I've been trained since I was a youngin' to speak to my elders. Usually, I acknowledge the folks around the building and neighborhood with a friendly, "How you doin' today?"
There's a sista on the cleaning staff that I've seen everyday since I've been here. And everyday, I nod my head and offer a simple, "How you doin' today?"
"Just fine young man," she usually responds.
I usually see her in the lobby, every morning reading the newspaper.
Last week, we walked pass each other on my floor and she stopped me.
"You work on this floor?" she asked.
"Yes ma'am."
Then she whispered, "You the first black person I've ever seen on this floor!"
A couple days later, I passed her in into the lobby while she was reading the paper, as usual. And she called me over.
"Are you the only black person that works there?"
"Yes ma'am," I replied.
"Are they racist?"
"Well they hired me," I replied.
"Umm-hmm," she replied, adding, "I don't know if I can work someplace like that. I like it when it's mixed up with everybody, ya know."
I do too.
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2 comments:
dude i love your blog, always refreshing and something i can relate to...
a recent project im workin on reminded me how much i wish my agency was more 'mixed up with everybody'. i feel the pain...
thanks dude. I've been advocating for a minority intern for the summer.
I think a redhead is the best we can do.
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