hillary told me so.
6 posted on 11/26/2003 9:30:32 AM PST by Callahan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: expatguy
Fuscia
7 posted on 11/26/2003 9:31:07 AM PST by Callahan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BadAndy
So are "painted women" considered "colored women"? That is unless they are painted flesh color.
8 posted on 11/26/2003 9:32:04 AM PST by expatguy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
``There's always that time where you look around and say to yourself, 'What does it take to get ahead? Why does it seem like I'm on a different track than the men and white women in this company?'' said Morales, a Latina.

Umm, could it be because you think of yourself as a WOC first and a team member next ? Exactly what do you bring to the table Ms. Morales ? I mean besides the chip. Oh, and the democrat politics.

9 posted on 11/26/2003 9:32:42 AM PST by af_vet_1981
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
Actually, this is the legacy of affirmative action. I have seen plenty of cases where someone who could have taken advantage of an affirmative action program is automatically assumed to be less qualified for the position. It truly is pathetic.
10 posted on 11/26/2003 9:32:56 AM PST by FormerLib
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BadAndy
Because they are women first, "of color" second. I like to refer to myself as a human of low melanin-concentration.
11 posted on 11/26/2003 9:32:59 AM PST by Callahan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
``Best Companies for Women of Color,'' held earlier this year in New York. For many attendees, it was their first time participating in a conference specifically for - and about - women of color.

So, I am to understand that pink is not a color.

That's because nobody who is of the hue "pink" will be allowed or represented.

12 posted on 11/26/2003 9:33:27 AM PST by Lazamataz (PROUDLY SCARING MYSELF SINCE 1999 !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BadAndy
It's a racist term, it means anti-white.
13 posted on 11/26/2003 9:34:41 AM PST by aynrandfreak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
``In general, European people consciously deny their negative feelings about people of color. They will not discriminate openly and directly,'' said Melba Vasquez, an Austin, Texas-based psychologist, who is a Latina. But, she said, many whites do still feel uncertain or uneasy around people of color. ``Because of those feelings, they will discriminate, often unintentionally, when their behavior can be justified on the basis of some factor other than race or ethnicity.
``When we're anxious and uneasy because we're uncomfortable around certain people, that comes through. One may not be conscious of it, but the receiver usually is.''

Melba, you're toast.

Since the "European people" have the problem I suggest you move to France and solve it. In the meantime, we who are genuine Americans and the "receivers" of your racism would like you to stop your discrimination policies.

14 posted on 11/26/2003 9:35:56 AM PST by af_vet_1981
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Callahan
Whom do you sue to fix that?
15 posted on 11/26/2003 9:36:32 AM PST by maro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
There isn't a firm in America that, under the watchful eyes of the EEOC and tort lobby, would pass over a qualified black woman.

Exactly.

An executive discovers she hasn't been invited for after-work drinks with other executives where key deals are discussed. A young MBA is passed over for an executive training program while others with fewer qualifications are promoted. A newcomer to the firm is continually asked, ``What are you?''

This might be true, if we were talking about fat people. Or "ugly" people. Or those without the right connections to the boss. Or who didn't go to the same school as their supervisor. Or the same frat. On and on and on. But due to race? Don't make me laugh.

16 posted on 11/26/2003 9:36:47 AM PST by Timesink (I'm not a big fan of electronic stuff, you know? Beeps ... beeps freak me out. They're bad.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: aynrandfreak
It's a racist term, it means anti-white.

Yep, you nailed it. They are racists.

17 posted on 11/26/2003 9:36:50 AM PST by af_vet_1981
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
Best Companies for Women of Color...

it was their first time participating in a conference specifically for - and about - women of color.

No White Women Need Not Apply (WWNA)

18 posted on 11/26/2003 9:37:32 AM PST by 2banana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
Next will be affirmative action support of after-hours socializing. (I've actually run across this. In one particularly, obscenely corrupt pharmaceutical company I worked for--it's one of the top three--a certain female of color complained that she was being ignored professionally because the rest of us didn't want to look at her bitchy, hostile face after work, when we weren't being paid to do so. Our manager was completely nonplussed. What could he do? She was promoted shortly afterward, as this company was openly promoting blacks above all others, regardless of qualifications or performance. They said it was "for the government money." Very open about it. And this was during the W presidency, bots.)

//rant off
19 posted on 11/26/2003 9:37:32 AM PST by warchild9
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Lazamataz
I'm not pink, I'm flesh colored. :->
20 posted on 11/26/2003 9:38:06 AM PST by BadAndy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson