IG Merch

They love our culture but they don’t love us. I’ve seen this on a shirt on Instagram and find myself thinking of the saying often. Especially when working in corporate where I shake my damn head daily.

They can dance to our music and sing along to our songs, but we still can’t speak openly about things that are unique to the black experience. We still have to have hushed conversations in corners away from the rest of the "team" where we can freely be ourselves but just for a minute and not too loudly.

Free.

I remember working a client event and after a series of long days we made it to the final party. The attendees are jamming, the client is happy and we, the workers, are enjoying a little down time. The DJ was playing a Jay-Z song and I am in my element rocking along to the beat. For a brief moment life was bliss and I forgot where I was. I forgot who I was with. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a white co-worker tap another on the shoulder and point to me. The second co-worker begins to mock me by mimicking my hand gestures and dance moves in an exaggerated manner. She even pushed her lips out for full effect.

I had a choice. I could stop moving. I could show them I felt some type of way about their blatant disrespect and mockery. Or, I could keep moving, on beat. 

I might have to buy that shirt. #supportblackbusinesses

Author: Oshanda