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 BY THEARA WASHINGTON

I had a conversation with a young Black woman who started a new job with a large organization. She has been there three months and already she has been put in situations as a witness to harassment, and contemptuous behavior by a supervisor and manager.

She, having a sense of decency, spoke up for these colleagues and found herself placed on the peripheral. Subsequently, she has been marginalized from meetings and told to take instruction from an equal who is being groomed for promotion.

Her gut is telling her there is a culture of tolerating discrimination. A work environment that is too toxic for her to thrive in. Even though she likes the organization, she believes she may have to leave. She did express having the grit and gumption to stay and fight. She asked for my advice.

My response and guidance to her was something given to me when I found myself in a comparable situation...When someone tells you, moreover, shows you who they are believe them. 

If someone shows you that they are of a malevolent nature and prone to committing harmful, disrespectful, and selfish deeds, then you need to run heading for the hills. If you fail to, and do not take heed to what they are saying and showing you, then they will pull you down. So, break the ties and let go or be dragged.

I understand her wanting to fight against discrimination. I also want to fight. I explained to her the hard reality of the situation. Who and where would she get the needed resources to stay the course? She would have to fight an uphill battle against racism and sexism, as a new employee of a large organization, practically alone. It takes every bit of due diligence, time, and a myriad of support. 

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was mentioned as a solution. Unfortunately, it is NOT a viable one. Much is required to prove racism for an established worker let alone one only having three months. A trail of documentation such as emails, or anything written. A record of instances, and conversations proving racism or sexism. Collaborative coworker and first-hand account witnesses. And potentially acquiring her own attorney.

Sadly, it is just not worth the headache and heartache, especially with little financial, mental, or emotional support. It is deplorable that on top of the already challenging job that she is performing, that she must deal with race and sex issues especially in this day and age. I said to her,’ the best thing to do is to look for another job while you have one.’ 

She may not find an organization free of discrimination. Yet, she may find a place that will genuinely value her and what she has to offer. Hopefully, this new employer/organization will have developed a work culture that treats their employees with decency and respect.

Here's to Better Connections!

 BY THEARA WASHINGTON

(Since SCOTUS ended Affirmative Action June 2023, reports of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, DE&I programs being under attack can be found in the NY Associated Press, Washington Post and other News sources) 

Black History Month 2024 is wrapping up, there’s a report on the news. It’s about corporations looking to end their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) programs. The argument is that these programs give an unfair advantage to the workers it is established to support. One can infer that this ‘unfair advantage’ has representation in the hierarchy of management turned upside down. 

I authored a book about my experience as a MTA worker. Specifically speaking to the challenges in the work environment. Since I am of the mature Black, gay woman demography, I believed my lived experience to be unique. However workers of various demographics identified and related to my experience. With a couple of years into my retirement, retrospection provides true awareness. I must admit that my premise was faulty. I am not ashamed to admit that I was wrong. Let me explain.

While helping to establish Diversity and Inclusion  (D & I) groups at the MTA, I was approached by a colleague.  He happened to be a white middle-aged male. He told me in confidence that his male manager, who happens to be white, asked him why was he a part of the D & I program. He was told he did not have to align himself with these groups. And that the groups were not for people like him. Implying he would essentially be taken care of by the status quo. 

I believed and assisted in establishing Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE & I) in my organization. I believed the MTA would find that implementing these principles would have an authentic positive impact. I believed that as a result fairness, especially in areas of career advancement, would resonate in the workplace. Naïve of me to think. Having the programs in place was and is not enough. 

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The outlook of the workers, all levels of worker, need to be ready and willing for development. If workplace behavior is reluctant to embrace moral fairness then DE & I will fail. Sexist, ageist, racist and other harmful misconduct will continue as a standard way of operating. Talented marginalized groups will remain marginalized. 

In a perfect world there would be no need for DE & I. Unfortunately the world is not perfect. Social bias, discrimination and groups prejudging are forms of work environment misconduct that still exist.  These are the reasons prompting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in the first place.

DE&I programs are under attack and will continue to be. Its principles will not be embraced right away or even at all. Sadly the experiment of diversity, equity and inclusion fails when the participants are feasibly incapable of human decency. It is time for courageous, decent human beings to do what is just. The truth must be told to shame the evils of inequality and dismiss the false perception of all being well. 

Sadly the issues of race, age, gender, ability and other forms of unfairness in the workplace will continue to be endured. It is the workers, everyday people that requires support and guidance. Without backing and leadership Diversity Equity and Inclusion, DE & I is DOA.

(If you are wondering what became of my colleague, he quit the group and was later promoted just before I retired)

 Here's to better connections! 

By Theara Washington

How many disgraced politicians will it take before some semblance of reverence is restored to American politics. There has been no successful attempt made to correct the acts of despicable political corruption. Is corruption rife in American politics? 

Who suffers the most when there is corruption in United States government? The American people of course. The ‘We’ in ‘We the people,’ the first word of the Constitution suffers. We the people are adversely affected when our government official’s agenda and interests turns personal and are sold to the highest bidder. Through it all, ‘We’ are expected to keep the faith in the American process. News flash several polls show that confidence has been and is actually waning. 

  Let us look at examples of corruption affecting America: 

• Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas ‘making strange bedfellows’ with rich powerful people accepting lavish gifts. His questionable actions cast an erosive shadow on the judicial branch of the United States government.  The US Supreme Court overturning constitutional law, failing to represent the sentiment of the majority of the people. 

• George Santos newly elected Republican congressman who lied. He falsified his credentials to get the job and remains a congressman. He does not intend to step down and looks to run again. 

• Bob Menendez, Democrat and senator facing Federal charges abusing his political power, accepting bribes compromising his duty bound ethics. 

 Have these politicians allowed their title and position make them drunk and blind with power? 

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They forget they are public servants entrusted to perform a civic responsibility. If especially after these offenses being brought to light, then why have these political characters taken self-justifying positions of being embolden and allowed to remain. These characters have no intention of stepping down.

Is there no shame? Makes one wonder… Is the American political system in desperate need of repair? Or is corruption the new norm in American politics?

  If something is broken, not working as it is designed, then it must be fixed. Failing to fix something that is broken, and it continues to be used as is, can lead to a massive situation potentially beyond repair. The law as out lined in the constitution does not sanction abuse of power for personal gain by any one or anything. 

As United States citizens, our constitution,  grants and guarantees us civil rights and freedoms. It's our duty to hold political representatives and officials accountable. 

If politicians are corrupt then they are not representing the people. They are in positions of authority representing themselves and are most likely drunk and blind with power.  Corruption is not a good look.

 Here's to better connections! 

 Talking politics with a supervisor or manager who has opposing political views can be hazardous to your career.  

  Edited By Theara Washington

I have been in the workforce since the age of fourteen. I started as a receptionist at a local church. Having to answer phones, schedule baptisms, plan after school activities, tutor kids and assist serving meals to the hungry and homeless made good use of my many talents.

At a young age I gravitated toward being helpful in my community. My community would be considered one of the many underserved in the nation, Bronx, New York. I remember feeding stray animals, giving them the food from my mother’s refrigerator. I did not realize that I was poor. I would get in trouble for giving away the little food that we had.

Despite being a generational welfare recipient that lived in the projects, I had a desire to belong and fit into something greater. I moved to Denver Colorado in 1986 to pursue a better life for my son and me.  It seemed like the right move. I was off of public assistance and working as a supervisor at a local restaurant.

My friend who was attending a ‘welfare to work’ initiative, suggested that I seriously look into being a part of the program. However, that meant me getting back into the system in order to participate. I was skeptical because I had been out of the system for a couple of years and didn't want to feel like I was going backwards.

Ironically it was a way up for me. I applied for the food stamps and was accepted into the program. The welfare system implemented a work program that offered job training skills. I wanted better for my family. I attended the work training program. And I took learning seriously. 

The teacher was a bit overwhelmed teaching our group. I would find myself helping her keep the class in line. She was so appreciative that she made me her apprentice.  

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Perhaps she knew that she would be leaving us and saw that I could instruct the class and make a difference.

This was my career break. The next step for me was to interview for the job. I got myself a nice suit, a silk blouse, and made up my face for the very first time in my life. 

Although terrified I interviewed for the teaching position. I had never sat in front of, and was questioned by, so many people all at once. Needless to say my nerves kicked in. My make-up began to melt as I started to sweat profusely. 

Maintaining my cool through it all was what had to be done. Then one of the interviewers asked me, "you don’t have a degree do you!?" I answered, "I do have a degree…from the streets." I kept my composure and expressed having taught myself, and learned life skills that made me qualified to teach and train new workers from my community.

I got the job and found myself teaching for fifteen years for a community based not-for-profit in Colorado. During my many years of dedicated service, a black man was running for president. This became the topic of many conversations around the lunch table between me and other black co-workers.  Unfortunately for me, it was my last year working there. Obama was running for president. 

One day after finishing lunch and feeling quite confident that Obama would win the election, I was confronted by a supervisor. She stopped me to ask, "Are you voting for Obama because he's black?" Even though I was approached, I thought it was odd of her to ask. I felt the question was due a response. I answered, “Of course." I then asked, “isn’t that the same reason you're not voting for him?"  

She had no response. Her being in a position of power and having no reply left me feeling uneasy. 

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I later sent her an email letting her know how uncomfortable the conversation left me. I was then asked into the CEO's office to discuss this email. I believe from that moment on I was labeled the angry black woman. 

ANGRY!? It was from that moment, I noticed a shift in how I was treated. Retaliation for speaking my truth?!

I was being treated like my days were numbered. They were. I was ultimately let go in spring of 2010.  The reason I was given was, the nonprofit was downsizing. 

This meant they were getting rid of my position as the receptionist, instructor and trainer. Wearing all those hats you would think I had job security. I did not! I was not offered to stay in any other capacity. Truth be told they got rid of me as a result of biased conversation. Talking politics in the office with a person having a management title or in position of power, in my case, was hazardous to my career plain and simple.

‘The Connection’ Thanks and celebrates the courage of the teller of this, her-story.