She got her hair pressed for this. She spent $80 out of her student loan refund money to get her hair pressed for this. She paid $80 at the only black hair salon near her apartment so she would not be late to get her hair straightened to sit and wait for this interview.
Not just any interview; The Interview. The Interview the rest of her law school classmates would kill for. The Interview she not so casually mentioned all week to her classmates. The Interview, that garners the typical, “how did YOU get THAT Interview,” response.
Nevertheless, here she sits. Waiting for The Interview as her straight hair’s straight shelf life swiftly diminishes. She tries not to stare as the suits glide past her. Each suit’s pair of eyes scans her from top to bottom; all pairs landing at the bottom.
“What is she doing here? Is the firm taking on pro bono clients now? Did we start a criminal defense practice group? Maybe another suit is looking for a secretary?” they think.
She dares to meet their pairs. They smile, of course. Smile that, I had a black friend once smile. Smile that, it’s only the bad ones from the news that alarm me, smile. You know the ones from the news.
But she’s not quite the ones from the news. Pleasant looking. Her hair is straight, not big ghetto curly hair begging for attention. It’s professional. After giving her existence in this office some thought, they’ve decided they are okay with it. They don’t see color. They smile at all pleasant looking people; even if they are black. “Not everything is about race. In fact most things are despite of race. This pleasant looking girl, black girl, is here despite of her race, which they didn’t notice of course. That’s progress.“ they think.
“I’ll take you back now. The Interview will be through here”, He says smiling.
Why, is He even interviewing this girl? He doesn’t think she will fit in with the culture here. Also his buddy told him his kid is looking for an internship. His buddy’s kid’s grades and writing sample are fine. Surely his mentorship will make up for the kid’s writing skills.
He internally groans as she keeps bragging. Top of the class this, writing award that; scholarship. His buddy mentioned his kid is humble. The kid’s already a better culture fit here. This firm hires humble guys from great families who focus on their work and not their accomplishments.
“Thank you for the opportunity. I hope to hear from you soon,” she says.
In the elevator, she pats her edges. She replays every answer to every question on the subway ride home. She believes The Interview went well. She suspects he was impressed when she mentioned her grades and writing awards. He mentioned the firm has a humble and just get the work done culture. She likes that. She wonders if she will hear back.