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You state part of the evidence of their dislike is their reaction when you walk into a room in professional business attire. How do they know you are personally conservative in views or politics from that?
What makes you assume that black women who don't "fit the stereotype" are conservative?
And where do you live that a black woman in a professional work environment gets treated like an oddity for looking the part of a respectable professional? Certainly isn't that way where I live.
I travel a lot for work. I was just in the bay area. While there, I noticed quite a number of people took double looks...
I believe people can pick up on the fact that I'm rather conservative, based on my attire and overall mannerisms.
Last edited by sunshineleith; 10-23-2011 at 08:19 AM..
--It's mostly the negative & uncomfortable looks. I travel a great deal for work.
Many of these people seem so polite and nice on the telephone or via email, but when we meet in person, I get a lot of strange incredulous stares.
I get that (sort of), too, sometimes as I have a mixed race/ethnic background. I don't have an accent and even my name doesn't match my appearance. But after a few seconds it's back to business. I don't think it is a negative perception of you that they have. We (including me) all have an image in our heads of what a person on the phone must look like in person and when it doesn't match expectations there is a momentary reset. I think it is nothing.
[you might be on to something if they said, "I never would have imagined a black, professional woman and yet...here you are!!"]
I'm a young college educated (black American) professional woman.
I'm very observant, and I've noticed (for some odd reason), people tend to usually react in a negative fashion towards me. Perhaps it's because I make them uncomfortable. For the record, there is nothing inherently intimidating about my presence. I'm actually quite petite. I take a great deal of pride in my appearance, as well as my professional work.
I've been told that I look 10 to 13 years younger than my actual age. Most people would probably mistake me for an 18 year old (in appearance alone). Much of this is due to the fact that I have never drank any form of alcohol or used any illicit drugs. I absolutely abhor bars, clubs, and lounges. Also, I must admit that genetics plays a role as well. I have dark skin; therefore, I'm less prone to age. I've noticed that other women in their late 20's/ early 30's (particularly white women) often look closer to 40 something. I'm wondering if this plays any role in why I'm perceived so negatively?
When I show up at meetings in my professional suits and heels, people seem to always take a double look. It's almost as if they are uncomfortable with confronting the realization that black American women are not a monolithic group. I strongly dislike rap/hip hop because it promotes the most destructive images of black women around the world. Unfortunately, people who have never even encountered a black woman, will often believe that we are all about partying and sex. I take a great deal of pride in my overall appearance and I go out of my way to dispel the negative stereotypes that are often associated with black women. I tend to be very conservative (in the truest sense). I would never engage in any form of pre-marital sex!
I do however realize that we are all individuals; therefore, I never judge others. I'm simply wondering why people tend to judge me so harshly. It's very odd, but sometimes I get the feeling that people are uncomfortable because I do not fit the 'sassy/finger snapping/ghetto' stereotype.
It's very sad that conservative black women, such as myself are ostracized for having values and morals.
Old is never attractive. You see how that stings? You just can't come along smacking another ethnicity, amiga.
What's pretty and not pretty is decided by the men who chase the women
I only mentioned my youthful look, because I'm thinking this may play a role in the double takes. Perhaps people are simply curious as to how a 'young' black woman managed to get such a great job.
On another note, I'm far more focussed on my career. Dating/relationships are way at the bottom of my priorities at this point.
Assuming this is for real, perhaps the quoted plays a part. Are you irritatingly preachy?
No, I definitely do not preach, but I do go out of my way, not to play into the negative stereotypes.
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