November 18th, 2006
Do successful blacks in corporate world sell out
I come across an article in black collegian online that discussed this topic. It reminded me of the time 4 young women asked me do women have to act and dress like men in order to be a success? At the time, I said no be yourself and the product manager level ladies pointed out to me, my staff which were at director level; and mostly women, acted and dressed like men. With no intention of steering the pot, I told my staff what was said. I THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE INSULTED, but they were not and agreed they dressed and acted like men or they would not be successful.
Back to black collegian, the students want to know are blacks in corporate America sell outs? I spent most of my career there and many people feel as blacks in corporate America, you have to sell out. Most, not all, infact do sell out. I worked for a company where many of the blacks would not speak to another black person, and would be insulted if another black was their boss, remember the whiteman’s ice is colder. The world of the corporate black is a very confusing world in which the divide and conquer strategy of white salves masters during the 1800’s still works well. I know successful black managers, who biggest claim to fame is to sing and dance for audiences of several hundred, in order to put smiles on white faces. I know of another successful black manager, who was a large man, over 300 lbs and wore a genie outfit with green face paint and tights, in order to put a smile on white faces, and even played santa claus for the white folks. I understand what the black collegians fear, but you can win and still be yourself. Please see the link below for more on this important subject.
http://www.black-collegian.com/issues/1998-06/identity.shtml
November 26th, 2006 at 7:01 pm
So what is selling out? I’m not sure how one would define it.
People come to this country and do “whatever it takes” to make a better life for the next generation. Is ‘doing whatever it takes to provide more opportunity for your children a crime?
It’s the question right? Who am I responsible for? the Christians say “God, Family, Country” in that order. I don’t know about the God part and sure don’t want to get into that debate. But who should I be the most concerned about? My Community, my personal pride or the future of my children?
November 27th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
This is heavy stuff and one where more opinion is needed,In this case my take is selling out is becomming white in black skin.It is the same deal for our kids acting white by trying to get good grades. I spent many years in corporate business and feel most blacks do in fact sell out.The eye on the prize is in fact for a better life. It can be accomplished and still maintain your racial pride.
December 5th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
I am retired now, but at one time I was a Corporate Recruiting Consultant covering 50 States for a company. I remember hiring a black female for a sales position out of Baltimore, MD. The young lady did well in sales and was promoted to D.M. I remember running into her years later when she attended her first managers meeting and she turned her head and never spoke to me. She went after the only black male in her district and tried to get him fired. She never would associate with blacks within the company after her promotion. Finally she slipped up one day and the first person she called for help was yours truly. Did I help her. Yes I did. I helped her get demoted to a sales position and recruited a young black female that also moved up the ranks quickly into management but never forgot those that helped her along the way. One sold out because she was lacking management skills. The other one excelled because she refused to play the sell out game. As a matter of fact, she took a District that had one black male and one white female, and turned it into a district that with four white females, 4 black females, andonly one white male. The company didn’t like it, but the district was a winner so they had to embrace the winners.
December 7th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Glenn, Your experience is similar to my own. I was one of the better sales managers in the history of my division. A black product manager told me, his white mentors, had talked to him about being on my mangement staff. this was at a time when i had an elite team and many people wanted to work for me.This black product manager told me, he should not have to work for another black person in order to be a manger. Some how the job would not be as important if he could not work for a white manager.I was also fortunate to have many people of color support me and help make me a success and to them I am grateful.
December 8th, 2006 at 5:02 am
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August 7th, 2007 at 12:34 am
What’s really sad is that a large percentage of us(Blacks) think that, those of us who are in corporate America advance on the job because we sell out. It hasn’t dawned to these same individuals that I advance on the job because I work hard to be the best at what I do.
I gave a presentation to my entire office of over 400 people for the 1st time about 2 weeks ago. About a week later, one of our I.T. guys came up to me and said,”your presentation was good but it wasn’t ghetto enough for me”.
The only other black male working for the company called me a sellout. Unfortunately,some of us just can’t win.