Ethnography Paper: Are white women more capable of being successful in the workplace compared to African Americans?

Why are black women “less likely” to succeed in business? Why are white women “more likely” to succeed in business? Are black women not as qualified as white women? What makes a black woman “qualified” to be a successful business woman? What makes a white woman “qualified” to be a successful business woman? Are the conditions for a black woman in business the same as for a white woman?

As I researched this dilemma, I came across an article, Women’s History Month 2009: Black women still fighting workplace racism by William Reed. Just with the title, I could tell that “black women are still fighting,” for not just racism, workplace racism. It is very prevalent in the world, today. I wanted to focus on black women vs. white women, (for a lack of better terms), in the workplace. Yes, we have other races, but the two main clashes in the workplace have to be black and white. I did question the validity of my thesis when it came to actually thinking out my issues, questions, direction with this essay. When I set up for the interview process, I included the questions under that topic, which were very hard to come by in this day and age.

I gathered information primarily through Google, Yahoo and other websites. I actually went to the library to look through the history books to help come up with the questions. I added a couple of interviews and equipped the essay with a participant observation.

Interviewees:
-64 year old, African American young lady

How do you feel about black women in the workplace?
I think it is good. They need to be there. They buy they shop in the store and I believe there needs to be “US” represented. There are too many white folks in there. Where we spend our money, we should be able to work. Not just white folks.

Do you believe that black women are qualified to be in the workplace?
Of course they are. They wouldn’t apply for the job if they didn’t think they could do it.

Are white women more qualified than black women to be in the workplace?
NO they are not. They may know a lot more with white bosses and community. They have an “up” on the process, already. They know a lot more whites who have the job that people need. And so we have to go and get the jobs the hard way.

Do you believe there is a time when there is too many black women in a workplace?
No, you can never have too many blacks in the workplace. They never get that chance. They have to have more whites than blacks. They believe white women have more concern for a job than black women.

Do you want to see more black women in the workplace?
Sure, there should be more black people than I see in a workplace. They should be equally dispersed.

Participant Observation:
I observed two individuals; (Subject A) 50 year old African American young lady working in retail and (Subject B) 25 year old White young lady working in retail. I wanted to focus on other mannerisms and actions portrayed by customers/co-workers/management. As I watched, Subject A I noticed that a lot of customers shied away from her register. Some would look for a sale’s associates, see her and go in the opposite direction. Co-Workers were extremely nice to her. I know this has a lot to do with her experience and her age. It is seen as “being respectful”! Now, Subject B, ironically, is the manager over the department Subject A is a part of. She is very rude, obnoxious and not understanding at all. No, I am not passing judgment. I actually used to work under her and so, this is “first-hand” experience. When she walks, she carries herself in an uptight, “stuck-up” manner. This observation, honestly, can not be taken advantage of. This is just one observation. In my opinion, I believe I would have to conduct a lot more observations to support my thesis.
Theorists have said that the “typical” black woman has an attitude and is very rude, while on the other hand, the “typical” white woman has a very quiet demeanor and shy at the same time. The truth found in this case, is that many people have opinions on who is suppose to act what way, but they only thing to do is actually go into a deep research and find the truth. Anthropologists and Sociologists can get more information about this issue on the website,
http://www.sfbayview.com/2009/women%E2%80%99s-history-month-2009-black-women-still-fighting-workplace-racism/