Imani Dixon — Jun 16, 2020
Deleting this comment is insinuating there is something to hide.
Exercising My Freedom of Speech
Around October 2018, I experienc…
Deleting this comment is insinuating there is something to hide.
Exercising My Freedom of Speech
Around October 2018, I experienced racism for the first time in the workplace. I would like to say I am quite sure none of the individuals here at this company identify as racist, but due to the current circumstances going on in the world, individuals (such as those who were a part of the T-Media Sales team at the time) who have committed acts out of prejudice towards black people now have the opportunity to think about their actions and how they are indeed a part of the problem.
My supervising executive at the time, a (55+year-old white woman) Rebecca @Becky Custer, physically put her hands on me and my belongings during work hours. I chose compassion to try and understand why someone would be comfortable doing something like that to a lower-level employee. After this incident, I went to the head of HR @Steve Leon and the VP of the company @Lee Warpack. The VP, another elder white woman, dismissed my claim and told me that "Becky would never do that." HR disregarded the incident, even after Rebecca admitted her actions.
After my claim was made verbal the retaliation began, Rebecca soon began intimidating me. She wanted to speak in secluded areas, followed me to the bathroom, and referred to me as "this one" and so on. The VP soon joined in on this behavior commenting on my "Attitude". Lee Warpack told me "I was messing her money." and began to read a few emails she disapproved of where she felt I was being "too smart" (her words). I was now written off as "sassy" via email when in reality I was following the same script/ emails a white coworker, @Kendall Holler used during her time with the company. I was now the Angry Black Woman.
I was soon put on a 30 day probation period (without an end date signed on the contract) for bringing "disharmony" into the workplace. I was told I was a hostile individual and accused of having an "attitude", and I soon saw my position posted on every third party site imaginable.
After letting Rebecca know that I was no longer comfortable speaking alone with her due to her constant aggressive + threatening tone, she concluded that I could no longer work with her.
She RAN into Steve Leons HR's office crying exclaiming that I threatened her at work. With no proof, witnesses, or confession of me doing anything that ridiculous. There was an office full of people who could not confirm anything like that had happened. These individuals chose to sit back silently allowing this to occur @Alec Burnap, @Mandy Durbin,
@Vanessa M.
I was called in and explained that nothing of the sort happened. I was then asked to go home for the day. I was later informed that I had been terminated due to threatening a supervisor. This company reacted/ treated me the same way this country has treated black people for over 400 years. A white woman made a false claim again a black woman, with no proof, witnesses, or confession after the same white woman admits to putting her hands on a black woman days before; yet the black woman was the one to receive punishment. I was dismissed, humiliated, and my record was trashed in hopes to keep me low as time passed.
Thankfully, I've been able to overcome this challenging time and pursue a rewarding career that I truly love. Although, I do believe it is important to speak up against unjust acts such as these in a predominantly white work environment. I hope each individual truly takes the time to reflect on what they could have done differently that day instead of dismissing a black woman as if she is a threat to those around her, even after a cry for help. Black Lives Matter, even in the workplace as well, Speak Up and Fight Back. Now is the time!!
#BlackLivesMatter #BLM
Read more
Deleting this comment is insinuating there is something to hide.
Exercising My Freedom of Speech
Around October 2018, I experienced racism for the first time in the workplace. I would like to say I am quite sure none of the individuals here at this company identify as racist, but due to the current…
Deleting this comment is insinuating there is something to hide.
Exercising My Freedom of Speech
Around October 2018, I experienced racism for the first time in the workplace. I would like to say I am quite sure none of the individuals here at this company identify as racist, but due to the current circumstances going on in the world, individuals (such as those who were a part of the T-Media Sales team at the time) who have committed acts out of prejudice towards black people now have the opportunity to think about their actions and how they are indeed a part of the problem.
My supervising executive at the time, a (55+year-old white woman) Rebecca @Becky Custer, physically put her hands on me and my belongings during work hours. I chose compassion to try and understand why someone would be comfortable doing something like that to a lower-level employee. After this incident, I went to the head of HR @Steve Leon and the VP of the company @Lee Warpack. The VP, another elder white woman, dismissed my claim and told me that "Becky would never do that." HR disregarded the incident, even after Rebecca admitted her actions.
After my claim was made verbal the retaliation began, Rebecca soon began intimidating me. She wanted to speak in secluded areas, followed me to the bathroom, and referred to me as "this one" and so on. The VP soon joined in on this behavior commenting on my "Attitude". Lee Warpack told me "I was messing her money." and began to read a few emails she disapproved of where she felt I was being "too smart" (her words). I was now written off as "sassy" via email when in reality I was following the same script/ emails a white coworker, @Kendall Holler used during her time with the company. I was now the Angry Black Woman.
I was soon put on a 30 day probation period (without an end date signed on the contract) for bringing "disharmony" into the workplace. I was told I was a hostile individual and accused of having an "attitude", and I soon saw my position posted on every third party site imaginable.
After letting Rebecca know that I was no longer comfortable speaking alone with her due to her constant aggressive + threatening tone, she concluded that I could no longer work with her.
She RAN into Steve Leons HR's office crying exclaiming that I threatened her at work. With no proof, witnesses, or confession of me doing anything that ridiculous. There was an office full of people who could not confirm anything like that had happened. These individuals chose to sit back silently allowing this to occur @Alec Burnap, @Mandy Durbin,
@Vanessa M.
I was called in and explained that nothing of the sort happened. I was then asked to go home for the day. I was later informed that I had been terminated due to threatening a supervisor. This company reacted/ treated me the same way this country has treated black people for over 400 years. A white woman made a false claim again a black woman, with no proof, witnesses, or confession after the same white woman admits to putting her hands on a black woman days before; yet the black woman was the one to receive punishment. I was dismissed, humiliated, and my record was trashed in hopes to keep me low as time passed.
Thankfully, I've been able to overcome this challenging time and pursue a rewarding career that I truly love. Although, I do believe it is important to speak up against unjust acts such as these in a predominantly white work environment. I hope each individual truly takes the time to reflect on what they could have done differently that day instead of dismissing a black woman as if she is a threat to those around her, even after a cry for help. Black Lives Matter, even in the workplace as well, Speak Up and Fight Back. Now is the time!!
#BlackLivesMatter #BLM
Read more
Show less
