CHICAGO — Black people have never been a monolith. That’s why harmful stereotypes and labels make no sense. That’s why at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night, EBONY had attendees talk about who they are and who we are.
With attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, the use of “wokeness” as a new term for the N-word and the use of “Black jobs” to describe work that is considered “inferior,” it was time to hear the opinions of the people who have had to endure it all. The timing was perfect because this discussion with the participants took place a day after Michelle Obama reminded Donald Trump that “the job he is currently seeking may be exactly one of those ‘Black jobs.'”
To further prove that hate speech and prejudice are tools of the lazy and willfully ignorant, two particularly dynamic speakers took the spotlight Wednesday night: Wes Moore, the first black governor of Maryland, and Oprah Winfrey, a black billionaire. This week in Chicago was not only a political spectacle, but also a picture of black celebrity.
EBONY was on site at the United Center and turned the story around by asking three simple questions:
How do you define “awake”?
Do you have a “black job”?
Are you a “DEI employee”?
Here some prominent participants give their answers.
Dara Kennedy – TV presenter:
“Woke means that we understand how we think, how we speak, and how we move through life. And when I say we, I mean people of color. That we understand who we are and what we face every day, that’s woke to me. Be woke. Be aware. Know what’s going on… It’s not the version of woke that the mainstream media and non-minority people have claimed.”
“There are no black jobs. That’s wrong. That’s fake. That’s made up. I don’t have a black job. I have a job that pays me. I’m colored. I’m a black woman. There are no black jobs.”
“I don’t know if I’m a DEI employee (laughs). I have to check the paperwork. I wouldn’t think so. I think all my years of education and experience in broadcasting and journalism have helped me get to this point, but I really don’t know if they checked the box because I’m a black woman. I would hope not. But no, I’m not a DEI employee.”
Tennille McCoy – Member of the New Jersey House of Representatives:
“Woke means being informed about the unique issues facing your community.”
“Of course I have a black job! (laughs.) As an African-American, I am a representative from New Jersey. And I am the first person of color to hold this seat in the 14th Congress.th District.”
“No, I am not a DEI employee. I have an MBA from the London School of Economics. I have done the work.”
Kyle Adams — Political Strategist:
“Woke is someone who is educated and knows exactly how politics affects him and his community, especially what role systems have played in his life.”
“I believe I have a job for black people. I like my job, it’s a good job for black people, and I really enjoy it. As a strategist who works primarily on political campaigns with black candidates in the state of Alabama, I consider it an important job for black people.”
“I don’t think I’m eligible for a DEI position. I work at a predominantly Black company, and I’m interested in what a DEI position would look like at a Black-owned company.”
Sean Ryan — Communications Specialist:
“Woke means being incredibly aware of the systemic inequalities that uphold white supremacy and continue to perpetuate the Jim Crow era. By and large, woke just means being vigilant and attacking injustice. The term is being weaponized by the other side in ways that are counterproductive, harmful and problematic.”
“I definitely have a black job. Every job is a black job, and for me as a communications specialist, this is certainly a black job.”
“I am a DEI employee. I am diverse and equal opportunity.”
Laurie Antonin – Advocacy Content Writer:
“I have a love/hate relationship with the word ‘woke.’ That word has reached an expiration date. At that moment, it was important for people to understand where they see themselves in the current moment if they need to know what’s going on… If we have to come up with terms to get people there faster, I think that’s a positive thing. But I also think we need to gradually think of new ways to get people there.”
“Yeah, damn it, I have a job as a black man. I have a great job! I have the kind of job that everyone wants to have… we’ve been creators since the beginning of time. And I love how we take that word and define it and give it meaning and value so that it says more about ourselves.”
“I’m absolutely not a DEI person. I created the space I’m in. I do this to create content and change the way people live their lives every day.”
