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Shari Clarke, PhD

VP for Diversity

09/24/20 at 8:57PM UTC

Diversity & Inclusion

Is Blackness Invisible?

Is Blackness invisible? I’ve been dealing with this concept for the past few years. I sit in Executive Leadership meetings & I’m frequently overlooked, overshadowed, not seen and not heard. How is this possible with my melanated skin, curvy form & the uniqueness I bring as “the only” in the room? The research on Black women & our realities in this world can be pretty daunting. Thinking of Breonna Taylor-was she simply not seen by the murderers or was there simply no value to her as a Black woman who was dispensable for no logical reason beyond the invisible visibility of her Blackness? I’m left to ponder these and other thoughts with many more questions than answers.

Join the conversation...

Leader556780

122

Retired returned to the work as a SEE with EPA

10/04/20 at 3:46PM UTC

Yes, my sista, we are invisible, undervalued and underpaid. Stand up for yourself and you are an angry black woman.

Christy Schwartz

335

Lead by example and listen to learn

09/28/20 at 2:25PM UTC

I think there are 2 conversations here. 1. Is Blackness Invisible? 2. Are Women Invisible? The reason I separate those out is because as a female leader I want women at the table and I want women of color, all colors at my table. I don't care what you look like, how you sit at the table, what you say when you get to the table, if you are late or early, if you dress up or dress casual. I don't care. As a woman I see you, I can see all that is brought by you being there. Now, I also see when you are not at the table, I see when Blackness is Invisible, because it also makes me uncomfortable. All of this may because of my personal life, or maybe how I was raised or maybe just who I am but it has to change. I have so much to say about this and would love to expand to a deeper conversation regarding executive females, racial inequity and the balance of being heard vs given an opportunity to talk.

Anonymous

09/28/20 at 12:26AM UTC

That was horrible and very sad to hear. I think HR should be involved already. Sorry in our workplace there is no case of this kind yet but I strongly believe the management and HR should be honest about the culture in place and do measures to improve it.

DENNISE WILLIAMS

397

Financial Coach, Corporate Trainer & Marketer

09/27/20 at 6:36PM UTC

Many years ago, I was on an escalator in Miami Airport in a cluster of people. There were two white men, one white woman, myself and a black man. The black man smiled at me and I smiled back. One of the white men started laughing that the black man was flirting with the white woman. The other white man laughed and agreed. It was impossible for them to see a black woman getting attention when a white woman was around. That experience never left me. So yes, blackness is invisibility in my experience.

Susan Kehoe-Sutphin

09/27/20 at 3:26PM UTC

This is a completely different angle based on what I encountered - are you acknowledged as a well-informed, expert (or nearly so) in your field? I was consistently overlooked by those who did regard me that way. It is awful, demeaning and discouraging. I am truly sorry you are experiencing it.

LORI-ANN BURLINGAME

827

Project Coordinator in Ohio

09/27/20 at 6:39AM UTC

You are not invisible. In fact, you are making a power statement being there. I feel sorry for those who do not take the time to get to know you.

User deleted comment on 09/27/20 at 4:25AM UTC

Anonymous

09/27/20 at 3:33AM UTC

Oh I completely agree. Seen several companies now where black folks were at least 1-2 levels below their actual performance level. I’m not even black and it was that obvious. White men want to support their best friends who are white men. If they deliberately overlook others, it’s because of a lack of talent (Wells Fargo CEO) or inability to play the game and getting your work known, something I have myself heard so many times. Well it’s hard to get your work known when people give you half an hour in six months and hang out with the white guy weekly.

Anonymous

09/26/20 at 11:31PM UTC

Shari, thank you for posing this question which makes YOU visible and that is an important step. We all must make intentional efforts to make sure our Black coworkers and friends and neighbors are seen and heard. By sharing this question, painful as it must be, you are visible to this community. And it is OUR responsibility to pass on your message and make sure that we are never complicit in reducing Black voices.

Paula Bowie

CFO | COO | Chief of Staff | Tech & Ops

09/26/20 at 10:08PM UTC

I've been a woman in the workforce for 44 years. I've worked primarily in banking, finance and technology. I've worked in Europe and the US. Especially in my early career I hit that glass ceiling more than once. From all of that experience I would offer there are a significant amount of people in the workplace who are so focused on the contribution that they - personally - want to make that they ignore [don't see/don't listen] to others. Many of them don't even realize that they're doing it - because they are so desperate to get their own point across. Unfortunately colleagues who fall into that category are unlikely to offer you an invitation to speak and so you will probably have to grab if for yourself. From what you share it seems that you have the passion, the education and a position that provides a platform to be heard. It may be that there are some tips and techniques that a good coach can help you with to ensure that you get heard. Feel free to message me separately, I'd be happy to see if I can help.