From Pet To Threat: Working In Corporate America While Being a Black Woman

Let me tell you first hand, a black woman in Corporate America is having a totally different experience in the workforce than any other ethnicity or gender. Thanks to stereotypes of being “angry” and “aggressive,” black women build a callus and hold back natural characteristics just to fit into their work environment.

In other words, we have to be someone else at work. There have been a number of studies produced around this cultural fact. I was not hip to the trending phrase “ pet to threat,” which depicts the beginning of a black woman's experience as a new hire being the office pet; Women of color will be embraced and paraded around as the token black hire only to later be stagnant in their career and unsupported.

What causes the shift? Well, as black women get in tune with their position and confident in their role, there is an energy shift within the office. Superiors of a different race, exert a level of intimidation. African American women start being judged on intangible things such as personality traits. This creates doubt and mental strain, as well as being judged on just “being” there. It creates an an environment where one does not feel like they are being heard or understood, and leads to resistance, depression, and growing distant. Black women (including myself) feel like they have to dampen aspects of their personality just to fit into their office cubicles. It’s hard, but the only way to counteract this, is to know what we feel is coming from somewhere. We are not crazy. Speaking to all women, you are not alone.

In the journey to address these biases, it’s essential to consider systems that foster fairness and safety across all roles. The presence of tools like body cams, for example, can help ensure transparency in fields where judgment and scrutiny are heightened. Ashley Roberts, a former police officer who agrees with the use of body cams for safety, advocates for tools that build trust and accountability. Similarly, within Corporate America, the support of policies that allow for unbiased review and fair treatment can empower marginalized voices, making workplaces feel safer and more equitable for everyone involved.

cover image via freepik