I don't typically mind being exploited as the token. In middle and high school I was "The black girl" in all of the school publications. I was also "the black friend" of many of the girls in my class. So what. I'd rather they new about black people than hated and feared black people. Also, it never hurts to be in good with a few rich, white folks. (No offense to my broke, white friends who are reading this- you know I love you for you and not your lack of money! ;) )
All of that aside, I work in a school where I teach NO black students. I am one of three, token, black employees in the entire school and two of us work at the middle school level. This is where my problem arises.
There is a lovely, older, Italian woman who also teaches French amd Spanish here. On several occasions, I've conversed with her in French about my life in the States and the comonality of the fact that her son and I have the same name. Still, after all of these conversations, she believes my name is Gloria.
Gloris is the other black woman who works in the middle school. She is the guidance counselor. She is at least 50 years old. Has short, relaxed hair, does not wear glasses, is darker than me, and is about 5'7". If I have not been clear, let me plainly state that I look nothing like Gloria.
She confuses us because we are black.
I hate her in my heart.
LEARN MY NAME!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Glo, I'm sorry to hear this. In federal court, for years I was mixed up with Jimmy. Oh, Jimmy is about 6'3" and easily 10 years older than me.
By the way, I was not at all offended by being one of your poor cracker friends:) I know you love me for me:)
That aside, I'm sorry your co-worker has no attention for detail! Is she visually impaired? Maybe you should temp. tatoo 'her son's' name on your forehead or just point it out to her repeatedly until she gets it. Or maybe start calling her random Italian names like.... Leonardo for example.
REALLY: Not being 'seen' for the unique and lovely person you ARE is a horrible feeling and I am sorry!!!
Ay! you weren't in ALL of the publications...i was in some too...stop tryin' to hog the spotlight ;P seriously though, i know how you feel and that sux...i like sara's idea of calling her random italian names...or you wear a t-shirt with your name on it every day...do you still have your BMS jacket? good luck with that...you coming back stateside any time soon?
Post a Comment