What happens when you decide NOT to be the Angry Black Woman?
This one is for my sistahs!
If you are working at a 9-5, think about your office dynamic. When something pops off everyone looks at you to react. Especially if you are the only brown face in the office. Let’s see how the “black girl” is going to respond…
I can remember when I was the only black in the office, and I can also remember situations when the brown faces were the majority. It doesn’t take away from the fact that EVERYONE expects for us to lose our cool when placed in certain situations.
When I know I am on the brink of no return with my attitude I hear my father’s voice very clearly. As if he’s sitting on my shoulder with wings wearing his work uniform (displaying his name) and glasses. “Hey, now what did I tell you, never…let…em…see…you…sweat!”
Ah yes dad, you did tell me that.
I was cleaning up my office area over the weekend and came across this folder.
I read the contents of the folder.
I thought to myself, “WHY DO I STILL HAVE MY TERMINATION LETTER FROM 2015?”
Simple. I wanted to keep the letter that jump started this amazing journey of being transparent. I completed a children’s book two weeks after receiving the letter. No lie…
That letter is the reason my story is published in HuffPost, Business Insider, CNBC to name a few.
When I received this letter I was excited. It spooked my former boss out. How could I be so calm when my life seemed to be heading for “Shambles Street?”
Honestly, I was planning my exit strategy to submit a letter by August 31, 2015. My God said Nope…that’s not MY PLAN. I’m going to release you in July, and you will receive unemployment.
What would flipping out in that office do for me? Besides being escorted from the premises in hand cuffs. I wouldn’t have achieved anything that day by acting ugly. I knew in the end that I was winning. I was miserable, and they were doing me a huge favor.
Ladies. I’m convinced that some things are done intentionally to get a rise out of us. It’s our choice of how we respond to the nonsense. I am quite proud of my performance that day. It taught me so much about myself, and how God uses people/situations to get you to where you are supposed to be. I’m #SteeleThankful for that entire experience. I have so much material for a One-Woman show, and who knows I may headline at the same venue that laid me off one day. Anything is possible.
Never…Let…Em…See…You…Sweat!
That quote from my dad still works.
XOXO,
RJ
