by Carmen Van Kerckhove

Watercooler is the section of the blog in which we share with you real-life horror stories from the frontlines of race in the workplace. This week, we have a story from Breeze:

So all 6 counselors plus our director were in a committee meeting discussing applicants. One students name was called, and his counselor commented on how handsome the kid was. She said he was mixed French and Japanese. A conversation ensued, and during it one of the counselors said that kids come out so good-looking when the races mix. This prompts my director, the one I spoke of in yesterday’s post, to stop writing on the blackboard and turn around and say, “Not necessarily. Especially when it’s black and white. Just depends on which side comes out. Just God’s little way of telling you, ‘Be careful when you do that.’”

Nervous, awkward silence filled the room and all eyes were on me. Not only am I black; my husband was white. How blatant is that? Finally, one of the counselors, a long time friend of mine, broke the silence, saying, “But not you, Summer. You guys’ kid is gonna be gorgeous.” He didn’t know what to say, poor thing.

I honestly don’t remember anything else in that meeting. I just zoned out. I knew right then how bad things were. I didn’t go to HR. The environment was not one where I trusted things would work out in my favor. And I needed my job. I’m sure that I could’ve easily gotten legal support to prove a hostile work environment, but again, I was 22, that was my first job, I was broke, and I just didn’t have the strength of being to take it on. Man, if I was the me I am now back then?!….

Please email team@raceintheworkplace.com if you’d like to send in a story, put “watercooler” in the subject line, and let us know what name we should use for you. Pseudonyms and first names are totally fine. You can read more Watercooler stories here.