Being Black in the Work Place

They take my kindness for weakness.
They take my silence for speechless.
They consider my uniqueness strange.
They call my language slang.
They see my confidence as conceit. They
see my mistakes as defeat. They
consider my success accidental.
They minimize my intelligence to
"potential".
My questions mean, "I'm unaware".
My advancement is somehow unfair.
Any praise is preferential treatment.
To voice concern is Discontentment.
If I stand up for myself, I'm too
defensive.
If I don't trust them, I'm too
apprehensive.
I'm defiant if I separate. Yet, I'm fake if
I assimilate.
So, constantly I am faced with work
place hate.
My character is constantly under attack.
Pride for my race makes me, "TOO
BLACK".
Yet, I can only be me. And, who am I
you might ask?
I am that Strong Black Person... Who
stands on the backs of my ancestor’s?
Achievements, with an erect spine
pointing to the stars with pride,
Dignity and respect that lets the work
place in America know, that I not only
possess the ability to play by the rules,
but I can make them as Well!
Celebrate Black History 365 days a
year!!
P.S. Pass it on to your black co-workers.
Good, Better, Best, Never ever rest Until
YOUR Good is Better and YOUR Better is
Best!
-Anonymous author