Let Us Be Heard Project:
Bringing the Experiences of People of Color to the Forefront

I was asked how the recent events have affected me and my family. To provide perspective, let me give some history and then answer the question.

I've worked for what is now called Raytheon Technologies for the last 13 years. My wife, Jenée and I have four boys, own our home and until covid, were very active in the church and community. I am currently and continue to be Chairman of the Board for Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Southern AZ chapter and have served in the church from regional board of directors to treasurer to greeter. As far as community goes, every place I've lived (Boston, Dallas, Atlanta and Tucson) I give back to the community in the form of mentorship, coaching, board member, refereeing, umpiring, etc.

Growing up as an NFL player's son and then an NFL coach's son, I had access to people, places and opportunities some can't imagine. My college and adult careers have only perpetuated that access which has significantly shaped my life; personally, professionally, and spiritually. My parents intentionally made my brother and I aware that we were Black and that unfortunately came with some negative connotations. To rewrite the stereotype, my parents put as many Black professionals in our lives as possible: dentists, lawyers, engineers, professors, etc. My parents went as far as opening up their own printing business (imagine a Kinko's in the 1980s) to instill entrepreneurial skills, perseverance and discipline. This was my new typical Black people point of reference.

But the question asked was how have I been affected by the recent events, referring specifically to racial and social injustices. My answer is, it frustrates me, but fortuitously, I can say it frustrates me and not have been in a physical confrontation with law enforcement in my life. Have I been held at gunpoint by the police? Yes, twice in high school. Both times were because I "fit the description" but fortunately, I was not put in handcuffs, fired upon or cited for misdemeanor or felony. I can say that no one in my immediate or extended family has ever had handcuffs on them. Since I arrived on a college campus in Palo Alto CA, every interaction with the police has not escalated to more than a speeding ticket where we both drove away at the conclusion of a 15ish minute engagement.

Do I feel the fear and intimidation that people exude because of me? Absolutely. I'm an almost 6 foot, 220lb black man. When I walk into a store or a room, I'm noticed. Do people try to treat me like less than human, uneducated and lazy? Yup, it's a stereotype. People act out of fear and what they have been fed. What do I do to mitigate this behavior? Although Raytheon does a fantastic job of identifying diversity and inclusion opportunities, I still wear three piece suits, mainly because of the visibility to our vice president and Customers. But, I will also say, my dad, who worked for IBM during the off seasons, while also earning his Master's degree from Suffolk University, and then opened up his own business, wore suits to work daily. Him and other Black professionals led by example on what proper business attire is, which has and continues to influence. Even now, during work from home, when interfacing with my vice presidents, I'm wearing a shirt and tie.... shorts on the bottom of course lol. I digress, it is beneficial in the workplace, but outside of the workplace, the respect and acknowledgement I receive when walking into a store is night and day. I'm not a threat, I'm not perceived as a potential shoplifter, if anything, especially in commission based businesses, I am viewed as a sale, a competent adult. The level of customer service rivals that of an Uber driver trying to maintain a five star rating.

When I'm in public without a suit, I wear Stanford. I am infinitely proud of my alma mater, as such, more than half of my civilian wardrobe is Stanford gear. As much as I love my Cardinal, it isn't cool nor trendy according to the general public. In my experience, the only people who wear my colors are students/family of students (current or alums) or those who have aspirations of attending. It is comical to watch people's expressions transform from fear and anxiety to calm and acceptance. People deescalate from their stereotypical Black man to a highly educated man. Unfortunately, my mitigation strategies are in place to combat systemic racism. The characteristics of a stereotypical Black man are unfavorable. I won't create a list, but will ask you, if you could change your ethnicity, would you choose to be a Black man in America? I am willing to bet not, which means you either are a bigot/racist (if you've read this far, that is NOT the case) or you are aware there is a significant disadvantage of being a Black man in America.

Despite my best efforts to alter my packaging, I'm seen as a Black man first. My packaging challenges the stereotype and opens up opportunity. In some cases, this is an opportunity to save my life, others to change perception of what a typical Black man is. Both opportunities dispel fear and anxiety, giving me and my family a more formidable opportunity to be treated like human beings. The sad reality is that I have to intentionally and actively distract people from their initial perception of me to be treated with dignity and respect.... Like someone who isn't Black. Am I affected by recent events? My answer is unequivocally, yes. The last 400 years of recent events shaped me and caused me to be acutely cognizant of my conduct and appearance. Do I suffer as greatly as those killed, justly or unjustly over the course of US history? Of course not. I'm alive!

My question to you is, am I an atypical Black man or a typical Black man? Remember, I'm married, provide for my family, educated, career-focused, socialize and lead my family with a Christ-centered heart. Now, justify your answer.

My name is Sula Mae Green and I am a 52 year old single, African American woman with 14 year old twins, a boy and a girl. Looking back over my own life, we as a country haven't change much, not even close to what I hoped for for my own children. I have lived on both sides of the coast and I’ve notice it doesn't matter, in the South it’s the only place you’re called a “BOY" as a grown man! Systemic racism has always existed in our education system where funding goes to the more well to do. Health Care where if you’re black, your health care is not important compared to your white counter part. We sit for hours either not to be seen or just plain ignored like we don't know our own body. Lets not forget about the job opportunities we lose knowing our credentials are more than necessary, but for the color of ones skin, we are looked at as inadequate and lets not forget uneducated. On public transportation, I’ve been called a “NIGGER  BITCH” and had beer thrown on me or been shopping in a supermarket with my two children when I say, “Excuse me” and I hear, “WE HEARD YOU, NIGGER, WE’LL MOVE WHEN WE ARE READY!” I can honestly say I didn't handle those situations very well. Another is the prison system… boy, is it hard once you’re a felon, even though you do your time and try to become a better citizen, so many doors and opportunities are shut in your face. All they see is COLOR, not a reformed person and how do I know this? I’m one of those people they look at as a “statistic" and doing odd jobs to get by. Having a criminal record is the worst…if you can’t get a break, you go back to what you know, the streets!  

I can remember my first encounter when I knew I was different. I was looking at a comic book as my mom shopped and a white boy came up to me and asked, "what are you looking at?” Before I could answer, his mom said, "Get over here” and pulled him by his collar and said, “we don't associate with their kind!"  She had a look of disgust that I will never forget…that look that I am less than trash, or the half compliment like a slap in the face when they say, “you’re pretty for a black girl.”  You know to this day I hear that but it’s “BLACK WOMAN” now instead of “girl”, but I truly do believe this is a sign of ignorance…as though I don't compare to a white woman! I’ve experienced incidences like sitting on a bus with a seat available next to me and they choose to stand instead, or as I get up, they brush the seat like blackness rubs off! I think about the times my Big Mama would explain the different words that were used to describe us like NIGGER, JIGABOO, TAR BABY, NAPPY HEAD, SPOOK, CHIMP, and AUNT JEMIMA. These are the insecurities that we have to grow up with. 

That brings me to “THE TALK”…most families have the talk and it’s about sex…not the black family.  We have to have another talk, one about how black men need to respond to the Police and that talk used to happen about age 15 or so because most would began to drive.  Now it’s much earlier… I had to have “the talk” when my children turned 8 years old! Crazy, huh? I had to tell my kids that some people will see them differently and as less than others.

My name is Silvia. I am a 35 year old Mexican-American woman. I am here to talk about white privilege, which I believe exists, and how it can be used for good. First of all, don’t be offended. Please recognize that white privilege is real because it gives power to be part of the change. I want caucasian people to be my ally not my enemy.

A few years ago I worked as a Production Manager at a small engineering firm. The Office Manager was a white woman who fit the “Karen” stereotype perfectly. In this company I had other Mexican co-workers whose dominant language was Spanish and so naturally we spoke Spanish to each other. One day “Karen” walked past us during our lunch break yelling “ENGLISH ONLY, ENGLISH ONLY!” We all looked at each other and laughed and dismissed her.

This happened again, and again in front of several other employees. Nobody said anything to her. No one reprimanded her actions. I finally realized that I had to stand up for myself and the rest of the members in my production team. l was finally fed up and put her in her place by explaining to her all the reasons why I love this country. I ended it with my number one reason being that I have freedom, freedom to speak whatever language I chose!

Now, let's talk about this situation and what “Karen” could have done differently. “Karen” could just mind her own business because honestly, she had nothing to do with our conversation. Second, let's talk about how you can use your white privilege if you witness a situation like this. If you encounter people speaking a different language around you, just go about your business like you would if they were speaking English. I assure you, you are not the topic of our conversation.

If you witness someone acting like a “Karen” call them out. If you see something, say something. Remember, silence is compliance! In my story, many people witnessed “Karen” acting out, including the Chief Engineer. Yet, no one said or did anything about it. A lot of times minorities who speak a different language prefer not to confront these “Karens” because we do fear being on the losing end if we speak up. Get out of your comfort zone and let these “Karens” know that their behavior is unacceptable.

Racism has to be actively eliminated. Whether it is an explicit “Karen” acting out or a quiet discriminatory elimination of a resume from someone with excellent credentials but his name is Juan. Chances are you will witness silent systemic racism and discrimination more often than an overt “Karen” acting out. My message to you is to recognize racism and discrimination and to use your privilege to call it out. Recognize it in your workplace. Recognize it in your businesses. Recognize it in your community. Recognize it in your family. Recognize it in yourself.

In the words of our former president, Theodore Roosevelt, “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” I believe wholeheartedly in the greatness of this country. I believe that together, we can grow stronger and become true world leaders of freedom and liberty for all. Dear White People, let us be your ally because we are not your enemy.