Thursday, July 24, 2008

The Coporate Complexity....

Lately, I've been realizing how difficult it is for Blacks to assimilate into corporate America.
I had a pharmaceutical ride day (that's where your manager rides with you to observe your work) and my manager got in the care and asked me to turn to the old school rock station....
The interesting part is that is tottally acceptable but I wonder what would have happened if I turned on the new David Banner CD or Nas...

I wonder..

4 comments:

Ticia said...

Oh, you wonder - okay-
this is what would have happened -

Jeff, you are fired -
LOL -

He would have been mad uncomfortable - and would have judged you terribly in his mind - and told everyone about your negro behavior .....

Anonymous said...

That's why it's good when you like all types of music. I listen to everything, so that always earns me points when I like "their" music ;-)

Jeff Beckham Jr. said...

Yeah but I guess my issue is.. WHY DO WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO EVERY TYPE OF MUSIC? Do they? No .. it's okay for them to play Jimmy Buffett, or Green Day or Third Eye Blind who all use explicit lyrics in their music...

Grant said...

J. Beck! What's going on sir!?

They way I see it, (from the perspective of one who's been in the corp. world and business school) the major issue at hand in situations like this is not one of color or music, rather there is an issue of simple culture. That may seem painfully obvious but there's so much in simply dealing with differences in culture where one culture is [still] the dominant (and presumed best!) and another is still seen as less/deficient.

We built this land with our hands but white/caucasian culture built their ideas through, on top of, and under what it was we built so long ago. I, personally, do not see how many people (of all different colors/races/cultures) force themselves to fit in a system that was not built with them in mind. Jeff, you're right, it is difficult (but not impossible).

If one has the stamina for it then hey, make it work for you the best you can. Again, I gave it a try and, honestly, I could do the corp. world if I had to but, if there's another way to make a living and a difference at the same time (without having to deny my culture too much or be forced to make mine fit everyday), I'd rather take that path. Just my thoughts on it though...more to come soon at: http://mixnwell.blogspot.com/

Peace!!!