What is "White" anyway? Ask a dozen people what the definition or ethnicity of 'being white' is and you'll probably get twelve different answers (unless it's a baker's dozen). Some will say German, some Aryan, others will just refer to the skin color, some will say Scandinavian. Nobody really seems to know. Truth is, we're all just a big, fat mix of different races.
I'm part Mexican, Choctaw Indian, and Scottish...I drink like a freakin' fish, eat lots of beans, love Mexican food, used to wear moccasins, have a pony tail, and well...drink like a fish. But, my skin, although I do tan very darkly, is essentially white.
So, as such, according to some people, I am privileged because I am white and little black, brown, and yellow people hate me.
Well screw that.
To my knowledge, I've never in my life been selected for a job based on my skin color. And...I've gotta say this...if anything, now it's quite the opposite. Because of my skin color, I could not get a freakin' job.
If you've ever delved into online job applications, submitting your resume to head hunters, etc., you'll undoubtedly be familiar with Employment Agencies, like Apple One, located down near the piers on Wall Street in Manhattan, and others. Upon beginning my job search in New York City in 2014, I began receiving calls from head hunting agencies, one particular one was out of some area of New Jersey. Never met the woman, just received faxed applications and releases, filled them out, and sent them in to her. All to no avail.
Then, I received an offer from Apple One.
I dressed up in my finest and wore a tie (which I detest), and took the train to Wall Street. I walked down to Apple One, which is located near the eastern piers, and arrived in plenty of time for my appointment. They called me in, I met with a woman (who was white, by-the-way) and she reviewed my resume.
"Why such a gap in employment?" she asked.
"I lived in China and Thailand for a total of fourteen years. I was teaching English as a second language" I replied.
"Well, you should add that to your resume. At least it explains the gap in employment."
We chatted for a while, she asked more questions, then this is exactly what she said...
"Your resume is impressive. You have a lot of experience in many different fields. I can't remember the last time I met with anyone with such a diverse and stellar resume, except for the gap in years of employment. However, I have to say...just between you and me...it is too bad you're not a minority or younger."
There it was. The truth.
It was only her and I in the office. Nothing was being taped and no CCTV cameras were present. Her word against mine if I were to contact Equal Employment Opportunity and blow the whistle on her.
Too bad you're not a minority or younger. Two, very blatant forms of prejudicial treatment. More like "Unequal Employment Opportunity."
For two solid years I submitted my resume to various job sites and employment agencies. I went on literally hundreds of job interviews, a couple of which called me back for a second interview. But, I was never hired. One place on Madison Avenue send me an e-mail saying they were impressed with my resume, experience, and presentation, but chose to hire another employee. "It was so very close!" they said. I'd bet my bottom dollar that person they selected was a minority.
So, meanwhile, I sit back, enjoy my down times and read all about WHITE PRIVILEGE. Which, if you ask me....
Does Not Exist.
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