This past week has provided clarity in several ways. And there are plenty articles, op-eds, and think pieces about every aspect of why Kamala lost the race. But as I watched her lose, I couldn’t help to think about how she felt. Would she still want to be in politics after this? Will she second-guess her abilities and skills as a leader? I have asked myself similar questions concerning my career, especially in times where I have worked so hard just to be acknowledged. I saw posts commenting about how Kamala’s loss is reminiscent of how qualified Black women are constantly being overlooked for job positions. This year I personally have applied to countless job postings, so I immediately identified with the sentiment of being disregarded. Yet I know we have made so much progress as Black women, and we all know it takes constant work and dedication to continue that progress. However, it seems that we still have to work 10 times harder than our counterparts just to be seen as equals.
These are just some of the obstacles we as Black women have to face when trying to make any type of progress within our career:
- Education is not weighed equally
This is a constant theme for Black women, we can have all the degrees and education, but other people will overlook those accomplishments so that they can stay in their bias beliefs. Kamala graduated from Howard University where she studied political science and economics, she also has a law degree from the University of California. However, several decided her education was not enough to consider her as the best candidate.
2. Experience is not valued if it doesn’t fit biased expectations
Black women could also have multiple roles and responsibilities that align with the desired profession but because they are not presented within a “recognizable” career path or don’t fall within an algorithm that is based on prejudiced ideals on what a candidate should look like, they are disregarded as still not being good enough. For example, when Kamala’s experience as a district attorney was brought up, it was only for it to be scrutinized and dissected with the intent to find flaws to further the idea that she wasn’t the right fit for the job.
3. The clear racial disparities
The implicit bias is immediate as soon as they see our names listed on an application. Specifically, for myself, mistreatment and racist rhetoric are constantly brought to my attention in the form of a question about my Blackness. I’m mixed like Kamala, and I too come from parents where neither are White but because we are mixed our Blackness is still questioned. However, the question of how Black someone is does not spare them from racial disparities. Every habit or bit of personality we possess is used to weigh how Black we truly are. Because of this we are able to learn very early on that racial inequities feed off of stereotypes. And even though we may only have one Black parent, prejudiced individuals couldn’t care less, especially when neither parent is White.
4. Judgements based on misogynistic views
The color of our skin only accounts for half of the constant criticism, being a woman takes the other half. Our emotional capacity is judged on multiple levels and then used against us, never utilized as a positive or to show the capability we possess as a leader. As women, we have to tread the line of proving our abilities of being decisive, smart and confident, while not stepping on anyone’s toes especially a man’s. We have to be mindful of fragile egos that belong to both men and women while simultaneously appeasing to what men as well as women find desirable in a female employee. And even when able to appease to both, it usually is at the risk of being put into a box that is impossible to escape and hinders any type of career progression.
5. Commitment and dedication are used to cross boundaries
Even when considering all the beforementioned, we understand that it is still important to try and be in those spaces. We also understand existing in that space is how we can make a real impact. Because, when a Black woman is able to accomplish the impossible, she automatically creates a path for every woman, no matter their color, to also be welcomed into those spaces. However, some employers take advantage of our commitment, loyalty and dedication by pushing our boundaries, knowing the need of the job can outweigh the mistreatment. In certain instances, the responsibility to take care of the household defaults to us, as well as the financial responsibility if any of us fall short of the average socio-economic status or don’t have help from a partner. Eventually, the toll of having to be everything to everyone causes constant stress, and results in our mental well-being as well as our physical becoming not as high as a priority. Yet our focus remains on helping our loved ones and because we have to keep a job, our focus is also on our co-workers, managers, and the company we work for.
So, when you hear Black women say they are tired, it’s because time after time they give so much just to get little to nothing in return. All anyone really wants is the opportunity to thrive and be successful, but recent times have shown us that not everyone wishes to share those opportunities. All the while, our consistent hard work and dedication is giving everyone else what we as Black women so desperately need, peace of mind that everything is going to be ok.
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