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The Workplace Whisperer
Navigating Your Mandatory Black History Month Office Lunch
The Workplace Whisperer tackles corporate ‘diversity’ efforts for MLK Day and BHM
The Workplace Whisperer answers anonymous work-related questions submitted by readers. If you have a question for the Workplace Whisperer, email julia@julialocklear.com and no worries, we will keep your name and any identifying details anonymous.
Dear Workplace Whisperer,
I work for a consulting agency. One of the big ones. For MLK Day and Black History Month celebrations, my bosses want us to sit through an MLK film for our lunch break at the end of the week and then talk about social justice issues while they cater us a meal of cornbread, greens, and fried chicken. For BHM, it might be a once a week lunch. They are trying but I don’t want to attend. Am I being cynical? Is it racism if they are trying? — Consultant in Houston, Texas
Dear Consultant in Houston,
Sigh. I mean…. Gurl, no, you don’t have to attend. And not wanting to attend doesn’t make you cynical. It means that you have some sense. But I question the leadership at your organization. Why host this film session and serve “ethnic food” in lieu of actually observing the federal holiday…
