One story comes to mind, I was stationed at a facility and assigned a project with a fellow employee. This gentleman carried himself as though he were untouchable the world owed him, their thanks for his presence, as well as others in his presence were lucky to amuse him. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I had more professional experience, as well as educational merit related to this project, and he did. There will be times that I would come into the office preparing to work on the project and he would continuously play pranks and jokes on the other coworkers that visibly were confused with his actions within a professional setting. He even went as far as two bring actual children’s toys into the office to play with at his desk during work hours. One day he decided to ask me some candid questions. He would approach me and asked me if I had gone to college, there in which I would answer yes, and state my university. In disbelief, he dismissed my answers and snarky tone he would go on to ask my major background and levels of experience.
As I can see where he was going with his line of questioning, I began to list off all my accolades from my academic career. Listing several research opportunities, several contracts with NASA over the years, years of experience in IT and cyber with the university, I attended, research for both the Navy and the Army, etc. The look on his face afterwards was priceless. He had come to realize that whatever stereotypes he envisioned me as I was not as such. And for all the antics that he had been displaying in the office, he was coming off as the lesser of us two. And this did not sit well with him. And despite all his efforts, when the project was finalized, it was still my work and my professionalism that shined through. It’s in those moments that I take those experiences to validate my strength of character and sense of self-worth over others’ views.
This would not be the first time that those are another race would view me in a professional setting as not belonging. They would even be as bold as to vocalize it directly in front of me and remain silent once the reality was revealed.

I witnessed a woman complaining on her phone about not receiving a position that she thought she would be receiving. She went on and on to complain about the person hired in her place was a diversity higher that only was given the position due to them being from an impoverished community and, low-income status. And that this position was taken from her in order to provide them with an opportunity from them an escape from their environment. Unknown to her, I was aware of whom was hired in her stead. Someone had worked extremely hard to get to the position that she was in. One who achieved receiving 2 degrees, working on a third as a doctorate candidate, had several publications and was now on the verge of adding this accomplishment to her already stacked résumé as becoming a new hire for a prestigious company. Though I knew little of her background I was disgusted, because that should not have played any part into her considerations. As her merits alone warranted her the greatest of regard. As I continue to hear this lady speak non-truths, she would reveal that her main consideration for this position was knowing an individual that currently worked for the company. I had never witnessed this level of self-entitlement up until this point. Yes, there are those situations when it is not what you know but who you know. But in this instance, it was clear to me that this was not one of those moments and knowledge was needed. So, I would mention it aloud, so much so that she could hear. “Maybe the candidate hired had more levels of experience, more suitable credentials for the position desired to be filled… As opposed to other than just being a familiar face….” She could not believe that I was brash enough to state aloud such a blatant rebottle to her apparent lies, but even more so calling her out on her lack of credibility to even be considered for the position. She knew she was caught in her storytelling, attempting to garner sympathy from the recipient on the other end of the phone. She was dumbfounded, and yet could not really respond or refute my claims. And walked off in embarrassment. Yet another lesson learned, no matter your achievements, or accolades, others will self-justify their self-worth greater than yours. But it is the showing improving them wrong that stings even worse to them.

One other interesting situation happened, where I had taken my puppy for an early morning trip to an outdoor dog retreat. I was one of maybe two other owners there just enjoying the scenery and getting some exercise. More people started to arrive. We all started to congregate together and talk to each other. I just so happen to be the only Black individual there which wasn’t an issue for me. One of the attendees turn to one of the other white gentlemen there and asked, “Are you the NASA Engineer!?” There in which he answered no. He would begin to ask other people in the group, “Is it you? I see the bumper sticker on the back of one of the cars in the parking lot. I have always been interested in space and it would be cool to say I’ve met someone that actually works close to it…” He was so excited in his curiosity. Which was nice to see. I admire curiosity for knowledge. But still one by one he continued to ask all with the same response. Yet he would never look in my direction nor attempt to approach me with the same question. Before I would interject into the conversation, he would attempt to conclude the topic by saying “…oh I guess it’s just one of those random bumper stickers anyone could place on the back of a car then….”
Before allowing him to quickly change the subjects I would step forward and admit that the vehicle and sticker was mine. And it was not in jest, but an actuality. That I indeed worked for the agency and was gifted the sticker as a part of my work onboarding. He would respond “Oh, it’s you?” With a confused look on his face. To my reply, “Yes, for four years now. Is that so hard to believe?” He continued by asking “As an engineer?...”, in a disbelieving manner and tone. Realizing his line of questioning, some of the other attendees noticed his tone and condescending approach to his line of questioning. In disgust, they would call him out on why he questioned my validity but had no issue with any of them being that the engineers of his imagination. I would offer a slight laugh, and smirkingly answer “Yes engineer, and more…” In delight of witnessing his displeasure, all the other visitors gravitated around me, and left our rude inquisitor alone and isolated. Every would then ask questions about my experiences with the agency. Asking me if I could divulge any secrets that I had witnessed, show them many pictures I may have had of cool things I had seen, and overall genuine interest in meeting me… and my dog. Again, this is another lesson witnessed, that those will bury themselves and show their true intentions given every chance to., and not everyone has a negative heart towards their fellow man.

These are just some situations I have experienced where I did not allow it to get under my skin or disrupt my focus. I am proud of who I am, how far I have come, where I am going, and above all the skin I am in. The skepticism, disbelief, and animosity directed towards me for just being, only serves to fortify my resolve, as I know my worth. I am not one who likes to boast and brag but will when given the opportunity to do so in the face of those deserving from their hate or disbelief of me… and find it is satisfying.