It's a false narrative that professionals of color can counter bias at work because by simply wearing a suit or avoiding casual Fridays. To suggest so egregiously implies that people of color can somehow combat or reduce the systemic racism they often face by simply showing up to work. Instead of the NYTs exploring how professionals of color can counter bias at work (which by the way is laughable), I suggest that the NYTs write a ten step guide for professionals not of color for how they can check their bias at the door when they arrive to work.
5
Wonder, why are whites excluded from the people of color, when white is also a color?
9
I am a neurologist. I am also an African-American man.
People aren’t judging color, as much as they are evaluating attitude. They see someone behaving authoritatively with comfort & confidence; then they assume that person is the authority.
I don’t wear a white coat. I don’t have business cards on me, as much as I should, but this issue is a non-issue, in my life.
I suggest it’s more effective to go ahead and project the authority that comes with what you are and people can more easily see “who you are,” even if they can’t see your identification (and even if you’re not wearing ID). I would completely discourage cowering to peoples ignorance.
Everyday, and all day, I walk into peoples hospital rooms and say “Hi, I’m Dr. Hubbard from the neurology department - your doctors have asked me to see you. What was the main issue that made you come in?”
Also, if I go shopping for a car or other large ticket item, where it’s advantageous for me NOT to appear as having resources, it doesn’t matter. The question comes “So, what are you? Doctor? Lawyer?”
If we are uncertain and insecure, it doesn’t serve the people whom we are trained to serve, it only feeds their insecurity; that’s why this can be self-perpetuating.
I’m sharing, because it’s good news.
32
As long as there is affirmative action, there will be bias. People will always wonder if a person of color (or woman) got the job because she was the most qualified applicant or because she enabled the organization to reach its diversity goals. Sadly, many under-qualified people get jobs merely because they were born with the "right" skin color or gender. If you build racial and sexual discrimination into the system, as proponents of affirmative action have done, that will lead to bias within the organization. It's inevitable.
11
As long as there is prejudice and racism, there will be people who try to deflect their bias and racial assumptions by claiming its caused by affirmative actions and not their own ignorance. There wouldn't be a need for affirmative action and outreach programs if "people" weren't racist.
40
@SSG Under-qualified people do indeed get jobs merely because they were born with the "right" skin color or gender. If you doubt the credentials and qualifications of the professional woman/of color in front of you, are you applying these same thoughts to others? Affirmative action exists indeed -- but its most common beneficiaries are white males. Jared Kushner is the perfect poster child for it.
42
I am a professor at a small college where I have many colleagues of color. They ALL dress very professionally, while many of my white colleagues feel free to show up for class in any old thing - not too clean track suits or sweat shirts for example. I have always understood why this disparity exists and it makes me sad. Personally, though white, I wouldn't dream of showing up for class in anything but a 3 piece suit - but I am in the minority of whites there. However, to do less would, I think, be an expression of white privilege and a subtle statement that "I am more free than you are." I won't do that to colleagues I respect and cherish.
32
Shine your light. Shine it again. Keep on shining until those who need a wake-up call are educated. You are first, and you will not be last. So, we need you. Now more than ever. Just keep shining your light!
16
I'm disappointed this article does not include interviews from Asian Americans. In my experience, Asian doctors are often mistaken for nurses.
17
Privilege is not having to expend energy that could go to your work on all of the nonsense these professionals have to manage. We have so far to go in society.
20
This is terrible, but I note that having done business extensively in other countries, the US is actually far ahead of Germany and many other countries regarding both race and gender. That is not an excuse for US racism (fanned by Trump), but an indictment of other countries.
4
When I was in Physical Therapy a couple years ago there was only one African-American therapist in the large practice. Everybody else just wore their regular street clothes. But he wore a white medical smock. It was obvious why.
15
As an Asian American female in economic development, this is all too familiar. Surprisingly though, at times, my white colleagues tell me how they recognize their privilege... including the different treatment we recieve in professional settings. It can also be quite depressing when I experience fellow hyphenated Americans devaluing my contribution and presence. I am a millenial and my hope is that with all these open conversations on race today, future generations don’t need this type of psa to raise awareness and make a case for how race and identity play a role in how people are differently treated in our society.
40
So nothing has changed. I was a foundation official in 90s, Armani suits and all. Hotel check-in, flying first class, driving home in my own neighborhood at night.. Always remembered what Malcolm X said!
2
I am a female scientist in my 60s, short of stature, but with a long and respectable resume. I can relate to these stories, since students always defer to a male faculty member if one is present, and I always feel a need to make known my credentials, if even in some roundabout way. I applaud all these professionals, each of whom is a pioneer in her or his own way. I am heartened when I remember that when I was an undergrad in the 70s, I had no female science professors. The world is slowly changing, and we can still hope.
32
I belong to a minority, but I usually pass as a white male, I'm acutely aware of slights, bias, bigotry & outright racism faced by people of color every day.
I've been subjected to suspicion & scorn by white people when my identity is clearly revealed, even by people who know me for some time. I've witnessed negative remarks based on long held stereotypes against many minorities, especially when none are around to hear.
Every slight, off-color & negative remark are signs of deeply held prejudices & racism. They are just not as overt as outright blatant negative treatment bestowed on persons of color all the time.
I work two jobs. My part-time job is with a Big Box store where I'm a sales associate. Many times white customers interrupt me while I'm helping non-white customers as though they are invisible. When I say I'll be glad to help them once I finish with the customer I'm with, the usual reaction is as though I slapped them across their faces. So be it.
I also see other associates avoid helping minorities, passing them up for white customers.
I help all customers regardless of race, ethnic background or other defining trait, but I make sure the customers who are usually ignored aren't by me. In return these customers are usually surprised & grateful to be treated with respect.
I'm not perfect & I'm not looking for recognition. I wish to point out how pervasive racism is & the many forms it takes.
No one should have to make white people comfortable to be treated fairly.
56
I am a white female law student and this semester, I have been shadowing a black female attorney in court. Time and time again, police, court employees and opposing counsel have assumed that I am the lawyer in charge, walking right up to talk to me about the case as if she isn't standing right there. This happens consistently, even though I look very young and don't always wear a full suit (which the actual attorney always wears). I am always assumed to be "the lawyer."
Racism is certainly alive in American society, but until we as a society acknowledge that racism isn't always explicit, these assumptions and problems will not be solved.
79
Why is this news? It is not as if these negative biases were some recent societal change. One evening in the elevator of a major investment bank, a co-worker asked what was in my saxophone case (I was talking lessons after work). I curtly said. "A machine gun. I am going to go postal if I'm treated like a mailboy one more time." One person frantically left as soon as the door opened. After the doors closed and some awkward looks were shared with the other passengers. I said. "I guess he thought I was a mailboy." Insecurity and inadequacy are often the root cause of these issues for some. Meghan, a Williams legacy, may know she would have never been accepted if it were not for her ancestry cannot comprehend the difficulties minorities face as they would be fatal impediments for her or her peers. Prior to EEO, most minorities could only excel in non subjective vocations like sports and entertainment. Now we are continually questioned on our ability, intelligence, legitimacy, morality, ethics and any other metric to justify the belief we don't rightfully belong behind a desk, or in a lab coat or in any non subservient position.
9
Did Mr. Ray keep the cars? I think that's a legally defensible gift, handing your keys to someone.
17
I have a neutral, not overly ethnic sounding name. I live in Europe. I know that people with a distinctly ethnic or Muslim name have a harder time in the job market, but as someone whose name doesn’t match my looks I’ve had the opposite problem. Employers are enthusiastic when they call me, only to turn cold and ashen-faced when they meet me and suddenly realize I am the person they called. To pre-empt this, I’ve now resorted to pasting my photo on my resume (a common practice in many European countries anyway). I’m conflicted about the photo – and it has resulted in fewer callbacks – but at least I’m not subjected to that uncomfortable, overly obvious look of realization at interviews, and the subsequent crazymaking doubts about why a cordial professional beginning suddenly went silent. People in Europe frequently conflate ethnicity with nationality and language, and I’ve had to counter implicit biases of who can be considered an English speaker as well.
25
A late 20's physician in residency complained that instead of asking her to answer questions ( her job) patients asked others in the room. It wasn't my place to point it out but she, a Caucasian woman, dressed like a college student and wore a pony tail and no make up. This shouldn't matter at all but she just didn't inspire confidence by not looking like a 'grown up".Not so bad as racial prejudice for sure, but once again, fair or not, how you come across to others can effect your credibility.
5
Big difference between coming across as “young” due to clothing. She can change it. The individuals in theses stories cannot change their race or color. How they come across is what they are.
14
This article has nothing to do with professional look. These people are dressed professionally as mentioned in the article. It is that their skin tone is what is considered unprofessional. Get it?
13
My wife, an unmistakably dark-skinned Latina, gets: followed around stores by suspicious clerks, sent to secondary inspections by the TSA, ignored by clerks at gas station convenience stores in red states, and asks if she’s the housekeeper when she answers a knock at our front door.
In fact, she’s a university English professor who won an American Book Award for poetry about 15 years ago.
We understand how things actually work in this country, but we also understand how they should work.
38
The part in the article where the guard says, "you don't look like a legislator" to Ms. Sykes, then, in an attempt to cover up his racism, says it's because she looked "too young"--I gasped when I read it because that has happened to me so. many. times. I'm an Asian-American woman attorney and I can't count the number of times I've been asked if I'm something else (the intern, IT, etc.), because I couldn't possibly be the attorney in the room. Sometimes, it's not verbal but it's the eye-raising or the skeptical looks. And while I do look young for my age, that is not the reason you're going out of your way to ask me if I'm NOT the attorney, I can bet on that. You wouldn't be asking that question to the white man in the room. We need to keep calling these people out for their biases.
28
When my bi-racial daughter and I (white) knocked on the door of a Bed & Breakfast in a very nice neighborhood in the northern part of Asheville, North Carolina this past summer, the proprietor took one look at us and said there were no vacancies. I told him the online booking service said there was a vacancy. He told us to wait in the foyer while he went and "checked" his books. He came back and said there was indeed a room, but for one night only. The B&B has about 5 rooms.
8
I wonder how this article would be received if it were talking about white people instead? hmm.
4
It wouldn’t be an issue because this does not happen to white people.
32
Having lived in New York City I can remember walking home at night after work with the unmarked NYPD and street crime unit and officer foot discretely following me. Reaching my building entrance I would stop and wait for them to catch up and then give them a hearty "Hello it's only me". Having gone over this scenario several times in the past.
Of course I lived in a (white settled) area. In this time period I was a NYPD officer WHO WORKED IN HEADQUARTERS.
Since retiring after 20 years at NYPD and now working as a COMPUTER SCIENTIST there have been numerous times where in the middle of the night I was detained for being in a restricted area. This restricted area is the COMPUTER MACHINE room which an individual has to BADGE-IN with 2 ID's issued by the client and a PALM SCAN.
43
professional co workers could be the main problem to me. 200 years of brain washing cannot be erased overnight. What I hear is what I have seen is one mistake by a minority person is seen incompetent while a caucasian mistake is seen as such. Very few minority find a knowledge mentor to help them.
8
I thought it was an interesting article but is it pervasive. I find the general population more stupid and insensitive to many nuances around them than actually racist.
I will follow that the shootings of young black men is a national crime and I wish that would change. Thats racism at a national level.
4
In the South, we still have racism, but I do not think it is as "mean spirited" as before. What say you?
3
People will respect you more if you’re not overly passive and accommodating. Maybe black professionals shouldn’t be so quick to brush off disrespectful behavior.
10
@Henry Morrow
and get called angry black women if they are female or threatening and scare black men if they are male. Neither option sounds promising especially when someone could call the cops. I'm a 5' 5" 120 lbs woman who was asked to leave a restaurant after I'd requested another plate. The manager said he felt unsafe and threatened to call the police if I and my friends did not leave.
19
When people of color often pay for resistance with their lives? Even are shot while cooperating with requests from authorities? And having authorities called on them for no reason? Your head is in the sand...and your immense privilege is showing...
14
I'm a retired Respiratory Therapist. I'm white. During the ten years I spent working in a large NYC medical center, patients assumed I was a doctor on countless occasions. It quickly became unremarkable. Even tho' I always disabused them of the notion, I'm not sure they all believed me.
7
"Working While Black" is very real. Who amongst us, Black folks especially, professional or not, does't have a story to tell about being maligned, under valued or under estimated for who we are, our skill set or our right to be in our stated positions? Who amongst us has not had the experience of being laid off first, denied a salary increase, a promotion, an opportunity? Been asked to train someone less qualified, sometimes to supervise us? To be slighted is but one of the problems associated w/ Working While Black. Ours is truly a unique & exhausting situation that we are discouraged to acknowledge in the work place. We are to go along to get along. Keep your hurt and/or disappointment inside or risk being labeled angry. I disagree & encourage that we don't go along but speak on our experience. If we are in positions of authority & can address or change the situation, it is our obligation to do so. We do not sit at the table for ourselves & our own interests or advancement but for that of the marginalized group to which we belong; Blacks, People of Color, LGBT, Disabled, White Women, etc, To be seated at the table & not speak on the equities, therefore agreeing to be the face of/scapegoat for the inequity, is to be complicit in one's own oppression. When seated at the table, speak up or get up! Address discrimination head on, hold folks accountable, move them our of their comfort zone, force them to see the ill of their ways and how it affects others. Don't hurt in silence
16
Thank you. I will make sure to avoid any unwarranted assumptions, whether as a colleague, customer, or patient.
4
I clicked on this article because of the front page photo of an African-American woman who looked like a professional - a true rarity in the mainstream media, including the NYTimes. One of the daunting realizations of the Kavanaugh hearing was how infrequently we hear from or see professional women represented visually on front pages - and this seems doubly true for women of color and professionals of color. I've noticed how frequently the NYTimes and other mainstream media represent stories involving women and people of color with graphics rather than with headshots or photos - unless it's Beyonce in costume. Likely the page designers are not even aware they do this. We need to see a wider range of people in a wider range of professions represented as a matter of course in our days so as to normalize it. Then we won't be so surprised when we meet an African-American attorney or doctor.
37
Now retired, I once was a new, white-skinned, assistant professor and faculty union office at a Florida public university. One Saturday, I got a call. As I recall, a new science-area professor, a dark-skinned Haitian-American(there are "white" Haitians) was arrested on campus.His crime? On a virtually deserted weekend campus, he had parked his car(no decal) in a no parking/no standing zone while he rushed in to get notes for a downtown meeting he was lecturing at. After intense negotiations first with his dean, then the university president, the matter was "disappeared." Arrgh, he never joined the union.
4
I'm short and I "look Jewish" (which I am) and have grey hair, and I recieve inappropriate attention, not all of it negative, due to all three of these.
Appearances are what they are, and peoples' appearance-based preconceptions are what they are. Behavioral psychologists have shown that in all sorts of circumstances, so there's probably no getting around that.
What needs to change is peoples' outward behavior when they take action based on these errors in judgment. Everyone simply needs to ask for ID in all situations, so there's no stigma about selective enforcement. And when asked, everyone should provide the appropriate ID, i.e. photo (not necessarily personal name), name of where they work, and job title. That should satisfy the LEGITIMATE concern that people have when they see someone in a restricted facility (e.g. hospital) or a professional situation (e.g. airplane crisis).
"Just the facts, ma'am/sir."
1
The headline and multiple text references state that the article concerns the experiences of “people of color” yet not a single example is given of the racist experiences of Asian professionals. (One sentence begins by stating that such experiences are not unique to Black professional as they happen to Latin and Asian professions also...but then no Asian person is ever even mentioned. Ask almost any Asian American attorney, male or female, about the racist assumptions and comments he or she has faced and you would have fodder for a full article. This piece ignores and therefore diminishes the racism faced by Asian American professionals who ARE (as one commenter puzzlingly disputes) in fact people of color.
13
@C Kim: Brava(o)! An acquaintance told me, she doesn't see Asians as being POC, "Asians are almost like white..." In other words, not quite white? Well, I'm not white, and am only as white as whites "allow" me to be. Unfortunately, many other POC also see Asians as "almost white." At least half of the racism I've encountered, has come from other POC. I feel stuck in some world of not belonging to either, or a second class citizen of both.
13
The last time a person handed me their car keys, I took it and threw it right at their feet.
It was satisfying to see that guy, bending to pick up his keys, amid me saying, next time I'll take it with me.
32
This reminded me of a meeting about 15 years ago involving 401k issues with my boss, the Treasurer of a NYSE listed industrial, and two in house labor lawyers. One a newly hired black female from a white shoe firm, with a degree from Harvard Law.
My boss, the epitome of a clueless straight white male, most comfortable in pastel pants on a golf course, simply assumed she was a paralegal. Having seen her hiring announcement I knew better. It was both funny and sad watching him speak slowly to her, emphasizing words and simple concepts.
13
I frequently experience white people feeling it necessary to explain in detail the protocols for whatever situation we find ourselves in. Once at my food coop in Brooklyn, a white grocery store manager, who was new to her job, felt it important to explain the protocols of the food coop. In these situations, I love to get arrogant, haughty and indignant. How dare these people feel that because I am Black, I don't know the rules or have the experience to know what I'm doing! I promptly shut the new manager up by telling her that after over 20 years shopping and volunteering at the food coop, I think I know what to do.
16
“People of color” is a confusing term that has multiple definitions. If you mean black people, say black people. Dr Gomez looks white btw.
The reactions black people face are based solely on their skin color, something that cannot be changed. What one wears, how one speaks or behaves will not eliminate racist behavior or words. I am not suggesting that abuse should be tolerated, just pointing out that dressing well and speaking/behaving “properly” do not deter racism.
4
Despite some progress over the last 50 years or so, don't doubt that racism is still potent in the US. I am white and was raised to reject racism. My parents took me to the 1963 March on Washington where Dr. King gave his most famous speech. I worked for SNCC (the civil rights organization) as a volunteer. I am strongly anti-racist. But I am STILL unconsciously liable to engage in racism. For example, while walking down a street near the opera house in San Francisco some years ago I saw 4 men approaching from down the block. There was no one else around. I could see that they were black and IMMEDIATELY I had a moment of fear. When they got closer I could see they were middle-aged and not in the least bit threatening. I felt very foolish and ashamed. But the lesson was clear. No one is immune from racism. But I believe we are slowly improving. The US is not as racist as it was when I was a youngster in NYC in the 1950s and 60s. But we have much more work to do. I'm glad to see the continuing discussion.
70
@David Rosen
You've also exhibited signs of ageism and sexism and possibly stereotyping a local neighborhood. I don't know San Francisco, but is the area around the opera house considered unsafe by the locals?
4
@David Rosen
The fear that you experienced is beside the point made in the article. Even black people get scared of strangers approaching while walking outside at night.
These professionals should have had every reason to believe that they were in a safe and welcoming space and yet they were automatically assumed to be at a lower level. It has happened to me. The white woman who reported to me was sometimes assumed to be my boss. C'est la vie, I suppose.
5
I am so happy that these (and so many other) people have risen above other people's ignorance and intolerance.
I am so sad that they have had to do so.
6
Sad article. Truth, but still sad.
Can I change species?
4
And some people still wonder why there is Affirmative Action. So that thoughtless people will realize that it's not skin color that makes you a doctor or lawyer, but academic achievement. After Affirmative Action, it's still necessary that a person passes all of the classes and licensing exams that everybody else has to pass.
3
Does location determine how prevalent these obnoxious behaviors against folks of color are? LIving in South Florida, where we have so many POC in politics, medicine, etc, and where my children’s doctors were almost always POC and women, I wonder if these things happen less. I’m not deluded enough to think there is less racism here, but I wonder if there is a critical mass that determines whether something seems normal.
4
Our brains are wired to identify things based on what they look like. If all you see is white customers and black waiters, when you see a black person your brain automatically associates that person with waiters.
We can correct for this behavior, but it takes conscious effort. Those of us who wish to see racism go away are obliged to make that effort. We can and must override our brain's hasty conclusions. So instead of assuming that the black person in the parking lot is an attendant, I can check to see if they are acting like a parking lot attendant. If I can't tell, I can ask in a non-assumptive way. For example I can ask "have you seen the attendant?"
I happen to live in a diverse place, so I'm used to white parking lot attendants. I haven't had much contact with professors or lawyers, but I see Neil DeGrasse Tyson as a professor on TV, and he's clearly black. Most of my doctors have been female and Asian. Many waiters are Hispanic, but so are many of the customers that they serve.
I agree that dress is important. If you dress ghetto, redneck, or professional, l assume that you are making a statement. To quote Maya Angelou, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
Black people might want to be careful too. If you see a white male and your brain marks them as a racist, you too can make the conscious effort to check that assumption before acting on it. It's going to take both sides to unwind this situation.
6
Thank you to the folks who contributed to this article. I'm a 40-something PhD scientist/academic - I have cerebral palsy from birth. Very few of my professional peers have disabilities. I've been mistaken for a patient many times, and am accustomed to people underestimating my intellect. It can be frustrating. It's particularly frustrating when non-disabled peers and mentors tell me that ableism does not exist and does not affect me. I've always known that the best way to counter these issues is to be wildly successful and happy. I strive to be both.
14
I am a physician, and one positive a constant level of racism has given me is when I see patients before surgery I routinely spend more time with them. My explanation of the risks and benefits go into more depth than my majority colleagues. I think it is just good medicine. In addition to just good medicine, my AA and female status makes it necessary to help the patients and families be comfortable. I would like to think that everyone should have this level of care, but some of the white male docs get away with a whole lot of paternalism.
A real case: The entire team walked into a room for rounds. My older intern looked the part, grey haired a little balding white male. The family only had eyes for him. It threw them when I ran the rounds and was doing my usual teaching job and the intern was obviously the intern. The next day the family had completely adapted and we had no problems.
Does it get old to always have to fight the fight and take the high road? You betcha, but that is what it is. I am hoping, praying and working on it not being true for our future.
30
I’m a black faculty member at a majority higher ed institution. I’ve learned through casual conversation with students that I’m their first black professor, and that they didn’t know what to expect upon meeting me. That they feel comfortable sharing that with me is not an accident—it comes from an exhausting amount emotional labor to monitor every hand gesture, annunciate every syllable, highlight my research articles and consulting work when appropriate, and, most importantly, going through my resume with students on the first day of class so they are of my credentials. And it’s all absolutely necessary to make sure stereotypes don’t get in the way of student learning. Im blessed to do this kind of work. At the same time, managing all of the optics can be extremely tiring...
19
I am a 50 year old white female physician and I still am asked several times a week if I am a nurse. I am also frequently asked AFTER explaining an upcoming surgery to a patient, "When will I meet the surgeon".
I can only imagine how much worse it must be to add in the racism.
Sometimes I wonder why I feel the need to be polite when people make their ignorant assumptions.....
118
The phrase, people of color, is particularly odious and only serves to fan the flames of racism.
13
I agree!
I feel the same way about “Latino”, “Latina” and “Latinx”. I hate how common these terms have become. I feel they accentuate a default “otherness” from the start.
My preference is Hispanic. I say this as a Hispanic person.
6
People of color will never really assimilate in this country, despite their efforts. White America will never let it happen.
6
Because doing these jobs isn't already exhausting enough...
White America, we've got to do better. A doctor is busy saving lives. They don't need to be constantly distracted and worn out worrying about your dumb racist nonsense. Your feelings are your own responsibility. Stop being so lazy, and manage them yourself.
13
I spoke to an editor by phone for months, arranging time to meet at a tradeshow. When my subordinate - who is white - and I went to his booth, he had his back turned to us. I said "Hi (name), it's Jennefer." He turned around, totally ignored me, and started speaking to my staff member. I said "(name), I'M Jennefer." He could not control his look of shock or his words - "YOU'RE Jennefer???" Even my colleague remarked upon this afterwards, and called it out for what it was - implicit racial bias. (She was 'woke' long before the term existed, btw)
Needless to say, it was not my first - or last - such encounter in my 30+ years in the workforce.
18
How many examples should I cite? Here are a couple:
- Me and a colleague have the same qualifications and same title at work. More often than not, our colleagues ignore me and talk to him. He also gets a lot more clients than I do. This behavior has continued throughout my employment.
- I have TSA precheck and global entry approvals. Still I get selected for a pat down and explosives test nearly every time on domestic flights. My spouse is caucasian. On a recent international flight from London, we were traveling together. At the airport, I was singled out for explosives test and pat downs while my wife was not. Please do not try telling me that this was not intentional.
19
When the news media use "people of color," they are lazy. The phrase "people of color" is used opportunistically --- often the term doesn't include Asian Americans when the write is talking about income, educational attainment, or residential segregation. However, Asian Americans suddenly become "people of color" when the media want to discuss representation in Hollywood.
Can't we have a better word or phrase? Non-Non-Hispanic white?
7
These professionals shouldn't have to deal with this sort of bias in addition to all of their regular work-related stressors... it's a good reminder to white people like me to leave off jumping to conclusions based on stereotypes so that we can avoid inflicting this on other people!
6
Change is needed. I wish it would happen faster, but it probably will come as the next generation seems more comfortable and accustomed to interacting with people different than themselves. By this I mean different ethnicities, sexual orientations and skin colors. It's sad to think how many people suffer indignities or worse as this multi-generational change takes place. Shame on anyone who thinks there is no implicit bias and makes no effort to stop it!
2
Ever since the day that a law school classmate questioned my presence, chalking it up to affirmative action even though I had better grades and higher LSAT scores than him, I have been trying to prove that I belong. It is exhausting.
~deep sigh~
19
So let's get rid of affirmative action so that your achievements are not undermined and demeaned.
4
Stereotypes are pernicious and every racial, religious, ethnic, and any other group you can think of in America - or the world for that matter - have members who fervently believe them about any "other". I am a straight white man nearing seventy living in rural Virginia and I recently met my wife's lovely niece and her fiancee - who also happened to be a woman. The niece's fiancee was decidedly frosty toward me and I later learned she behaved that way because - as an older white male living in rural Virginia - she believed that I ipso facto must be homophobic. I would be curious to know if the remarkable people portrayed in this piece would also automatically assume that I - as an older white man living in rural Virginia - must of course be racist. My point is that no group - none - has a monopoly on virtue just as none has a monopoly on vice and that the only way to destroy stereotypes is to prove them false just as the folks in this article are doing.
10
Using the term ‘professional’ for only upper echelon jobs is disrespectful to all working people.
11
@Eric No it is not. The term is generally used to distinguish jobs that require additional, specific education and barriers to entry, such as a license.
2
Just because something is ‘generally used’ does not make it right. By definition, professional does not mean what you are implying it means. I am in a specialized industry that pays very well, and yet by your definition (and many others) I would not be considered a professional. I believe that these kind of subtle insults, while not intentionally malicious, show an obvious disconnect from the working class, and inevitably drive people to the fringes and/or right wing. Consider this an insight into the common man/woman.
Note how white females are central in this story? They are the domestic keepers of racist and bigoted culture in this country.
White men may be the enforcers, but white women, most of whom are raised to be fearful and concerned basically about anything different, are the folks calling law enforcement in the first place. Police exist to ensure their notion of safety. That’s where the problem starts.
10
@FurthBurner
A few anecdotes in one story and you're ready to condemn white women as keepers of racist America?
4
@tbandc
Do you have non-white friends? If you do, ask them. Hope they feel safe enough to answer your question. That may be anecdotal too, yes. But I hope it will also be an education for you.
2
@tbandc
Right. That’s why “a few” 53% voted for Trump. Your comment seems to be rooted more in your opinion than facts.
3
This is why affirmative action is important. It’s only when people of different ethnicities and colors routinely occupy positions of power and authority, will the perception problem change. This starts with admissions to elite schools. I am not a defender of the system that funnels elite students into top positions in all fields, but that is how our society works. So we need to make an effort to make sure that having a black boss, Latina doctor or Persian political leader becomes a unremarkable thing.
18
You can’t just funnel people into positions they aren’t qualified for. I think it’s more important that doctors are competent than a quota of each skin color. Most admissions are already diversity conscientious because they know it is important. Another problem is <10% of African American undergrad students enroll in STEM majors making it difficult to enter medicine.
The lack of Latino and black doctors has more to do with socioeconomic disadvantages earlier in life that prevent entry into the profession. Cultural norms for children at least should be changing more and more each year - Doc McStuffins as an example.
The real question should be how do we erase education divide that causes low number of minority students applying to medical school.
8
Let they who have not stereotyped cast the first stone folks.
7
Well admittedly, Ms Sykes is pretty young looking for a lesislator.
2
Dear Fellow White People,
When I disagree with you when you say we've moved beyond racism, please refer to this article.
Yours,
A middled-aged white liberal guy
26
I am tired of White people being "shocked and dismayed" about the reality of racism in America. Iris comments are the norm (see below). Want to change this reality? Change your own minds first.
14
How we deal with these situations gets burned into our psyche. Not sure if this is good or bad, but I relish in the discrimination and in two common reactions; the oh (I prejudged) and oh my (he has a mind). My favorite experience of the latter has nothing to do with race. It’s traveling abroad and not being a nasty American and being aware of local culture and politics. You can always see it in their eyes. BTW, people abroad almost never care about my race, but that’s another story.
Sadly, in my youth, I would purposefully antagonize people of authority who judged me (to a fine point of course). I’ve never had patience or empathy for this kind of ignorance and decided that people just have to learn and making them angry too made me feel better. Things are better (boomer) but not as good as I’d hoped. This is a generational problem that will keep getting better, Trump youth campaign images aside.
3
As a female (white) lawyer I can empathize. I have been asked by a male lawyer - in a courtroom and while sitting in front of the bar - if I can read. In my own private office, I have been asked to show my bar license. In the local directory under Lawyers, my name "Roberta" was listed as "Robert A." Only after threatening to sue, was it changed. It can only be worse for women of color.
33
Luckily the company I worked for had a "uniform" dress code for all of their consultants and engineers. In my blue suit, white blouse, and blue shoes and hosiery I was easily identified as the Engineer/Architect that was going to lead the project or solve the problem. As standards were relaxed I started getting more comments like "honey, would you get us some coffee" or "where is the project architect?" I went back to my "uniform". I also noticed that my attitude and professionalism was often more important than what I was wearing.
It isn't just the US that has problems with accepting people of all skin colors and genders. Even in the US it isn't just white people that have biases. TV has instilled stereotypes in just about everyone but when people see these acts of discrimination on TV, especially when they appear in Sit-Coms, they laugh or think they are cute because a child was the source of the disrespect.
7
This happens with white women as well.
My wife is a heart transplant cardiologist and has had to go over her medical training background with a dad. She always gets told "oh, we have seen the nurse already." One older doctor told her she wouldnt be in medicine if she married well.
20
Asian Americans also suffer from this sort of bias and discrimination.
My father, now a retired a medical doctor, often told us about patients throughout his career in Michigan who questioned his qualifications and made racist comments to his face.
More recently, an ER doctor and Associate Professor named Esther Choo encountered a racist patient who refused her care because she is Asian. See https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/21/asian-american-doctor-white-nationalist-patients-refused-my-care-over-race/?utm_term=.8b23a53c9c22
Based on anecdotal evidence, I believe that racism/discrimination against Asian Americans is an under-reported phenomenon.
21
My husband is repeatedly thanked for his service though I am the Veteran. This even happens at the local VA hospital. I chalk it up to living in a backward red state.
25
I'm a (sort of) white physician in my 50s and 30 years ago I would routinely be greeted by well-meaning older patients with a fake, stereotypical Italian accent. I found it a bit destabilizing when you are thinking about "healing", "science" and "how can I help this person with their problem?"
They've all died off (it happens) and I thankfully almost never get the "Dago" greeting.
Point is, we all die off along with our prejudices and the hope is that the young ones will be able to just take for granted that yah my doctor is excellent. And she just happens to be Black.
7
Sadly or sometimes needed, we all stereotype and have been stereotyped. Though I am sure it is more severe for people of color. When I go to NYC, I take my style up a notch so I won’t be considered the hayseed who just blew in from a fly-over state. When I approach a checkout line I choose the older woman cashier over the teenager chomping gum playing with her hair.
12
Tackle your own biases. I am sorry, but it is not my job to alter my appearance or speech to make the majority comfortable with my presence in spaces historically dominated by non-minorities. The standard professionalism and respect expected from ANYONE should be enough.
14
Virtually every Black professional can tell one of these stories, and, yes, they reflect the dark and ignorant role that race plays in America. As this article indicates, the response for many Blacks has been to "over-assimilate," that is to do everything possible to create the impression that you belong. For me, that has never been a winning strategy because it is a strategy of inherent subordination.
Personally, I have always found it to be more successful and satisfying to use unfortunate racial stereotypes to my advantage. For example, white people are happy to perceive Blacks as being more physically imposing, aggressive, cunning and street smart than whites. Combining those preconceived notions with a high level of professional competence puts others in the position of questioning their own status and more often than not causes them to defer and cede power.
In other words, rather than trying to persuade white people I am as good as them, I try to make them question whether I just might be considerably better. That, to me, is a better route to the higher rungs of the ladder.
And, as for the petty, ignorant insults, I have always relished the moment of putting those individuals in their place. That moment of realization: "Oh your not the servant, you are the senior partner who get's to decide my fate. Oops . . . ." In the words of a great rap song, "the truth hurts don't it when a black man owns it." Living well is always the best revenge.
28
At a lecture I attended by judge A. Leon Higginbotham, he told of being stopped on the sidewalk, handed car keys, and asked to park someone's car.
Which he did.
6
Very similar but not as bad experiences as a young white woman physician. However as I have aged and acquired more white hairs I have grown more comfortable with being more forceful and with confronting micro aggressions. Unfortunately these are not options for my colleagues of color who have to tolerate far more humiliation than I
8
I wonder if people who make these insulting mistakes ever learn? Do they continue to treat black professionals as the “help” after their first error is pointed out to them? Or do they stop and question their biased assumptions before acting this way a second time. Is there hope?
9
From the time I arrived at my first corporate internship in high school over 30 years ago, I spent my entire professional life being the only woman, the only black professional, the only black professional woman, or one of a few (never more than 3).
I hate that I have forward this to my kids, even though they know this already, consciously and unconsciously.
17
Why is this the news? It's not new or unique. Why not interview those who have mistaken these professionals for someone other than who they are and ask them why? Ask them to explain their thought process. Ask them to explain exactly how they jumped to an erroneous conclusion. Stop making minorities explain everything. Minorities didn't create the problem; it shouldn't be up to them to fix it.
49
Great idea for a story. Do it, NYT!
11
Because I see this changing somewhat with the demographic composition, I urge all people to act with kindness I have been shown.
For instance, every time a person without color approaches, please do not confuse her or him with someone else. They may all look alike to you, but they are not all alike. Please do not ask them if they know another person without color that you once met. They may not have, they are not uppity. Please do not inhale sharply, step back, and crouch as if you are about to be assaulted.
Please do not ask them if they speak English, loudly and slowly. Nor pretend you do not understand them a few times - it could be because you stopped listening. Think before you call the cops if you see one of them walking near you (some do without any criminal intent whatsoever).
I know, I know. You will point to the fact that people without color commit nearly all white collar crime, defraud banks when possible, run amazing Madoff schemes, unleash terrible wars on others, and have incarcerated people they don't like. But, please do not hold every one you meet accountable.
Trump is the surest sign that these good folks are feeling threatened (or have you not seen the people lining up outside his rallies) - and desiring affirmative action for themselves. I urge all people, who have benefited directly from this great country built inordinately by people without color (as my family and I have) - to show our gratitude and understanding. Thank you.
13
@Kalidan Brilliant! You've nailed it.
I'm white, but my children are not. I've seen their struggles to "fit in" their whole lives, and I've been enraged at the bias they encounter. Thanks for turning the tables for a change.
6
This is indeed a real thing. I believe it’s ugly head is reared even more now that 45 occupies the White House. I interact with physicians, their staff, & patients on a daily basis. I’ve been called “aggressive, intimidating & I’ve been accused of “rolling my eyes” on more than one occasion. But still I excel in my field. Most like me know that those are code words aimed directly at “women of color”. I too am resigned to be “soft & overly friendly” when interacting with those who are easily overcome by the presence of people of color. It’s the way of our world.
64
I am a black professor at a college here in NY and I can say that the implicit bias extends far beyond colleagues. Like the lawyers forced to undergo additional screening at courthouses, I have been accosted by security (all themselves persons of color) when entering and exiting the building and can remember a harrowing experience when I once left the lecture hall I was holding class in to see what the cacophony in the hallway was, only to be met by custodial staff who told me they were not going to "shut up for anybody" especially "since you [I] must not be any professor."
58
As a retired African American professional, let me offer a suggestion to the new generation. Your behaviors will not/has not stopped this level of racism. And, its not your fault that someone else chooses to be a racist nor is it your responsibility to change/correct or mitigate their rebuff.
You should remember that Black secretaries in the 50s and 60s were often the best dressed people in the office. You should know that even our presence and graduation from Ivy League universities keep us locked into "an affirmative action" attendee, regardless of our GPA.
My suggestion: Be your best self. Should or when you encounter overt racism, make certain the individual or institution pay the price. Because of your ancestors struggles and sacrifices, racism is illegal still in this country.
164
@OColeman I like this advice. It sounds exhausting to stifle one's natural personality. The comment of the last woman in the article resonated with me, when she said, paraphrasing, "I make sure I'm not the loud black woman." What if you are on the loud, extroverted side? I tend to be loud, and I know when to tone it down at work, but as a white woman, I don't think I'm judged or looked down for what is my natural personality.
5
@OColeman
I agree - in the sense that the actionable cases of racism should be acted upon, instead of leaving the boat unrocked. I also see the rationale in precautions some interviewees take to appear professional or mitigate potential hysterics precipitated by meeting an African American male in a parking garage - these people are just being nice and cautious. But it is unrealistic to expect that a person of color can approximate a White person close enough to avoid prejudice. One way to deal with it is through individual achievement. It is not easy, nor should it be incumbent upon POC to constantly prove their worth above their White colleagues. But from observing the changing attitudes in the workplace I can attest that having a group of bright overachieving students of color (who BTW don't dress or talk "white") did more to mitigate the racist prejudices than all the mandatory sensitivity and diversity training.
1
@OColeman
Agree, . . . furthermore, keep a sense of humor. For example, when they say you must be security (the security guard), . . . when if fact your the lead person for the meeting, . . .
Your security right; why did you do something? —- smiles!
3
Thank you to all of these professionals who help propel us forward to more inclusive actions. It seems, at least to me a woman in architecture and construction, that we have made more progress, in the the professions, with a lessening of gender bias than we have with a lessening of racial bias, and that saddens me. We all must work for better.
2
Yep. This reminds me of the years my (now ex-)boss told me why he wouldn't promote me: "You do the work of a Director, but you don't act like a Director."
10
1) As a mother, who happens to be white, I offer the same advice to my children, speak softly, dress well and always use manners. Most in my circle beseech the same from their children
2) As a petite person, often deal with fact height accrues more money and faster presumption of competency. Can you please do more stories on that? No equity in the NY Times with regard to printing stories on heigh discrimination.
8
@Bee2018 I think you missed the part where the people interviewed were obviously acting professionally and were still presumed to be service employees.
18
@Ceilidth — service employees can be professionals, too.
3
I remember my first day as a lecturer at a university. Me, infront of the classroom, chalk and notes in hand. The white professor in the next classroom over stopped by, wondering aloud when the professor was going to arrive. And of course, now, at 42, as a tenured faculty member, I'm still asked daily if I need directions to Student Services. No, I reply, I'm heading to my office. Sigh. Even in their most generous moments, I am a student, never an instructor.
120
@Dominic On the plus side, people are taking you for a student rather than a burglar, and that at least suggests the world HAS made a few inches of progress.
Personally, I don't have a great deal of hope for the long-term survival of the human race, though I will admit that from time to time one does see small signs of progress.
8
You know how the yellow Asians have been treated in general? You go to a store and a cashier doesn't bother saying hi, or you go to work and your colleagues just ignore your contributions. You try to be nice but people think you are just the weakest link. When people fight against discrimination in any forms, they intentionally left out the Asians.
19
As a female engineer fluent in six languages I was forced to sit with the Interior Design department at a major corporation because, you know, women aren’t engineers and if they are they are really interior designers. I can empathize with the humiliation.
32
@M - Oh, I sympathise! The 'boss' insists that superintend the decoration of a new facility - I'm a computer geek!
3
There is an abundance of stereotyping in our society, but I think it is important to not make this issue specifically about "people of color." What about sex? Women have to work twice as hard as men, if not harder, to "prove" themselves no matter what color their skin is. Dressing well and speaking softly, as a strategy to counter bias, applies to women of all races.
Additionally, no matter where you go in the world, if you are different from the majority of the group (a white or black person in Korea, for example), stereotyping and bias exist. It almost seems to be human nature.
10
@Lynn Actually, there's quite a bit of variation in how women are treated, depending upon both their skin color and their perceived social class. This piece is specifically about race, so it's best if as white people we don't get defensive with "what about"s . Finally, deeming something "human nature" doesn't mean we don't have the responsibility to educate ourselves about bias, become aware of we have biased assumptions and work to correct them. Bias affects hiring, work evaluations, and every day interactions. It is on us to figure out how it operates and how to interrupt it, whether we are the target or the perpetrator.
68
I am saddened by what these professionals have to deal with. My daughter’s mother-in-law (whom I often accompanied to doctors appointments) refused to be treated by black or other minority physicians, feeling they were less qualified. She was black. Go figure.
7
@Christine Barabasz
maybe, she is feels less than a human being. I pity your mother-inlaw.
2
I am disheartened by comments still being made about affirmative action graduates. as a former associate dean at a med school, I can attest that even those medical students who were admitted through an affirmative action program still had to pass all the rigorous requirements. it was sometimes the provided white wealthy students who were more problematic.
Also, being a very small woman, I can say I have also had to "dress the part" of a senior administrator, often being mistaken for the secretary. I respect all those people of color who have faced far worse and still have the dignity to overcome the bias.
40
Just get rid of affirmative action in med schools, law schools. We do the brilliant people of color a disservice with these programs. Look at the doubt these professionals have to live through when they would have been great successes anyway! Come to think of it, It may even be worse; they may have doubts about themselves (even with their success) because of affirmative action!
8
@Mark The implicit (and explicit) bias encountered by these individuals is the precise reason that affirmative action is still needed today.
41
@Mark Just don't allow the fathers of people like Jared Kushner and Donald J Trump to pay so they can go to Ivy League schools and get rid of legacy admittance. Most Black people didn't get into school via AA. Your post is specious.
21
I wonder how white males would feel if they were routinely treated this way; like they are second class citizens, were admitted to med school or law school only because of Affirmative Action not because of their qualifications. As a woman in IT and previously in research, I too have been treated to the look that says "You can't really be capable of doing those things can you?".
No one should have to expect to be treated like a fraud or have to defend themselves when they have the credentials, live in the neighborhood (and have for years), or have worked in a hospital or law firm or anywhere for years (or just weeks) and have the correct id, etc. It's counterproductive for any professional to have to constantly defend him/herself because of skin color, gender, or religious related apparel.
It's time Americans walked the talk and accepted the fact that intelligent, hard-working people are not just white males or white period.
30
As a white male, I’ll try to explain my previous “bias” that had root in “small truths.” Growing up in a “majority-minority” (as the NYT likes to call it) neighborhood, I was beaten-up multiple times by black and Latino kids, all the way through high school. So I was “sensitive” at all times to any situation where I might encounter “people of color”. Working for the local telephone company early in my career, I often worked in “majority-minority” areas. And I was very careful then. Now, after college, grad school and many years of work, my “antenna” no longer perceive danger. So I sympathize to some extent with the situations described by the people in the story - but was their physical being at risk? Were they fearful of attack? Are they at risk? I think not. Is it unfair? Biased? Racist? Perhaps. Is it life? Yes. And there are many, many stories of hardships in life.
6
Several comments express concern about affirmative action because it isn't "fair" to everybody. But if we're really worrying about fairness, we'd worry about how racism affects people of color from day one. Inadequate schools, discrimination in housing and jobs, and other forms of systemic, institutional racism put POC well behind the starting line before they get to college.
My parents used to say "You need to work ten times as hard." They never said who we needed to work harder than; it was understood.
58
Thank you ! This is precisely what a LOT of people fail to realize and as the Medical School admissions counselor pointed out, the minority students still have to meet the same requirements. I'm not sure why people (generally non-POC) tend to equate affirmative action with "letting the mentally incapable minorities breeze by" versus helping provide an opportunity to an academically talented, socially well-rounded individual that happens to come from a socioeconomic background that doesn't allow them to pay for medical school, SAT prep program, MCAT prep programs etc. Additionally, as the Medical School Admissions individual pointed out, the white, privileged, more financially well-off counterparts, tend to be the most problematic, and lazy when it comes to preparing for their academics.
I just find it puzzling how non-POC can't stick to the topic at hand: MINORITIES literally adjusting THEIR EXISTENCE to make WHITE PEOPLE COMFORTABLE IN AMERICA! We are not talking about pay scales, nor white women, because at the end of the day, white women do not have to place a badge practically on their forehead to prove the legitimacy of their position. White women do not have to be continuously questioned if they belong in the spaces that they occupy. It's not the same and the fact that people who've said such CONTINUOUSLY trying to make it the same, is the reason why thousands, if not millions, of professional minorities continue to receive bias and racism TO THIS DAY.
25
Until the general population proportions of race and gender are reflected in the proportions of race and gender in professions and positions (e.g., CEOs) then the argument against affirmative action is not valid and self-serving (e.g., got turned down so kicking the dog so to speak).
Our society has had hundreds of years of institutionalized bias so to think it has turned around in several decades is naive and again self-serving.
By the way I am a professional who is an old white guy.
15
These negative biases are everywhere, and under Trump, have only gotten worse. They are based in ignorance. The only anecdote is to increase minority presence in all professions to where to it becomes common knowledge that, of course, skin color, religion, and ethnicity have no berring on intelligence and talent. The proper promotion of minority talent benefits not only those individuals and their families, but also their conmunities and ultimately the nation as a whole. Our nation will be more competitive if everyone is free to maximize his or her potential. It will be a great day when America finally becomes the fair-minded haven it imagines itself to be.
21
I am a 60-something white male. I can't imagine what it's like to routinely have to legitimize your presence and position. The emotional toll must be cumulative.
67
@Remembering
It is. And the slights go way beyond your presence and position. They go to your humanity and equality in every venue in every space and time.
11
I am now a retired attorney, happily writing and teaching -- not about the law, but about literature and theology. I practiced telecommunications law for 40 years. I always dressed the part -- and conservatively so. But what happened repeatedly, consistently, and reliably was that white people assumed and acted as if I were in their presence to park their car, to take their coats, that I was the guest diner, and not the host, or recently even three times in as many years that as I walked my dog about my overwhelmingly white neighborhood that I was trespassing. Each time the police were called on me only to show up and shake their heads apologetically at what they came to know as a bogus threat. Thank God. I guess I can say then that I have been "lucky" that I was never arrested, or worse. Having lived as a child in apartheid America, I thought all of this would be over by now. These dehumanizing episodes simmer, sear, and flash -- red hot. And I am furious.
247
What happens to a dream deferred. - Langston Hughes
May should read it.
Because POC are not tolerating this stuff anymore. Trying to blend in, being obsequious and mild just doesn't work.
These professionals are doing themselves an injustice by following this route.
Put someone in their place once and they won't do it again. And they will make sure their colleagues are aware as well.
16
@phntsticpeg
I agree that these professionals of color should never scrape and bow in order to assuage the fears of others.
Stay strong, and remember that you worked extremely hard for your position; harder than those in the majority; you stand on the shoulders of giants; and you are not alone.
There is a global shift in attitude occurring among POC, especially Blacks, the most universally discriminated against.
Watch the Dr. Mumbi Seraki Show to help stay informed about the worldwide struggle for an "awakening:"
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCypMLiyzMFoBQFAu346lh7w
8
I recall instances when male African-American PhD students were reported to security by faculty members who figured these young males had no business hanging around in the lab without boxes to deliver or freezers to move. I also heard that from some of the same faculty members - after they learned that these were in fact PhD students - that the targets of their suspicion and contempt still didn't belong in this (high-ranking) University. The problem being that "these people are slow". Instead of launching a protest for equality for all I chose a different approach. " You mean this kid over there? Well, he does move kinda slow - on the account of him being wounded during his tour in Iraq. As for a different kind of "slow" - did you know he is an HHMI fellow (for those not in the game - HHMI is like the most exclusive country club in all biomedical science)?" You should see the mix of envy at the HHMI fellowship and the horror of the carefully constructed supremacy ladder crashing under his feet on the guy's face... And then we start on "Now, what do you mean by "these people"?"...
41
People of color shouldn't even have to "defend" themselves. That they have to is wrong on so many levels.
15
Yes, in 2018, people of color, especially black and brown professionals are being questioned about their identity, and being questioned as to whether they belong in professional circles. I am routinely asked to empty trash and serve others when my identification badge clearly states that I am a physician/surgeon/professor. It's something that happens routinely until people get to know me. I stopped being angry about this practice because I don't want to waste my energy on the ignorance (or lack of reading ability) of others. Almost universally, the persons doing the questioning are white. It's part of my world as a female physician and has been since I earned my MD and Ph.D. I don't look like a scientist/physician/professor, therefore, I often must prove my identity to practice my professions.
112
@njbmd
Correction: To them you "don't look like a scientist/physician/professor".
9
@njbmd
As a white person I have to visualize the obstacles black people have to overcome to succeed in a career. You can imagine the black talent that would have had great potential if they had been treated with some empathy and support and respect. I have to give njbmd the highest respect for having the guts and perseverance and the talent to succeed like she did.
9
@njbmd. I handed my phone to my wife so she could read your comment. She laughed. then shrugged. Nodded her head. She too is an MD, PhD routinely asked by patients after consultations when the doctor will arrive :)
2
It doesn't only happen here in America. I remember returning from vacation from an Eastern European trip and had to travel through Frankfurt, Germany to board a plane back to the US. The security guards patted me down and checked my bag. The white couple who were behind me and with me on the same trip did not receive the same treatment; they just let them walked through. I started to say something but kept quiet instead and realized that the color line exists all over the world especially when it comes to minorities.
84
@dupr
Relax. As a white guy I've also been singled out while others, black, female, headscarfs... whatever, walked through. It's not all racism.
11
I’m a white woman who has traveled extensively. I have always been subjected to additional screening in American airports- 40 years and counting.
1
@Bluestar — Amen. I’m a white guy until people discover my name. At that point, I become an Hispanic “person of color” (my ancestry is Sicilian). Yet, immediately after 9-11, I was routinely identified as Muslim. Go ahead, folks, judge a book by its cover. There are ways to use that misperception to one’s advantage.
3
I remember reading that Botham Shem Jean would dress in professional attire on off days to avoid being taken for a "trouble-making" black man. It was reported that he only dressed down at home. He was the unfortunate young accountant shot and killed in his own home by the off-duty Dallas cop.
260
My thanks to the professionals interviewed here and to the NYT for their ongoing efforts to help us be better people.
274
What patience these individuals have. To be so accomplished in their field and yet to have those accomplishments irrationally doubted and questioned at every turn. I admire their fortitude. They deserve so much better from the rest of us.
51
While a vice president of a financial institution, I was wearing a suit, waiting in line for the buffet at a corporate function. A waiter originally from South America hurriedly came up to me to inform me that the buffet was for the company only. I quietly informed him that I WAS with the company.
86
I'm 63, and when I was growing up, one of the two best doctors in town was African-American. His practice was HUGE because he had virtually all the African-Americans in town, and a plethora of White patients as well. Dr. H was our back-up MD, and ours, Dr. M, was his.
Since Dr. H, I've always had a reverse bias (and yes, I'm a White man): When the doctor comes into the exam room and is African-American, I relax and always assume she or he had to work twice as hard and be twice as good to get half as far as their colleagues. In 63 years I've yet to be wrong in that assumption.
My wife says that African-American doctors listen to her more carefully and less dismissively than White doctors and pay closer attention to her unspoken actions as well.
So when someone wonders if a Person of Color got into med school because of "affirmative action" (implying they were less qualified), it enrages me because MY experience tells me just the opposite--they had to bust their you-know-what to get where they are.
157
@Dadof2 I wholeheartedly agree. My PCP is Filipino, my onocologic surgeon is African-American, my oncologist is Italian, my dentist is Native American (She recently retired.)
As a minority woman who started her career back in the sixties, I could write a book on the the absurdities that I faced. When I finally decided to open my own business I found that my best bet was to use only my first and middle initials when signing documents, letters, etc and develop a signature that was illegible. Oh, and did I mention, the "boss" was never in; "May I help you? Or relay a message?" I know it sounds cornball but it worked. And yes, the business was highly successful.
I know we still have a long way to go but things are overall better than they were 50 years ago. I can only hope that this current miasma in which we find ourselves is just a blip and we as a society can get back to improving the lives of all.
My mother a physician and engineer taught me that we have to be the best; that the best revenge is success, and it is indeed sweet.
14
Certainly these experiences of predjudice and racism are real, recurrent and unpleasant, and things need to improve.
But I do want to say that such weird or unpleasant experiences happen to everyone. As a tall 52 year-old white male MD who "looks the part", I am aware of being often very well treated, but rest assured that I have also frequently had my credentials questioned, been mistaken for a store clerk, been singled out for thorough and annoying patdowns and bag checks in airports and public places (while other people including of various colors and genders went through unbothered), and had patients say they hadn't seen a doctor after I had actually seen and examined them. Oh, and I also stay clear of women alone in parking lots and situations where they could potentially feel threatened (it's not like a white guy has never bothered a woman, right?)
My message is, not all these unpleasant, awkward encounters and experiences can be explained by racist and sexist predjudice. Much of it is just humans interacting awkwardly or unpleasantly with each other.
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@Bluestar Way to entirely miss the point, buddy. Have a nice day!
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@King — he didn’t miss the point, but your comment dismisses his point. For example, if your loved one fell unconscious suddenly and a stranger said, “I’m a doctor,” would you not at least give a passing thought to the veracity of that statement?
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I dress casually, but neat when not working, retired HR professional.
I recently sold my home in VA and moved to GA. When looking at a new home, the salesperson didn't ask me anything, but volunteered that I had to have enough money to make a deposit. Ironically the new house I was looking at cost $100k less than the house I sold. I not only had enough for the deposit; I had enough to pay cash for the new house.
Then there was the financial planner who agreed to meet with me, but at Starbucks. After I faxed a copy of my current investments to his office as requested, his assistant cancelled the Starbucks meeting asking that I come into the office. In the meeting he talked over me and brushed aside my questions, but was puzzled when I declined to do business with him.
I used to think it was something about me. I've come to realize it's my skin color and it made me feel better. These people have prejudices that they've held for a long time and can't overcome them even when it's to their detriment.
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Welcome to GA!!
Also you are a “older woman” of any color.
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Societal bias extends beyond "people of color" to people of average height, men with facial hair, casually dressed people, older people, etc.
When I asked the Manager of a fancy country club in my neighborhood for "an application", he went straight to the filing cabinet and handed me an "Employment Application", thinking that at 5'8" with a beard, I must be looking for a landscaping job. My friends had a great laugh and it told me that I should look for a different club to hang out.
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@Jim Lynch
So your one experience being mistaken for an employee is equivalent to minority professionals who frequently are not given their due? I think not.
And societal bias towards other "unacceptable" demographic characteristics needs to be checked also.
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@wavedeva — so the quantity of unfair treatment colors the person?
@Jim Lynch
P.S.
Most new club members are referred by existing members, so I can see how the manager of a fancy country club thought as a "walk-in" you were inquiring about employment when you asked for an application. I'm sure the manager gets many more people asking for employment applications than membership applications. So this isn't even a good example!
I have witnessed my valued colleagues being treated in this manner. It is chilling to see these wonderful, warm people with their education, dedication and contributions being subjected to the racist ignorance of others.
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A black mail friend from Florida (a Stand Your Ground State) told me he avoids running outside at night for fear of people assuming he’s causing trouble. My brother (also a black Floridian) says he wouldn’t stop to assist a white woman with car trouble nor does he enter elevators with single white women. He’ll just wait for the next ride.
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If Dr. Gomez doesn't want to be perceived as less competent due to affirmative action admissions to law school; medical school; etc., then she should oppose those affirmative action admissions. The problem is structural and she should oppose the structural issue that validates that assumption that individuals with lower grades and lower test scores are admitted over higher performing applicants. She needs to oppose affirmative action and affirmative action should be abolished for Latino and African-American doctors to be perceived as just as qualified as doctors who are not people of color. Oppose affirmative action.
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@Iris - you assume that Dr. Gomez got into Harvard Medical School because of affirmative action, but nothing in the article indicates that.
Also, how do you know that Dr. Gomez supports affirmative action? Again, nothing - other than your prejudices and biases - would lead one to this conclusion, and certainly can't be inferred from the article to support this.
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@Iris Even if Dr. Gomez had a lower MCAT and GPA from UC Berkeley, where she attended for undergraduate studies, did she have to take easier exams during her time at Harvard Medical School? Did she take "affirmative action" version of the Step 1 and Step 2, the licensing exams, which proves she is less competent than her white colleagues?
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@Iris I understand your point of view and even myself - I don't "like" affirmative action. However, as you know our country's history is institutionalized discrimination. This I'm sure you will agree. So affirmative action programs, historically, have been created to balance and even out the real issues of discrimination in hiring, education and beyond.
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Can’t have it both ways. If you want to be admitted to the top universities with, on average, much lower levels of empirical achievement (SATs, etc.), accept that those who believe, as I do, in the merit of standardized tests will be skeptical of claims of racism. Sorry — many people of color are simply in over their heads.
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@HBomb - sorry you feel this way that "many people of color are simply in over their heads". In my career I've been honored to learn from "white" people who are amazing and "black" people who are amazing - highly qualified and off the chain super stars. Sorry your experience has been different. But I know that often times a black child in one part of town is JUST as smart as her white counter part in another part of town. But ONE had access to better libraries, study areas, schools, and an overall better community than the other.
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@hbomb I can admit that and I have encountered many whites who had the "credentials" who were in over their heads. My standardized test scores were above average but it doesn't stop people from making assumptions about who I am or my skill level. It actually has served me well. Their low expectations usually gets them beat. I like people like you in the world.
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@HBomb, As a (white) person who did incredibly well on SAT, SAT subject tests, National Merit Scholar exam, and GRE (for transfer). I can tell you that comparing myself to my high school peers I did several hundred points better on some of those tests than people who were just as good students. My score on the Oral French SAT was 717, about 100 higher than the young woman who took amazingly well to learning languages. The 3 of us - me, her and our wonderful teacher - found the results a farce.
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The best way to change these attitudes is to continue being the professionals that they are.
Changing peoples views takes time.
However the only exceptions are the extremes, if these pros are called outright names, abused or clearly discriminated against, they should take immediate action.
Also, don't do the opposite, play the identity card, ie since I am a minority, I should get 50% of everything whether I deserve it or even want it.
If you do the former, you revert back to the ugly days of discrimination. If you do the latter, you revert back to the 1970s with quotas, bussing, welfare and the near destruction of major cities.
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Nobody is asking for more, people are asking for equal treatment, that is all.
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@A L-Thank you for your reply Al. You are mostly right but in any fight for equally, after it is won, the perverters will come in. Sometimes the perverters ruin it for the whole group.
Follow what history taught us in my post. It is the best way to get and assure equality.
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When I enter buildings in Manhattan for a meeting, the security staff often assumes I'm delivering a package and can scarcely believe who I am there to meet with....
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I can empathize. I am a female lawyer. Sometimes I have to travel in my suit for work. I have been asked several times on planes for a pillow or drink. It’s getting old.
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Biases are part of our ingrained nature and will exist alongside our prejudices. Until and unless we challenge them on our own, no amount of corrections by others will change our biases.
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@F. Ahmed
In Massachusetts most doctors are from India, The Middle East and East Asia. This includes specialists, surgeons, psychiatrists, and basically all new primary care practices who will take new patients. There is also a noticeable increase of doctors from other ethnicity and nationality as well and pharmacists. It would enlightening to hear some of their stories of success and the trauma of bias they experience.
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I hav had doctors and nurse practitioners from a variety of countries and ethnicities. Most of them have been excellent. However the worst doctor I had was a white woman.
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If affirmative action is so widespread, why is it a form of racism to have at least some doubt about the qualifications of minority professionals? Can't I question their abilities if it is very possible that they did not get into school solely through merit?
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@Naysayer Affirmative action is not as widespread as legacy admissions or the admission of full pay students over students needing financial aid. It would be more logical to question the abilities of white professionals who are likely to have gotten into school based on their family's history and ability to pay than their own merit. At Princeton, for example, 8% of students are African American while 14% are legacies and 20% percent to private school ( a marker of wealth).
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Is the white person whose father contributed to the school but is not really qualified to be there questioned?
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It's unfortunate that folks assume that if you are a minority you only gained admission because of your minority status and not on your own merit, which could also be the case. But let's assume someone did get in because of an affirmation action program. Does the school give you different tests? Are the licensing exams for the various professions different? No. That's absurd. Affirmative Action opens doors. That's it. So, no you can't.
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I can certainly empathize as a white woman who entered academia as a scientist many decades ago.
When I got to my first faculty position, an older male colleague mistook me for weeks as the new Department secretary because "I was too cute to be a scientist." I had scientific equipment salespeople assume that the male student in the lab was the boss. And when I was much younger and traveling internationally,, I would be suspected of being a drug mule due to my long hair and "hippy" dress.
Having these experiences from a young age opened my eyes to the unconscious bias that so many of us carry with us. I made adjustments in what I wear. I would chose my travel clothes carefully. When giving lectures - whether to colleagues or undergraduates - I would dress with care.
Despite my adaptations to overcome biases, I still try not to judge others based on stereotypes.
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@HN Being judged by one's color is very different. It's interesting that you still try not to judge people by their appearance.
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@HN
No, you cannot relate. I know you probably do experience a lack of safety everywhere you go, that's part of how white women are raised here (despite the statistics), but do you experience a lack of safety because somehow, despite the statistics, most people think *you* are not safe to be around? If you don't understand that, which is likely given what you write here, you don't understand what is being said in this column. You simply don't. So, you cannot relate. Please stop this false-equivalent thought!
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@FurthBurner
I didn't say "relate", I said empathize.
I was not making a false equivalency. I was merely pointing out that I had some experience of being judged by gender, age, dress, and appreciated that this experience informed how I reacted to others based on their appearance.
Unconscious bias exists in all of us. We need to use whatever tools and experience we have to overcome it. I was pointing out my attempts.
I'm sorry if my comment came off as inappropriate. That was not my intention.
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Unfortunately, as W.E.B. DuBois eloquently stated, "the problem with America is the color line," even in the 21st century. I'm heartened by Millennials and Generation Z as they foster healthier attitudes and behavior with respect to race and gender. Hope springs eternal in our American youth! Thank you for this insightful article NYT.
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@SGC. Agree. The place to start is in the home. I am a baby boomer, raised in an all white NY suburb. Those were the days when real estate agents decided who should live where. But I chose to raise my children in an integrated suburb. They had a black pediatrician and classmates, principals, coaches and teachers. They have always seen minority men and women in positions of authority. To question someone’s credentials because of the color of their skin would never even occur to them.
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