In Job Hunt, College Degree Can’t Close Racial Gap

[HurricaneHeather]

I guess it's different in every job market. I work in HR and recently applied for a job in a different department. I thought I had a good shot, but found out that two black women have applied to the same job. I will probably not get that job because of my (lack of) skin color.

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by HurricaneHeather

I guess it's different in every job market. I work in HR and recently applied for a job in a different department. I thought I had a good shot, but found out that two black women have applied to the same job. I will probably not get that job because of my (lack of) skin color.

Wonder if the Supreme Court ruling on the Connecticut firefighter case comes into play...


Not surprising that your first assumption is going to be that they will get it because of skin color vs one of them might get because she is a better fit for the job

[HurricaneHeather]

Originally Posted by pauldun170

Wonder if the Supreme Court ruling on the Connecticut firefighter case comes into play...


Not surprising that your first assumption is going to be that they will get it because of skin color vs one of them might get because she is a better fit for the job

Yeah, I probably shouldn't assume that. I just see a pattern within my company that leads me to believe that my chances are slim.

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by HurricaneHeather

Yeah, I probably shouldn't assume that. I just see a pattern within my company that leads me to believe that my chances are slim.

I think another thing that makes it difficult for blacks is the general assumption that in the workplace...they got the job because they are black.

Person A: "We all know how HE got the job (wink wink)"
Person B: "He graduated from Cornell and has his Masters from NYU"
Person A: "We all know how HE got into those schools (wink wink)"


(Black guy approaches)
Person A: Hey how bout those Knicks!!
Black guy: Didn't catch it...heard it was a great game though. Everyone I bump into keeps bringing up basketball games. Well gotta go...have a meeting and all...
(black guy walks away)

Person A: He's nice guy. Totally different from the rest of them
Person B: Shouldn't you be working?

[HurricaneHeather]

Originally Posted by pauldun170

I think another thing that makes it difficult for blacks is the general assumption that in the workplace...they got the job because they are black.

Person A: "We all know how HE got the job (wink wink)"
Person B: "He graduated from Cornell and has his Masters from NYU"
Person A: "We all know how HE got into those schools (wink wink)"


(Black guy approaches)
Person A: Hey how bout those Knicks!!
Black guy: Didn't catch it...heard it was a great game though. Everyone I bump into keeps bringing up basketball games. Well gotta go...have a meeting and all...
(black guy walks away)

Person A: He's nice guy. Totally different from the rest of them
Person B: Shouldn't you be working?

Oh and one of the black women who have applied have had racial discrimination complaints againts the company. An HR company with racial discrimination complaints...they like to keep those under raps and a brand new shiny promotion usually makes people shut up for a while.

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by HurricaneHeather

Oh and one of the black women who have applied have had racial discrimination complaints againts the company. An HR company with racial discrimination complaints...they like to keep those under raps and a brand new shiny promotion usually makes people shut up for a while.

I'm not saying stuff like that doesn't happen, it just makes it tougher for those who just want to work while black.

[HurricaneHeather]

Originally Posted by pauldun170

I'm not saying stuff like that doesn't happen, it just makes it tougher for those who just want to work while black.

I know. I just feel like an ass for saying that now.

[goof2]

Originally Posted by pauldun170

I'm not saying stuff like that doesn't happen, it just makes it tougher for those who just want to work while black.

And that is where affirmative action comes off the tracks. It may actually foster attitudes that make it more difficult for black people to get the jobs they want.