Picture it-
The year 2013, a small southern
town
A black woman abruptly approached
the receptionist’s desk with disgust searing from her eyes tucked behind her dark
wide-rimmed glasses. Dressed in a black knit hat, black trench coat, and black knit
gloves, she cradled her purse in the bend of her arm with her wrist limp. The
receptionist gave her the side eye in the most professional way she could
muster. The
black woman’s female companion’s face was already apologizing for her friend’s
behavior.
Angry Black Woman in a gruff
tone: My name is ABW and XYZ is supposed to have a sealed envelope for me. Are
you XYZ?
REP: No
ABW: Could you get XYZ?, ABW demanded
as she welcomed herself to a seat.
REP: Ummm. . .yeah, let me see
if I can find her.
REP returns: XYZ appears to be
at lunch. You can take a seat in the lobby and I’ll have her come get you when
she returns.
ABW haughtily responded: Where
is QRS?
REP sighed heavily: I did not
see her on my quest to find XYZ. The proper protocol is for you to take a seat
in the lobby until someone comes for you. Not to just walk up to the desk.
ABW: I know what the protocol is.
I couldn’t receive what I needed by fax so XYZ was supposed to put it in a
sealed envelope for me to pick up.
REP increasingly agitated: I’ll
be right back.
REP could not find QRS but she did
run into HNC and described the situation to her.
HNC: Is her name ABW? We know
her, we know her well.
Angry Black Woman, why did you approach
that receptionist with no warning? I mean, like you just had a phone argument and
you were coming in to settle the score? Look, I don’t know what your day was
like. I don’t know who upset you, who disrespected you, or who hurt you. I know
it wasn’t that receptionist because she obviously hadn’t laid eyes on you
before. Please don’t put the pressures
of your day or your life on innocent bystanders. No, you didn't raise your voice or use foul language but your posturing was foul. You are perpetuating the angry black woman
stereotype. Oh you think that’s not fair; I’m taking it too far. I can’t hold
you responsible for how others view an entire race? Obviously you just did the
same thing to that poor receptionist.
Love,
Alison
Super Writer You!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to keep reading. This reminds me of not only angry black women, but frustrated and disgruntled people period. I was trying to think, could this be me in some situation however unintentional? I am reminded of how I have used the "Breath Prayer" to help me in difficult situations; you know the prayer Jesus prayed on the cross when he took his last breath. Not my last breath, but I take a deep breath before proceeding and say "Father into your hands I commit my spirit" Wow how this changes my spirit and actions.....when I remember to submit and do it!
Thanks, Alison.
I'll try to remember the "breath" prayer.
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