Black Life in Corporate America

To put it simply the corporate world is a place where "truthiness" reigns. In the corporation, the motto may be Honesty and Hardwork but what they don't tell you is that this doesn't apply to everyone. For African Americans we're taught that if you work hard, go to school, and get a nice job that everything will be all right and you'll live a good life. Well, yes and no. This is only part of the equation. Unfortunately, if you don't have someone to mentor you in the fallacy of the corporate meritocracy , the petty pecking order, and the small daily humiliations you may endure, then you'll be in store for a serious culture shock. So the book says, yes, work hard but there is a significant amount of cultural nonsense that you may experience or witness. It gives examples of people who have chosen to stay in the corporate arena and their perspective and motivations for continuing in this career field - largely attributed to their compensation. By no means is it a negative, "whoa is me" pity party on paper. This is an intelligently written book that all minorities should read to get a primer before or during their corporate careers. If open minded, majority readers should take a look at it to view what is going on from another perspective. This book is not a manual to surviving the corporate world as an African American. It is a collection of observations that explores the, "Why is this happening?". In effect, it will let you know that you are not alone in your own observations within the corporate world. While reading it, I laughed out loud at some of the examples. Largely, because I have experienced what was being written or witnessed it first hand as it happened to someone else. Though the book was written in the early 1980s, it proves that theres "Some things have changed and some things have not." I highly recommend this easy to read and understand book on a very complex and politically incorrect topic.

After reading this book it should serve as the catylst for further reading on the up and downside to the pursuant of the ambigious corporate atmosphere. This book deals ardently with the pyscho-social dynamics that affect people of color although written in 1981 it remains still relevant today. This is a must read for any young or seasoned corporate professional. More importantly "People of Conscience" whether of color or without should READ!!!!!!!!!!

This book is timeless. I first read it in the late eighties and the subject matter still applies today. A must read for all African Americans who want to succeed in business.

This book is a must for all blacks entering corporate America. Being in corporate america in this day and age(2000). I feel the same mores and stigmas white america has portrayed blacks as in the 1800's still in this new millineum. This book is truly enlightening and is a source of light to let me know that the struggle is far from over. ALL BLACKS PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! FIND A COPY YOU MUST BE ENLIGHTENED.