Posted on by Cam

“Insecure”: A Relatable Portrayal of Black Women’s Experiences

The critically acclaimed show “Insecure” has resonated with many viewers, particularly black women, for its authentic and nuanced representation of their lives and experiences. Created by Issa Rae, the show has been praised for its ability to shed light on the multifaceted struggles and triumphs of black women navigating various aspects of life, including their careers.

Reflecting Real-Life Challenges

From the very first season, “Insecure” captured the relatable struggles faced by the main character, Issa, in her professional life. Her experiences at the non-profit job, such as financial struggles, a toxic work environment, and a sense of not belonging, struck a chord with many viewers who have encountered similar challenges in their own careers.

As the show progressed, Issa’s journey became even more resonant, showcasing the complexities and stereotypes that black women often face in the workplace. The show’s ability to depict these experiences with honesty and authenticity has been widely appreciated by audiences who have felt seen and understood.

Celebrating Black Women’s Resilience and Entrepreneurship

One of the most empowering aspects of “Insecure” is its portrayal of Issa’s growth and transformation into a boss woman and entrepreneur. After facing disappointments and setbacks in her career, Issa’s journey towards entrepreneurship serves as an inspiring representation of black women’s resilience and determination to forge their own paths.

The show’s use of Issa’s inner monologues and imagined scenarios, where she talks to herself in the mirror or envisions situations, adds a layer of relatability and vulnerability, allowing viewers to connect with her thought processes and self-reflections.

Shattering Stereotypes and Promoting Representation

“Insecure” has been widely praised for its ability to shatter stereotypes and provide a nuanced representation of black women’s experiences. By showcasing the diverse career paths and personal journeys of the four main characters, who are all college-educated black women, the show challenges the narrow and often negative portrayals of black women in media.

The show’s success and resonance with audiences highlight the importance of diverse storytelling and representation in the entertainment industry. By giving a platform to authentic narratives that reflect the complexities and multidimensionality of black women’s lives, “Insecure” has become a cultural touchstone and a source of pride for many viewers who see themselves reflected on screen.

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Posted on by Cam

Embracing Women in the Tech Industry

The tech industry has historically been male-dominated, and women have faced numerous challenges in pursuing careers in this field. However, embracing diversity and creating an inclusive environment for women can bring immense benefits to organizations and the industry as a whole. Here are some ways to embrace and support women in the tech industry:

1. Promote Equal Opportunities and Fair Compensation

Ensure that women are given equal opportunities for hiring, promotions, and career advancement. Implement transparent and unbiased compensation practices, ensuring that women receive fair and equitable salaries for their work, without any discrimination based on gender.

2. Foster an Inclusive and Supportive Culture

Cultivate a workplace culture that values diversity, respect, and inclusivity. Encourage open communication, provide mentorship programs, and create support networks for women in tech. Address and eliminate any instances of discrimination, harassment, or insensitive behavior towards women in the workplace.

3. Encourage Leadership and Representation

Actively promote and support women in leadership roles within the organization. Provide opportunities for women to take on challenging projects, lead teams, and contribute to decision-making processes. Increased representation of women in leadership positions can inspire and empower other women to pursue careers in tech.

4. Offer Flexible Work Arrangements

Recognize that women often juggle multiple responsibilities, such as caregiving duties or family obligations. Offer flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options, flexible schedules, or on-site childcare facilities, to support women in balancing their professional and personal lives.

5. Provide Training and Development Opportunities

Invest in training and development programs specifically designed for women in tech. Offer workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events that address the unique challenges and experiences faced by women in the industry. Encourage continuous learning and skill development.

6. Celebrate and Recognize Women’s Achievements

Highlight and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in the tech industry. Share success stories, recognize their accomplishments, and provide platforms for them to share their experiences and insights. This can inspire and motivate other women to pursue careers in tech.

By embracing and supporting women in the tech industry, organizations can tap into a diverse pool of talent, foster innovation, and create a more inclusive and equitable workplace. It is crucial to address the challenges and barriers faced by women in tech and actively work towards creating an environment where they can thrive and contribute to the industry’s growth and success.

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Posted on by Cam

Feel No Pain

I was getting ready to graduate from college at this time. I remember one of my professors telling us to make sure you got experience before graduating from college. That meant getting an internship.

Trust me I was trying to do that. This my first time experiencing discrimination at it’s finest. We would get all dressed up for career day/job fair day to go around and talk to recruiters from the companies who came to visit the HBCU (Historically Black College & University) I went to. Me and my classmates would go to also pick up free swag and map out who to talk to. One thing a lot of the companies would do was set the bar so high to get an Internship, G.P.A. (3.5 or higher). I did not have a 3.5 G.P.A. with a background in Engineering. We would go to our sister school that was 30 minutes away to get the opportunity to get a chance for an internship. Nobody was asking them for a G.P.A. at all for an internship opportunity.

Experiencing this made me realize that everyone is not treated equally in the workspace. I would be at my career fair disappointed knowing that fact that these companies were not trying to give minorities a chance to make an impact at their company or give us the chance to experience what corporate was like.

I do not get a job offer before I graduated and I deleted to apply for graduate school because I do not want to go back home because I did not like the situation that was going on in my hometown. I did not give up hope on trying to get experience when I got to graduate school. I went to the career fair and met with a few recruiters but this time was different. I got an email from one of the companies saying I was accepted for the internship program. I opened the email up and thought this must be a joke. I got a call from Career Services on campus regarding it. I was super excited to be given a chance finally.

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Posted on by Cam

It’s Okay to Cry

This blog post is about Mental Health and how important it is to take care of yourself.

As a career woman I have been through stressing situations at my work place where I did not have a work life balance to rest and reflect. It’s easy to get burned out at a job when you are good at what you do and no one wants to help these users.

I may look strong on the outside but I am emotional on the inside. Deal with work stress has caused me to cry, become an alcoholic, and feel unworthy of being a human.

I remember when I started a new job in a new city and how hard it was to transition to what I was used to working for and with it. I was introduced to the Good Ole Boys club. Women were not respected in this area or promoted. During this time of life I was stressed out with this new place and knowing that it was not fair at all. I was doing all of this work and not being paid my worth at all. There would be times I would go to the bathroom to go cry to relive my stress. Sometimes it would turn into going into a conference room or the car to do so.

I have experienced stress in a workspace but not like this. I was holding down a whole company that’s around the world by myself. The worst feeling I ever felt was working during Covid and being the only one on my team going in. During that time I was not recognized for doing that or even promoted. I was told I did not deserve a promotion or raise by a manager who barely knew me and he gave someone a raise who was barely working for 6 months. It was not fair to me and yes I was heartbroken inside. I was upset and I started to cry and ball my eyes out. Stress, unfairness, and loss of insight of where I was going in my career was on my mind. The thoughts I had in my mind is “Working in Information Technology as Woman worth it” and “Do I give the fight to for future woman in my career”.

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Posted on by Cam

No Church In The Wild

Story from the Trap House, I remember when I first started working here. It was so different from what I was used to working at. The people were from another planet that I had once been in before. My first day was crazy when I met the team for the first time. It was already too much drama between 2 of the co workers who were working there at the moment.

I remember it was last day at the Trap House and I just got in to work my last day. Guess what! The drama took place because of the 2 people could not agree and the other person was tired of dealing with the mental abuse. As they argued and voices started to escalate. I asked one of the guys to go take a walk and I got ignored. So the other guy got upset about the other guy talking about his car. Bam, he hit the desk sectional and started aiming at the other guy. It got so loud that HR had came to the scene and the security guard ran up to separate the guys. Both guys were let go based on their actions and how they dealt with the situation.

It opened up the door for me to get hired on full time. I learned from the situation that you can have toxic coworkers in your workplace who are not in your corner. Also to keep you personal and private life at home.

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Posted on by Cam

Like A Boy

“Wish we could switch up the roles and I could be that”.

I joined a different company than what I was used to this time around. Trust me the shit stanked since day one. I was the only female and black on my team with a whole lot of men. I was excited to be working with another female in IT but that did not happen because she decided to go to another team because she was wearing the same shoes as me but a different color.

As I begin this unfair journey with being the only one like me and not having anyone who could relate to me in my role. They would go to lunch all together and leave me behind (take extended lunches over 2 hours). Yes there was always cliques with them all. I worked harder than they ever would have in their lives. I was never promoted in my area or given a raise. The guys on my team have gotten multiple pay raises and promotions in the same role. I got plenty of praise from the people who had appreciated me for the work I was doing and how good I was at my job. The term I was use is the Good Ole Boys club.

One thing I learned about this situation is that I wish I would have been a little be wiser in the situation and left the company after I saw that I have been here for a year and was not awarded any raise or promotion at. Yes, I learned a lot new skills at this place but my redundancy and not growing in my career. I have asked the manager and my directors several times in my 1:1s “Why am I still in an entry level role? I was not fresh out of college or did not have any skills at all. But another guy on my team who was hired a month later after me was hired on as a level III”. I never understood how he amounted to getting that title. I went on questioning this the whole time and still no answers were given to me. I figured it out because I was not a male and women are not being accepted in this field and not given their flowers. I wish I was a boy or they could switch roles to see how much you have to deal with and how they would feel being underestimated as a woman in Information Technology.

Being a women in the Information Technology field is not easy. Yes please speak up and let your voice be heard. Never let yourself slip into the background when you know you are worth it. Women have fought in the past to have rights. I am not going to keep fighting and I am going to continue to fight the good fight.

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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