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I am a highly educated, kind, smart, generally happy-go-lucky black women (early 30s) living in Chicago and feeling disheartened by the corporate work environments I've experienced up to now. I am in the process of a career shift (doesn't matter where from or to...I am speaking generally bc I'd rather not have direct input into my personal decision...just a general question instead). I'd like to know what fields/work environments and also what cities offer a space where black women feel most at peace? Where micro aggressions are few and far between. Where you are treated with dignity and respect if you give the same. Where being pretty in addition to being a woman in addition to being a woman of color is not counted against you. Where your expertise/experience/creative ideas are valued.
I'd love to hear from a wide range of career paths and cities. From media to medicine to whatever...
I doubt that there is anyplace where you can escape the day-to-day BS altogether, or any vocation where it doesn't exist. But I would take a guess, from the professional women that I know, that the DC area would be a good location to consider, if for no other reason than the regionally strong job market, solid middle-class black communities, and generally liberal attitudes of the region.
And from other folks I know, I'd say that working in higher education can sometimes offer a few more psychic benefits to women of color, depending of course on the particular school. Colleges tend to be places where people are actually conscious of race, class, and gender. While that can be a double-edged sword sometimes, it's still a lot easier than working at a corporate law firm or on a factory floor.
New York is a world unto itself. It can just be hard on everybody!
Can you clarify: Are you ok with being in an area that has very few other Black people? Because with regard to your choices, Los Angeles and Hawaii have few, whereas New York and Chicago have many.
I agree with some other posters that DC might be your best bet.
From my experience, which is little, Chicago has a very rude and aggressive culture. I wasn't a fan at all. I don't think I could ever live there. All the other cities would probably be better. But then again I'm a white guy, so I haven't shared your experiences. Good luck!
I'm not knocking the cities on your poll but I think the cities seem like they're hostile/competitive environment for a black woman in my opinion . Come on down south, we're everyone cool, calm, and collective and enjoy mild winters and hot summers. Atlanta metro area is the popular spot for successful black women.
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