As a black girl, if accepting a job, how do I make sure I'm being hired for my credentials and not my color?

Question

I think affirmative action is racist, patronizing, and insulting. I don't want to be a "token black girl". But I don't want to become paranoid either. It would feel rude and embarrassing if I actually literally asked "are you only hiring me because I'm black"?

Answer 1

Live life as if there was no racism.Because there is very little.

Answer 2

First of all, I agree with you--in theory. I don't think it matters much tho'. Here's why.

If they are doing that and you asked them, they would not tell you.

If they weren't doing that, they wouldn't dare answer the question either. There are a lot of laws and rules employers have to follow when hiring and there are things they don't dare say.

Chances are, you will be hired as a 'token black girl.' How is that different than being hired because you have large (white, black or any other color) breasts?
Or because you are pretty?
Or how is it different than being the best qualified, but not hired because you are not young?
Or a guy and not a woman?
Or, how is it any different than being hired because you are the boss'es nephew?
Or any of the other things that aren't fair in society?

Forget about being a 'token black girl' or not. You can't do anything about that.

If you are offered a job, decide whether or not you want the job. Take it or don't. But if you do take it, concentrate on being the best employee they have, so that in the end you actually are working there because you are the best qualified and the best quality employee there is.

Answer 3

The best thing to do is to just do the best job you can. Do people hire black people as a token? Sure they do...but never automatically assume that's why you were hired. You were hired because you were the best qualified person for the job! When I hire anyone I don't care if they're white, black, yellow, or purple with pink polka dots! I want the person that I believe will do the best job, expand my business, and project a postive image for my company. In your case, you new boss thought you were that person!

Answer 4

Unless the firm is run by the KKK, or Neo Nazis, I think it's safe to assume you were hired because of your credentials. It's a tough job market, and a company loses a great deal of time and money training someone who will not work out. Believe me, they saw you as an asset to their company.

Today's culture is a melting pot of people from all over — highly intelligent people, with much to offer the world. We must encourage all of these gifted people by placing them in good jobs. I find this melting pot of new cultures is exciting as they slowly blend their together. Our language is evolving too.

When a lawyer friend, of mine, had a conversation with her son regarding gay marriage, he was very anti-gay. At the same time he, caucasian, was married to a black woman. There was a time in history when the two would have been left out to hang & would have felt persecuted. His mother told him that to deny others rights opens the door to having your rights taken away. His marriage rights could be easily overturned if the wrong people got into power, so don't be so intent on oppressing others rights. He thought about that.

I was young and marched for civil rights in the 1960's, and it wasn't easy back then. People rioted. Our mayor threw a curfew on the whole city, at night, and it prevented a lot of deaths & injuries. That mayor was re-elected each time by both Blacks & Caucasians, until he retired, because he prevented bloodshed.

We've come a long way, and yes there are always uncouthly hateful people out there, but they are out-numbered by the masses of people who know discrimination is low, unfair and unacceptable.

Answer 5

I don't feel like color plays a role in how a person performs their Job duties at all. Your resume probally spoke louder then the color thing. You should never feel this way about skin color. This world has changed a lot. This is not the 1800's and have you seen Conda Lisa Rice. what a fine lady she is. She is Black and I'm sure she was not hired because of her skin color either. You sound very smart and nice also, who wouldn't hire you?

Answer 6

You are not going to know, and most likely you are being hired just because of affirmative action. Thanks to all of the whining from blacks and other do gooders, you will never know. The chances are quite good that you are being hired as a token black, because federal law requires a certain percentage of a particular demographic to be in the workplace.

Answer 7

I wouldn't know the proper way to go about asking that question of an employer,it would be best to avoid it,you don't want to cause any unneccessary tension for yourself. Just do your job at your best and if you find evidence of racism,definately report it.Just go to your job doing what you were hired to do and know at the end of the day,the beauty of it all is that you will not have to see any undesirable faces once you close your door. You can look around at your job and see how many others are black as well and just basically just observe what you see.

Answer 8

Forget affirmative action: law dictates they could never mention it anyway....

The Halo Effect is far better: the beautiful or already successful rise to the top everytime....work on this one, it is not colour specific and will work more for you than the colour ticket...

Answer 9

Be realistic, professional, good eye contact, and dress nice. You will be more LIKELY to be hired even by a racist interviewer, because you look good. Even if she's another female.

Answer 10

You sound like an intelligent well educated person,I'm sure whoever hires you will because of your qualities and not because of the color of your skin

Answer 11

don't ask them...give them a chance to prove the token system is not an option with this job...go in and do your best and keep your eyes and ears open for this but also for sexual harassment...that is dangerous and illegal too.