Racial Inequality at Work.

How do you spot racial inequality at work? Especially when it is so subtle these days. It's not like anyone is turning to me and directly saying, "I don't like you because you are not Caucasian".

 Racial Inequality at work looks like:

 1. Not being HEARD or listened to in conference meetings
2. Being "HUSHED" - by a gesture of the hand or requested to "never say that again" (oppression.com)
3. NOT being promoted when there is a qualification to do so

 I recently left my job at a cosmetics company in San Francisco, which, on the outside seems SO incredibly diverse. And it's founders, of Lebanese descent, how could anyone say they were racist?

I can. Because I experienced it. The founders aren't in the office every day, and the CEO is too busy dealing with the big picture. Lots of things go unnoticed. It's not like the caucasians would give the CEO their "ugly" face in person.

It happens in private - ALL THE TIME.

 How to fix this IMMEDIATELY:

1. Ask, demand, a Diversity & Inclusion program, so matter HOW SMALL! It can even be 2 people LARGE
2. Send articles to your HR department and demand that they train their caucasian leaders on how to be more CONSCIOUS of their everyday, SMALL actions. Small actions are huge here.
3. Ask yourself, is this an environment I am in worth it?

Women Owned Cosmetics:

What would the world look like if it was ruled by women and women only?

I imagine all streets would be lined with flowers and trees, everywhere. Lakes would be abundant because of the care and consideration put into everything.

Humans would be happy. Butterflies would be everywhere. Babies would be running freely in office environments and streets. Housing would be affordable. Homeless would be cared for.

The economy would be booming, don't get me wrong, but the buckets of money would be going to different areas:

A hypothetical woman's budget:

1. 30% Environment - plant plant plant!! Healthy healthy healthy!
2. 30% Healthcare - free healthcare for all
3. 40% Education

A hypothetical man's budget:

1. 90% infrastructure - build build build, compete compete compete
2. 5% Healthcare - kill kill kill
3. 5% who knows what, who cares

I'm exaggerating to make a point ;)

So let's take the San Francisco skyline for example, because I currently live out here.

Do we really need the salesforce tower? How much of the city's taxes went into building that massive phallic building?

So in summary. A woman led world would be ABUNDANT, FLOURISHING, HAPPY, ENERGETIC

The Matriarch.

Our country needs a matriarch. NEEDS.

Nancy Pelosi was at The Wing SF today and my spirit awakened. She is a representation of what the world should look like. The vibe in the room was all love, peace, emotion, and hope. A room full of mothers, children, incredibly smart hardworking women of all ethnicities - shout out to the lovely woman that sat next to me - such a great conversation.

Nancy spoke of Power. Influence. Organization. and Getting things done! She refrained from answering specific political questions and was so classy, well spoken, calm, and omg GLOWING.

I'm not going to pretend I know all things about Queen Pelosi, but I do know that for me she represents exactly what America has been for me personally - security & protection.

I am an immigrant.  Born in Lebanon. I became a citizen in my 20's. And for me, this country has protected me from the war in the Middle East - the misogyny, the lack of government, and the chaos. Of course there's always room for improvement, ;) , but from my point of view we have it pretty damn good. At least our women aren't getting murdered for running for congress. We are progressing, I can feel it.

Spending the rest of my day in a happy, positive, meditative state.


Peace & Love.

Annabella

White people in Corporate America.

First of all, I must say: I am an immigrant, and SO thankful for the protection this country brings. I am also thankful for the diversity that this country allows for us to have. Please do not confuse my words for ungratefulness.

But, there is always room for improvement.

The issue with Caucasians in the work force is that they are so incredibly ignorant to so many daily injustices and micro aggressions that us colored women face. And I'm not even the most marginalized! I am Middle Eastern, so I can't imagine how terrible Black women get treated! However, my daily workplace is still my jail cell and I will fight for change, however little is possible.

In office environments where I am surrounded by Caucasians, I am the last to be heard and recognized - and not because I don't speak up, I speak up constantly, but because most Caucasians are biased and wired to only hear and agree with other Caucasians. I have been literally hushed - silenced - on multiple occasions by my bosses, I mean oppressors, oh I mean bosses ;)~. I am even silenced by the Caucasian WOMEN in my office - it blows my mind. I could literally say "the sky is blue" and everyone would disagree with me, but the caucasian woman next to me could say "the sky is pink" - and everyone would agree, regardless of her being incorrect.  On so many occasions a white woman, who was not as qualified or good at her job has risen above me. My younger naive self would say, my time will come. But will it?

Will it come if I don't shout & yell? I don't think so. So this is me shouting and yelling.

There are times when I do speak up, loudly, and I am considered aggressive, or not nice. So I can never win. My options are to sit quietly and accept my fate, or stand up and fight to trail blaze for the women that will come after me. So I speak up, regardless of the shushing, and the ignoring, and the not being promoted. And I urge you to do the same.