Hispanics, many of which were directed at her. In high school, her white guidance counselor suggested that she take classes to learn a skill so that she could get a job right after high school. He never raised the possibility of her going to college. Despite his lack of encouragement and support, she attends college on an academic scholarship. After graduation, she gets a job and during her first week hears remarks that she was hired to fill a that “quota.” Later week, her boss calls her into the office and tells her to refrain from speaking Spanish at work because it makes non- speakers feel uncomfortable. As she heads back to her desk she overhears a couple of her co-workers telling some racial jokes. Things are piling up quickly. She calls a friend to meet her after work to have coffee so that she can vent some of her frustrations. As she walks to the table at the restaurant, another customer assumes she is a waitress and asks for more water. Bad day? Perhaps. An unusual day for a Latina? Perhaps not. Core Concept #3 EXPLAIN AWAYS When people come to you with a problem, it is instinctual to try and fix it. After all, why else would they be sharing this
Hispanics, many of which were directed at her. In high school, her white guidance counselor suggested that she take classes to learn a skill so that she could get a job right after high school. He never raised the possibility of her going to college. Despite his lack of encouragement and support, she attends college on an academic scholarship. After graduation, she gets a job and during her first week hears remarks that she was hired to fill a “quota.” Later that week, her boss calls her into the office and tells her to refrain from speaking Spanish at work because it makes speakers feel uncomfortable. As she heads back to her desk she overhears a couple of her co-workers telling some racial jokes. Things are piling up quickly. She calls a friend to meet her after work to have coffee so that she can vent some of her frustrations. As she walks to the table at the restaurant, another customer assumes she is a waitress and asks for more water. Bad day? Perhaps. An unusual day for a Latina? Perhaps not. Core Concept #3 EXPLAIN AWAYS When people come to you with a problem, it is instinctual to try and fix it. After all, why else would they be sharing this non-
35_Dumb_Things_Well_Intended_People_Say_-_Dr._Maura_Cullen.docx