First, before I begin, I want to apologize for anything that I might say that will offend anyone. Okay, now that I have that out-of-the-way let's talk. Recently, I rocked a topknot hair wrap to my work place; which I don't normally wear outside of my apartment, but on this particular day I decided to wear it, because my hair was a hot mess and believe me when I tell you my hair was a hot mess on that day and so, I was standing with a colleague having a conversation, and this Becky and her side buddy, whose name I really don't care to know, but let's just call her Felicia; as they walked passed my colleague and I. This Becky loudly said "Hey, Auntie Mammy." Now, at that point I stopped talking. I looked at this Becky with fire in my eyes. I closed my eyes envisioning myself drag this Becky by her hair choking the life out of this b!+€#.
But the God in me said, "STOP!" you are not who she says you are. You are made in the image of me.
Now I was going to approach this Becky, but I found out that she had left early that day. I waited angrily for 2 days, until my patience wore out, and so, I had a conversation with my manager. I told him what had happened, and that I did not appreciate being called "Auntie Mammy" by this Becky, so my manager took it upon himself to have a conversation with Becky. Now mind you that the two of them had a conversation without my knowledge, so I had no idea of how the conversation went between the two of them, because I wasn't there. In the end nothing was resolved between us. I'm telling you this to make a point. Why you have to watch what you say to me or anyone? Became what you think is funny may not be funny to the other person. We have to be mindful of what we say out of our mouths, due to the fact that you do not know how the other person will be receive it. I took it as a racial remark, being a woman of color. I understood it as being called a uneducated nigger who worked in the master kitchen. Where he called the her "Auntie Mammy" to underrate her as a women of color.
Now, the old unsaved me would have dragged Becky's ass and put my foot in her mouth, but God!!! I hope you get what I'm saying, because words can be hurtful, jokingly or not. My mother has always said, "Think twice and speak once."
I've heard throughout the office that this Becky is dating a man of color, so she should know better, and I'm pretty sure she would never say anything to offend her man.
And so, it's been a few weeks now, and to this day Becky has yet to apologize for her racist remark, and like I said, it is the God in me that has allowed me to move forward, due to the fact that we have to work together, and I have to be cordial on the job to this Becky, but you better believe there isn't going to be a next time. I am going full throttle on that ass... Know that!!!
Thank you for allowing me to share my story, and please comment and share your thoughts.
Hea'vona
