10 Signs of Professional Jealousy in the Workplace: Black Folk Edition

As more and more Black folk enter into professions where we have been historically under-represented, we are facing daily micro-aggressions and character assassinations. Many of us do not know the name of the problem and even when we do, we have no tools to fight back.

As Black people enter career fields and spaces where we have been under-represented, much of the advice that we read is aimed towards racism and the daily micro-aggressions that we face. While this advice is much-needed, there is something else that we need to think about. What if the people sabotaging us — in majority white spaces and Black ones — are Black? What if, instead of mentoring younger Black professionals, an older Black professional act as a gatekeeper and barrier? What do we do? Most of our employment discrimination laws are aimed at proving racial discrimination and sexual harassment. What do you do when the job bully looks like you? Has it ever dawned on any of us that not all white microaggressions are motivated by racism? Some of this passive-aggressive behavior is jealousy. Yes, white folk can be jealous of Black folk. Jealousy is a green-eyed monster that knows no race, gender, sexual orientation, class, or age. But for many people who are breaking glass ceilings and kicking down doors, professional jealousy may be difficult for us to recognize when it is staring us right in the suited-up face.