White Folks

[87wayz]

I start an orientation for a second job tomorrow, its gonna be all white folks. I'm used to working my main job where its mostly Black and blue collar, this one is all white and academic. Nervous as ****.

I'm not on some Urkel **** either, I'm a big black guy. I bought some casual/business clothes and even got some glasses (which I need, but not life or death) just to tone myself down and look less imposing.

Its ridiculous to think like this. Can any minorities relate? Or can any White people add anything here?

[Luctor]

What kind of job is it? If people are going to judge you because you're a big black guy then quite honestly screw them.

[87wayz]

I think I'm just paranoid. Its a teaching assistant gig that pays for my graduate degree up until a doctorate, while also paying me. I need to do well the first year to renew the rest. Gotta shake a lot of hands and smile tomorrow... usually I implement liquor in these scenarios but I don't want them to smell it and attribute it to a stereotype rather than the reason I'm on this forum

[Luctor]

Are you on any meds to help manage your SA? And definitely don't drink. Rather own your social awkwardness. I know it's easier said than done, but seriously, the most important lesson in life is **** the people who make snap judgements before getting to know you.

And remind yourself of who you are. A big smart black guy getting an education, to improve his life. And in the provess helping out as a teacher's assistant? Dude that's commendable. People will see that. And the ones that don't, well, **** 'em.

What are you studying?

[kehcorpz]

Racist people are usually of low intellect, so it's like dealing with little kids. Ignore them if they are, otherwise if you're going to a place with adults, expect them to actually be adults.

[Socialanxiety11]

I'm white and f*ck them. Just have confidence and try to do your job well.

[87wayz]

Originally Posted by Luctor

Are you on any meds to help manage your SA? And definitely don't drink. Rather own your social awkwardness. I know it's easier said than done, but seriously, the most important lesson in life is **** the people who make snap judgements before getting to know you.

And remind yourself of who you are. A big smart black guy getting an education, to improve his life. And in the provess helping out as a teacher's assistant? Dude that's commendable. People will see that. And the ones that don't, well, **** 'em.

What are you studying?

Here's the real killer: I'm getting a doctorate in English with a concentration in media studies. Basically, I'm a theoretically inflated movie critic who's read a lot of books.

I know how to act in a stereotypical way because I come from the hood, but I grew up an only child in a household where I had to read NONSTOP. So I didn't choose to be talented as an essayist and critical thinker, my mental abilities were just pushed in that direction.

I hate admitting I'm a black english major in a du rag and timberlands, but **** it.

Thanks for the advice bro. The uni I go to is pretty liberal so they probably love having somebody with my story in there, I just feel more awkward bc I'm not used to the environment. My SA comes from unfamiliar places and situations

[Luctor]

Originally Posted by 87wayz

Here's the real killer: I'm getting a doctorate in English with a concentration in media studies. Basically, I'm a theoretically inflated movie critic who's read a lot of books.

Jeez dude, who cares what you look like when you could give most people an intellectual beat down. Just as long as you keep the beat downs intellectual

All the best bro. Keep us updated on how it goes.

[87wayz]

Thanks again, its just a matter of pushing through and being confident. I'm at my other piece of crap job now, but the good advice has helped me stop brooding over tomorrow so much

[Black And Mild]

Don't tone down anything. Just go in there and do what you gotta do. Besides the basic protocol of speaking properly and dressing the part for the job, just be you.

I'm pretty sure you had to do an interview for this sh*t...How did you act when you did that? Did you act fake then, or nah?

[87wayz]

Originally Posted by Black And Mild

Don't tone down anything. Just go in there and do what you gotta do. Besides the basic protocol of speaking properly and dressing the part for the job, just be you.

I'm pretty sure you had to do an interview for this sh*t...How did you act when you did that? Did you act fake then, or nah?

Nope, no interview, just a graduate app and reccomendations from a few of my professors. They kind of just gave me the ****, which makes me feel worse. I gotta prove myself: I was A- in undergrad and I didn't network cuz I'm always at work. Most of them don't know me but they like my essays and **** like that.

Its complicated, because I'm gonna keep my day job but I'm going on midnights. I gotta tutor 12 hours a week, do 40 on mid, and take 2 classes while going to meetings and building with them. This is where I either man up and beat my SA or fall off and get stuck in this dead end job fixing **** and cuttin grass, smoking newports in the back of a pickup and callin people youngblood

[Black And Mild]

Ahh yeah, that does make the situation a little more complicated. I think you'll do good though brah. I guess, just use your own judgement really. Just based off of the way you type, I'm pretty sure you do good at putting up a front. So if worse comes to worse, aye ...Yo first is name Steve lol

Originally Posted by 87wayz

, smoking newports in the back of a pickup and callin people youngblood

[Osito]

Originally Posted by Luctor

What kind of job is it? If people are going to judge you because you're a big black guy then quite honestly screw them.

^This

[visualkeirockstar]

I kinda has a similar to that but the guys were cool and half of them either left or got fired.

[SomebodyWakeME]

You're probably the only there who is going to care that you're a black guy. Do you honestly think that people are going to be thinking "Oh god, it's a black man!"?

[ohm]

I honestly think white people are less likely to be openly discriminatory towards a black person nowadays because being racist isn't cool, it's just really not.

I am "of color" but I recently realized that I am literally the only person that lives on my block who is not completely black. Having been raised in a predominately white area, entirely by my white side, it's hard for me to relax around people who are black, or at least aren't mixed, because I know how much dislike there is for people like me in the black community. When I walk down my block, my neighbors all stare at me, but it could be for a number reasons, un-race-related: they think I'm attractive, they think I'm ugly, they think I'm fat, they are just curious about the new girl. I say all that to just let you know that a lot of the times that we think we are being racially discriminated against, it's honestly in our head. I don't mean to illegitimize real racial discrimination, though, just don't jump to conclusions unless someone flat out does something obviously racially fueled.

[DS29790bb]

I don't think you need to worry about being black. Racism these days has really calmed down, at least in the personal sense. What I mean by that is that most people truly don't care about skin color anymore. Sure, there's a few, but racism has really cooled down.

Now there's plenty of institutional racism around still, but that's another story. You'll be fine if you are polite and do your job correctly.

[HeavyweightSoul]

Originally Posted by 87wayz

I think I'm just paranoid. Its a teaching assistant gig that pays for my graduate degree up until a doctorate, while also paying me. I need to do well the first year to renew the rest. Gotta shake a lot of hands and smile tomorrow... usually I implement liquor in these scenarios but I don't want them to smell it and attribute it to a stereotype rather than the reason I'm on this forum

"you black people and your hennessy bottles" lol Listen just relax no one cares if you're black be cool at the interview

[jonny neurotic]

Originally Posted by 87wayz

Here's the real killer: I'm getting a doctorate in English with a concentration in media studies. Basically, I'm a theoretically inflated movie critic who's read a lot of books.

I hate admitting I'm a black english major in a du rag and timberlands, but **** it.

Seriously, the first move is to say, inside your head, F you, to the people in front of whom you feel uncomfortable admitting you have your smarts in order. Be content having a foot in both worlds and respect yourself...

[theJdogg]

Originally Posted by 87wayz

Nope, no interview, just a graduate app and reccomendations from a few of my professors. They kind of just gave me the ****, which makes me feel worse. I gotta prove myself: I was A- in undergrad and I didn't network cuz I'm always at work. Most of them don't know me but they like my essays and **** like that.

Its complicated, because I'm gonna keep my day job but I'm going on midnights. I gotta tutor 12 hours a week, do 40 on mid, and take 2 classes while going to meetings and building with them. This is where I either man up and beat my SA or fall off and get stuck in this dead end job fixing **** and cuttin grass, smoking newports in the back of a pickup and callin people youngblood

Remember to take some time for you. It's very difficult to be that busy in grad school. I tried a schedule similar to yours and dropped out out after a year. I'm not saying it will happen to you because most of my problem was my SA, but the demands didn't help. Please, be mindful. Student loans aren't the worst thing in the world. I don't know a thing about the hood, but it seems there would be some good scholarships and grants for people who grew up there and attend grad school.

Good luck! I'm routing for you