work comment I didn't know how to handle..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not understanding why folks are labeling the woman angry. You were discussing work issues and she told you about her issues. The white comment was uncalled for though.

Those who are white just do not understand the discrimination that takes place. Many times, blacks are seen as admin only, never management material. I won't even bother to go into it. Many won't understand and will pull the "angry black woman/chip on your shoulder" BS instead of recognizing that these things happen.

Maybe this helps explain the older, angry black woman? They experienced discrimination that hopefully younger folks will not.

[Anonymous]

I think OP's response was probably the best one she could have made under such awkward circumstances. She didn't really take the bait, but she expressed her sympathy for the colleague's disappointment. Nicely done, actually.

But what's with the "older, angry woman" thing? Care to unpack that, PP?

I'll go first. I think the two things people in our world (men/women alike) hate most are a woman who dares to speak up when she's angry (even if that means she's no longer pleasing) and a woman who dares to grow old (even if that means she's no longer pleasing). Put the two together and you have the perfect pariah just ripe for ridiculing, ignoring legitimate concerns, or even, in previous centuries, accusing of witchcraft.

[Anonymous]

Whether this woman experienced discrimination or not, that's still a very off-putting thing to say to someone who is fairly new at your office. It's not like they're close and have known each other for months and the older woman was confiding in her. This is a really professional, irresponsible thing to say.

Beware, OP. Be on your guard around this person.

[Anonymous]

*unprofessional thing to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think OP's response was probably the best one she could have made under such awkward circumstances. She didn't really take the bait, but she expressed her sympathy for the colleague's disappointment. Nicely done, actually.

But what's with the "older, angry woman" thing? Care to unpack that, PP?

I'll go first. I think the two things people in our world (men/women alike) hate most are a woman who dares to speak up when she's angry (even if that means she's no longer pleasing) and a woman who dares to grow old (even if that means she's no longer pleasing). Put the two together and you have the perfect pariah just ripe for ridiculing, ignoring legitimate concerns, or even, in previous centuries, accusing of witchcraft.

PP here. Someone else referred to older, angry woman upthread. Just commenting on that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think OP's response was probably the best one she could have made under such awkward circumstances. She didn't really take the bait, but she expressed her sympathy for the colleague's disappointment. Nicely done, actually.

But what's with the "older, angry woman" thing? Care to unpack that, PP?

I'll go first. I think the two things people in our world (men/women alike) hate most are a woman who dares to speak up when she's angry (even if that means she's no longer pleasing) and a woman who dares to grow old (even if that means she's no longer pleasing). Put the two together and you have the perfect pariah just ripe for ridiculing, ignoring legitimate concerns, or even, in previous centuries, accusing of witchcraft.

PP here. Someone else referred to older, angry woman upthread. Just commenting on that.

Yes, I was really addressing the criticism toward "+1 Every Federal office has an older, angry woman" PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not understanding why folks are labeling the woman angry. You were discussing work issues and she told you about her issues. The white comment was uncalled for though.

Those who are white just do not understand the discrimination that takes place. Many times, blacks are seen as admin only, never management material. I won't even bother to go into it. Many won't understand and will pull the "angry black woman/chip on your shoulder" BS instead of recognizing that these things happen.

Maybe this helps explain the older, angry black woman? They experienced discrimination that hopefully younger folks will not.

Do you think racism has ended? If not, why do you think only older black people are affected? And why do you attach "angry" to your description? Do white women not get angry?

Discrimination exists today. In workplace settings, how many in management, Director, VP, etc positions are black? How many blacks in admin positions?

[Anonymous]

I don't see what the problem is.

You all were discussing work issues, right? Her comment was about a work issue. I would have said something along the lines of what you did, but I wouldn't have put my head down afterwards.

Are people really this uncomfortable at the mere mention of race? Of course I don't know whether your co-worker's claim was true or not, but it's certainly something that happens, just like age and sex discrimination happen. You can even see it in the reactions of commenters here. Your co-worker has an attitude problem, is angry, is someone you need to be careful around, and unprofessional- all because she mentioned a work issue while you all were discussing work issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not understanding why folks are labeling the woman angry. You were discussing work issues and she told you about her issues. The white comment was uncalled for though.

Those who are white just do not understand the discrimination that takes place. Many times, blacks are seen as admin only, never management material. I won't even bother to go into it. Many won't understand and will pull the "angry black woman/chip on your shoulder" BS instead of recognizing that these things happen.

THIS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not understanding why folks are labeling the woman angry. You were discussing work issues and she told you about her issues. The white comment was uncalled for though.

Those who are white just do not understand the discrimination that takes place. Many times, blacks are seen as admin only, never management material. I won't even bother to go into it. Many won't understand and will pull the "angry black woman/chip on your shoulder" BS instead of recognizing that these things happen.

THIS

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not understanding why folks are labeling the woman angry. You were discussing work issues and she told you about her issues. The white comment was uncalled for though.

Those who are white just do not understand the discrimination that takes place. Many times, blacks are seen as admin only, never management material. I won't even bother to go into it. Many won't understand and will pull the "angry black woman/chip on your shoulder" BS instead of recognizing that these things happen.

THIS

+1

[phone]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not understanding why folks are labeling the woman angry. You were discussing work issues and she told you about her issues. The white comment was uncalled for though.

Those who are white just do not understand the discrimination that takes place. Many times, blacks are seen as admin only, never management material. I won't even bother to go into it. Many won't understand and will pull the "angry black woman/chip on your shoulder" BS instead of recognizing that these things happen.

THIS

So what was OP supposed to say/do?

[Anonymous]

stay clear of her. The irony is that only the federal government would hire such an idiot, she's lucky to be employed

[Anonymous]

I am a business owner and I am going to disagree with almost everyone on here. Her words are hostile on the basis race. You need to report it.

[Anonymous]

You should tell her "you feel her, yo"