strong

Claudette- They take my kindness for weakness. They take my silence for speechless. *They consider my uniqueness strange. They call my language slang. *They see my confidence as conceit. They see my mistakes as defeat. *They consider my success accidental. They minimize my intelligence to "potential." *My questions mean, "I'm unaware." My advancement is somehow unfair. *Any praise is preferential treatment. To voice concern is discontentment. *If I stand up for myself, I'm too defensive. If I don't trust them, I'm too apprehensive. *I'm defiant if I separate. Yet, I'm fake if I assimilate. *So, constantly I am faced with work place hate.

My character is constantly under attack. Pride for my race makes me, "too black." Yet, I can only be me. And who am I you might ask? I am that Strong Black Person...Who stands on the backs of my ancestors. Achievements, with an erect spine pointing to the stars with Pride, Dignity, and Respect. Letting the American work place know, that I not only possess the ability to play by the rules but, I can make them as well! ~Black History 365