Here at VSB HQ, we get a lot of emails per day. Like a lot a lot. I italicized that first "a lot" to let you know two things: 1) like,it's really a lot, and 2) to let you know it's real. Like, real real. Using the same word twice - and italicizing to boot - let's you know just how real it is.
We don't read them all. In fact, typically, I go in each day and skim all of the subject lines in attempts to avoid emails that will either piss me off (which has happened) or are a waste of time (way more than you know). Sometimes they're emails with business opportunities that look promising (one such email that we received recently is a pretty big damn deal that's asked us to be apart of something that, at this point, I'm sure almost every Black person is aware of), and a lot of times they're emails looking to submit material to VSB. I promise, y'all, I try to get through them.
And sometimes, they're reader emails, quite often from white people. A few days ago, I came across a reader email and said, this white guy needs help. He needs an education and he's asking for it from VSB. What better place to let that happen than in the VSB comments section. He said in his email that it was okay to post his question, so that's exactly what's about to go down.
Dear Brothas,
I've been following your site for a few years, laughing and diligently taking notes on how not to act at the cookout. I know you and your readers are thoughtful, generous people so I come to you in search of guidance:
I am a white male, early 30s. I recently took a job at a majority black radio station. This is my first time working with black folks in a specifically professional setting. Do you or your readers have any good tips for me? I'll take my comments off air. THANKS!
Honestly, my first through tenth reply is: Don't Be Racist. Oh, and treat people like you want to be treated. Seems like that would cover it all, but that's probably not that helpful. I've personally never worked in a majority Black environment. Is there some sort of difference between the two? So let's say you do work in such an environment and a white dude starts working there, maybe there are things you HOPE he doesn't ever do or say, etc. Maybe this is the opportunity to create the Working With Black Folks Manual. If that's the case, what would YOU put in there?
Let's Friday this bitch.