A white woman hears a black co-worker complain about stomach problems, which his doctor says are aggravated by stress. She offers him a guided relaxation tape to help reduce his stress level. A few days later he returns the tape to the woman and thanks her. The following dialogue takes place.

Her:   How did you like the tape?
Him:  I couldn’t stand that guy’s voice.
Her:   Really? But he’s black!
Him:  I don’t care what color he is! I didn’t like it.

Question for the reader: What could have been upsetting to the black co-worker about the statement "Really? But he's black!"?

View Commentary to African American Vignette #3

Go to next vignette >>

<<Return to Vignette Index

(Return to Home)