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Deconstructing Race: The Pressures Of Being A Black Professional Woman

Asha Brogan
/
WYSO

I’m a black professional woman. I’ve experienced “race” in the pressure to function in service to others more than myself. I’ve been punished with silence, disapproval, and the promise of being blackballed when my actions and words evolve outside of someone else's sense of my place.

Being a black professional woman is having what’s considered above average education, experiences and accomplishments ignored at will by those who share my heritage as well as those who do not. If I were white or male I might be seen as adaptable to any leadership role... but these qualities have been identified as deficits in my Black, female body. It’s being told easily with impunity what you offer is beyond the expectations anyone would have of someone like you. It's threatening. It's being told to be sweet when insulted. And then there's the scrutiny, yes, the scrutiny.

The choices: will you confront and teach, carry the accusation in silence or deflect with soothing remarks? It's, don't come off as “too powerful” or “too smart” you ruin your chances of having the career, man, opportunity, fill-in-the-blank, you want.

Race has also led me to allies and friends who are tenacious, astute, and equally outraged about how racism affects my opportunities and daily life. They respect what I have experienced. They know what I have researched about the philosophy, character, ethics, etiquette and vision that my people give the world. Race has inspired me to understand the magnificence of Black contributions to the human story and to proclaim that knowledge to my people and to anyone smart and ethical enough to listen.

Dr. Venita Kelley is an author, consultant and Co-CEO of LOUD Family, Inc., a content entertainment company.

Deconstructing Race is a series of commentaries about racial identity by Miami Valley residents. It's co-curated by Dr. Kimberly Barrett, vice president of multicultural affairs and community engagement at Wright State University. 

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