Because of Outspoken Black Women

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For several weeks, I’ve been anxious about a job offer from a major company. In short, I’m worried that my online political activism — my digital footprint — may prevent me from getting final approval for the job. I don’t have the gladiator strength and physique of a Colin Kaepernick or the entrepreneurial fearlessness of an Elon Musk to say controversial things and still be rewarded with endorsements or inaction from its board of directors. The regular-degular Black professional is still expected to remain politically neutral if they want to get ahead.

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Whether it is in the voting booth, the picketing line, or the boardroom, I come from a legacy of brilliant, capable, talented, and politically-engaged Black women who expect to be fully embraced, no matter where they go because they lovingly embrace others.

Author and feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

But one of my biggest strengths is putting myself in someone else’s shoes; looking at power from another perspective. Imagine I am a hiring manager and a candidate was presented to me that looked good on paper: She did really well in the interviews, has a great portfolio, and an excellent approach to management. But sometimes posts things online that make me…uncomfortable. Not anything overtly discriminatory, but the candidate writes and shares ideas I personally disagree with.

More importantly, I would be concerned that, if hired, this kind of social media engagement may distract her from her job, and may not represent the company well. How do I have a conversation with that candidate where I stress the importance of freedom of speech, but that I am concerned about her capacity to represent the company?

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The regular-degular Black professional is still expected to remain politically neutral if they want to get ahead.

Sonia Sanchez portrait for Black Joy series . 02/13/2017 MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer / Philly Magazine

These are understandable concerns. To that I say, you are talking to me and I am here precisely because of outspoken Black women, not in spite of them.

Whether it is in the voting booth, the picketing line, or the boardroom, I come from a legacy of brilliant, capable, talented, and politically-engaged Black women who expect to be fully embraced, no matter where they go because they lovingly embrace others. They broke barriers and unfair standards just so we could be afforded the kind of diversity we aim to seek. They knew the difference between healthy discourse and personal attacks. They also fought for women like me that are open-minded, and willing to set aside personal politics to say and do what is fair. And ultimately stand in their own truths.

Activist and educator Angela Davis 

Diversity and inclusion require trust. If you want the diversity that you say you seek, then you have to trust that I will do my best to represent you and the kind of organization you want to see in the world.