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I’m white.. and a man. Shhh, don’t tell anyone.
Sad but true

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Roo to my bruhs. Happy founders day

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This is so true. I was the first POC at my office - biglaw V20 firm. I’ve been here nearly 2 years now and up until recently thought that they’re all quite tolerant. But one of my main partners recently kept saying ‘you’re so different from other associates, you’re just really different..’ in a conversation without further explanation, and of course I am different - I look different, I sound different, I come from a different background. This made me think through some of my prior conversations and I’ve realized that people just want to hire those that similar to them, as much as they tolerate diversity they DONT want it. They want to hire the same person over and over again - someone that does not look, sound and think differently to them. It is a shame but it’s also the truth.
I know several black associates who are just biding their time at their firms and will leap at the first in-house position that aligns with their goals. Biglaw life can be soul crushing for associates of all races. Associates of color often faces additional hardship.
There's a difference between diversity, equity and inclusion. Most employers are content hiring POC to have racial diversity in their employment numbers, but they don't actually "include" them in the workplace in meaningful ways that lead to opportunities for career advancement.
Sometimes they do get a few in, they just can’t get them to stay. At my current firm I’ve had two mentors (black women) leave between my summer and before the end of my first year. As I approach the end of my second year, it has become more apparent to me why they leave. It’s just not an environment where you can see your success in the long term. I think that applies to a lot of firms. Hell I’ve even started reaching out to recruiters and the first opportunity I was sent was a firm with 0 attorneys of color, not a single one.
It is beyond isolating. I am the only poc in my big law practice group and I simply just do not connect with any of my team members. I have given up hope that we will ever connect beyond being courteous coworkers.
I left my Big Law firm for the same reason, I was the only POC in my practice group and as much as I tried, I could not fit in. It’s so draining 🤦🏿♀️
Agreed. I took a chance on the small firm I’m with now where I’m the only POC but never again! Don’t get me wrong, these are relatively cool people I work with but thats not enough. Now, as I consider my next move, I’m back to combing through LinkedIn pics and company website. If there are 0 people of color, particularly with 50+ employees, I’m not applying.