#DiversityInWorkplace #InclusionMatters #NavigatingIsolation
Hey everyone! 👋 I wanted to open up a discussion about being one of the only black people at my job. I currently work at a summer camp that is predominantly white, and it has been a challenging experience. I’ve been feeling isolated, my mental health has been affected, and it’s been tough dealing with inappropriate behavior from coworkers and being ignored by my boss.
Have any of you been in a similar situation? How did you cope and get through it? Here are a few possible solutions that might help:
– Seek support from friends or family outside of work
– Connect with other black professionals through networking events or online communities
– Consider talking to a therapist or counselor for support
– Have a conversation with HR or higher-ups about your experiences and concerns
I would love to hear your thoughts and advice on navigating this type of situation. Let’s support each other and share our experiences! 💬 #SupportEachOther #UnityInDiversity #StrengthInNumbers
White dude sounds terrible. I hate shit like that (happens to is for different reasons though).
Closest I came to it was being one of a few white guys in a platoon or with Polynesians. They were really good though so can’t really compare. They kinda adopt you if you’re not a dickhead.
Bit different here in work events after hours everyone’s invited.
Have experienced it in game lobby as a non American.
If being around people of a different race to you affects your mental health, I’m afraid it’s a you problem and you need to consider why you feel that way.
Alternatively, find a different job. Although that feels like running away from the problem.
Honestly, I just find other jobs 🤷♀️ I’ve been the “only” in multiple positions and what I’ve learned is that they don’t care about you simply because of your skin tone and will never acknowledge your concerns because of your skin tone. You will always be considered “an outsider” and those who are your superiors will never take your complaints seriously because you’re not one of them and they don’t take care of outsiders 🤷♀️ You can attempt to report complaints to the EEOC or department of labor but I doubt it will get you anywhere because they have friends that work at both and your complaints will just get tossed out 🤷♀️ GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check your contract. Many summer camps have stipulations about quitting since it is such a short-term job, and they have issues hiring mid summer.
Hate to say it but you might be stuck.
You said the camp is predominantly white, so there are some poc there right? Seek out the poc kids. If you feel isolated, imagine how they feel. I’m sure you being there for them will make a world of difference
It won’t help with your job, but here is a thread you might be able to relate to
https://x.com/_CharlesPreston/status/1812152474213519438?t=PNC4Qe_aQuiYeXFD0WsNrg&s=19
I don’t understand why you can’t leave? Are the gates guarded by wild aggressive animals? Just quit.
Have you tried talking? In person? What were the comments regarding your hair?
Is the problem really related to race or lack of communication gives you that thought?
I’m sorry you have to go through this bullshit.
Trust your gut and take care of yourself. Always. While you may have to tolerate some things, what and for how long is up to you.
You show people who you are and how you will be treated. You owe NOTHING to any employer.
It is not going to get any better. I worked in corporate America for more than 25 years.
You are an alien to them. But they are not afraid of you (although they will say they don’t feel safe).
You are selling a little of yourself everyday. Just make sure you are not selling yourself short. Ask yourself, why you are there. Keep that front and center.
The most hurtful part is when people tell you your boundaries are wrong. Don’t forget the truth.
I am now retired and only spend time with people I respect. It is not about color, but culture and character.
I’m so sorry you had to experience this. It is unacceptable on all levels and those people are shitty assholes. Fuck racists.
You can absolutely quit/walk away now to protect yourself!
Summer jobs almost never end up on your resume (at least not after college) and if you aren’t worried about anyone at the camp having a connection to other school or job opportunities (like if the head counselor is your program head’s sister or whatever) then take a page out of your coworkers’ books and ignore their attempts to contact you.
Seriously, calling it quits is a skill you will need later in life. Sometimes it is the right thing to stick it out in a tough situation, but when the stakes are this low, you don’t need to put yourself through such an ordeal! Start recovering and refocusing on your future, and thinking about how to screen out jobs that are a bad fit. Not all jobs where you are the only black person will be like this, but you’ll get better at figuring out which ones are tolerable and which ones are gigantic racist cesspools with time, experience, and others’ advice.
I’m really sorry this is happening to you, but you’re certainly not alone, and before you know it this will just be a vague memory of a shitty job you briefly had.
I’m the loner so never noticed.
Just remember, you might feel crazy but you aren’t crazy, especially for feeling this way. They’re the ignorant fools making you feel less than.
I am so relieved that these comments passed the vibe check. I’m gonna stop scrolling now while I’m still feeling optimistic.
There’s really no answer to this. The black community does their own thing. If you wanted race relief go to them. This their camp, they’re children they’re raising not your family tree.
I’m classified as white really M not and am outcast from those men also. I learned to live in isolation and curse usa my family Europe the squirrel outside anyone I noticed I curse
I’ve been living this experience since the 2nd grade. I’m now 40 years old.
I learned to be comfortable with myself. I learned to trust my feelings, to examine them, define and refine them. This process never stops.
Some people are nasty because they were mistreated but most are nasty out of ignorance (not in the pejorative sense of the word).
Just do the best that you can to do your work, be polite, civil, tolerant, and generally respectful.
But don’t let people walk all over you. Choose your battles or moments of education wisely.
If you feel your mental, physical, spiritual, and psychological health is at stake, then resign and find some place else to work.
Knowing when to stay is just as important as knowing when to leave.
Just don’t let the trauma, PTSD, and emotional damage fuel your anger nor let it inspire hatred.
These folks are less fortunate than you because they can’t realize their full potential as mature human beings.
It may take a while to find an employer you can tolerate or even like.