Let me tell you a story:
In 2015 I was working on a Presidential campaign and one night some of the staff go to dinner. While there, the person heading up our campaign research (let’s call him Research Guy) looked at me and said he wanted to give me some advice.
He said I will need to get some additional experience before I am able to make this much money again. 🧵
In 2015 I was working on a Presidential campaign and one night some of the staff go to dinner. While there, the person heading up our campaign research (let’s call him Research Guy) looked at me and said he wanted to give me some advice.
He said I will need to get some additional experience before I am able to make this much money again. 🧵
Research Guy suggested I try some state legislative races or a governors race because there are things I will learn there that will be necessary if I want to get hired on another presidential campaign. Taken aback , I asked what made him think I didn’t have experience?
(I worked on nearly 25 different races including a gubernatorial before 2015)…
(I worked on nearly 25 different races including a gubernatorial before 2015)…
You know what Research Guy said? In front of a handful of our colleagues at dinner he told me I only had my job because I was Black and if our candidate hadn’t had issues with Black people I wouldn’t have gotten the job.
The was the first time someone had ever so clearly said “it” to my face…
The was the first time someone had ever so clearly said “it” to my face…
This wasn’t a combative conversation at all. He said it very matter of fact and even doubled down. I excused myself from dinner and went home.
Research Guy didn’t even ask me about my experience he just assumed I didn’t have any 😬. He thought this role was bestowed upon me and I didn’t earn it…
Research Guy didn’t even ask me about my experience he just assumed I didn’t have any 😬. He thought this role was bestowed upon me and I didn’t earn it…
I felt embarrassed, frustrated, belittled and powerless. For weeks I was miserable, but I never stopped working. Because I wasn’t about to allow someone who clearly lacked basic etiquette to run me out of a room I know I worked hard to walk into. I was already here so I thought I may as well make it count.
And I did. Idk where Research Guy is now, but he knows exactly where I am. 🙏🏾…
And I did. Idk where Research Guy is now, but he knows exactly where I am. 🙏🏾…
A lot of people in this country including the President sound like Research Guy right now. I have some advice:
Do not allow these people to run you out of the room.
Do not stop working.
Do not give them the benefit of the doubt.
They have no idea of your power.
Show them.
Do not allow these people to run you out of the room.
Do not stop working.
Do not give them the benefit of the doubt.
They have no idea of your power.
Show them.
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