Competency checking is a practice in modern workplaces that disproportionately targets Black professionals and people of color by questioning their qualifications and intelligence. It manifests in three main ways: the presumption of intellectual inferiority leading to micromanagement; expressions of surprise at Black intelligence that invite skepticism; and fear of Black authority, often resulting in rejection of Black leadership. While this scrutiny can extend to other marginalized groups, historical and cultural factors explain why Black individuals are most heavily impacted by these biases in professional environments.
The first form of competency checking involves an assumption of Black intellectual inferiority, leading to low expectations and extreme micromanagement in professional settings.
The second method of competency checking often reveals surprise at Black displays of intelligence, which can trigger demands for proof or confirmation of knowledge.
A third form of competency checking is activation, where individuals feel fear in response to Black authority figures, leading to defensive behaviors and rejection.
While competency checking can affect various demographics, historical factors uniquely position Black people to experience it more intensively in the workplace.
#workplace-discrimination #racism #black-professionals #competency-checking #equality-in-the-workplace
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