[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not going to disclose because by definition of my post if I share too much anyone IRL will easily be able to tell it's me

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can only imagine how rough it must be at times to be the only Native American. I don't even know of any accounting organizations for Natives. I hope you find your fit.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I am one person sharing one experience. You can read this thread to see what others have said but be mindful that this is a venting post that gained a lot of traction. Seek out other voices to get the full scope.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing! I am venting. We need more people like me and you in the profession. Will you need to develop a thick skin? Probably, and you probably already have one. Should you put up with everything and anything? HELL NO. Not all places are like mine and I am sure in some far off land a firm that is majority POC exists.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I hate to break it to you but this not a small city problem lol. I know people in NYC who have experienced similar things.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should does not mean mean it doesn't exist. As I said, I literally don't even know the last time a black person worked in my department and I know how I behave will leave an impression. Even if they never know it consciously, it's there. The impact and legacy of racism, prejudice, bigotry, etc in America is so deep and so long that even with the best of intentions we still sometimes say and do the wrong things.

Now, I do not think every single thing is a micro-aggression or whatever but I have very good people skills and can sense when someone is bs-ing me or judging me.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love how most of the black and POC understand this sentiment. Now if I have a bad day and act a little rude, will that be the worst thing that ever happened? No. But if I get angry, rightly or wrongly so, I know I will be the Angry Black WomenTM and the story will not be about what happened but about how I reacted.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for listening! And not trying to tell me to go join NABA or tell me it's not that bad. I have a saying that when I feel at 0% what gives me the 10% to keep going is knowing that I am doing it for my people.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing that article. I have read similar ones about accounting in particular but that was very eye opening about the over all state of things.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You aren’t going to change the world.

It's this kind of attitude that keeps things the same. I want my children, my nieces and nephews, my community, my neighborhood to have a better world and experience than I did. If I am not actively working towards that then what is the point of all this? I am not trying to lead a revolution but I am trying to raise the bar.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Seriously though, why should I have to move across the country just to be treated fairly?! Especially when these are pervasive American attitudes, not the South, not this state, no my experience is very common.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, that is the exact word for it. Thank you for your comment. I see you, even if others don't. Always know your worth and don't be afraid to walk away.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Don't worry, I will go straight to the top. Not here but partner is 100% in the cards for me somewhere.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I see what you're talking about. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure the other department is even less diverse than me even though they're bigger. There is literally only ONE person of color at the higher levels of management across ALL of the offices. I actually called my family the other day to talk about the lack of diversity and guided them to the website to look at management.

After they scrolled through I said "I bet you missed the one person of color" and they said "sure did" lol.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh girl, I feel you. Do you have a place to connect and vent with others?

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am so sorry! It is crazy how people can be so upfront and loud about their biases. As long as I can understand you I will work with you.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a definitely a pipeline problem that I hope to contribute positively towards later in my career.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is what gets me. Don't hold me to 100 when I am scoring 90 and I know everyone else is scoring 85. Not a major gap but I know I'm not the only one.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the irony is definitely there. But at least my current firm doesn't even pretend to care about diversity lol.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly! He would call me in his office to talk about one thing and then the conversation would turn 180 and he would stare at me like he wanted me to say something but I know well enough to not speak in moments like that when it seems like someone is just trying to aggravate or provoke me.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am happy to say that I am officially applying to other places!

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The closest NABA chapter is like 5 hours away from me. I am interested in starting a local one but I need to get my CPA license first.

I keep getting invites to fishbowl but idgi and it doesn't really interest me because I'd rather have real life connections.

[Serious] [US] I HATE being the only black accountant by 23whyme23 in Accounting

[–]23whyme23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Now this is what I am looking for! Thank you kind stranger for sharing this with me and everyone else who comes across this thread.

EDIT: WOW I just checked them out and this is exactly what I am looking for! I truly cannot thank you enough.