Summary

In “How to Be The Black Employee” Thurston recounts his telecommunications and media consulting work after Harvard. In corporate America, Thurston writes, black people have two jobs—the one they were hired for and another that includes the ability to speak for the black community and defend the company against charges of racism. He speaks to The Black Employee with advice, such as when asked what one thinks about a race related situation, one can avoid the question and keep a polite work environment, confront and risk being left alone in the office, or answer honestly. The latter is a mistake, Thurston believes, bringing the answerer down a rabbit hole of many questions that will interfere with completing the job for which one was hired. The company also benefits from a black employee in its diversity committees, company photos, and career fairs. Additional...