There is nothing more illogical than the restriction of people based on notions of exclusion because of race or sex. It really does not make sense to me. TO YOU?

STORY # I

She was selected one of two candidates for chancellor of a famous institution. Her record was impeccable. She was a professor emeritus, often published in scholarly journals and had a Ph,D. in Public Administration. But unknown to her, even though she was a finalist, the decision had already been made to hire the man. (All but o~\e of the 8omd of tKustees wete Men) ~is vey psiya~e ~easons, "Woman are too fragile", "The institution is not ready for a woman yet...maybe in ten years." "We need to go slowly", "He has more connections", "He has a proven track record", "Some people might be uncomfortable dealing with a woman".

NOTE: She was hired by another famous institution. She is challenged and happy.

Question: In your mind's eye, what nationality is the woman? Is she old or young or someplace in between? Is she fat or slim or some place in between? Is her significant other a woman or a man? Where does she come from? Where does she live? BE HONEST! WHOM DO YOU SEE? WHY DO YOU SEE?

STORY # 2

She had worked her way up from clerk to manager. She was the first black and the only black to hold such a position in this particular system. The vice president's spot had just become vacant. She applied. She got it. She was happy.

She began noticing that the people working for her referred to new corporate policies, policies she had not heard about. She found out that the president had a "friend" working at the corporation. The "friend" relayed policies to employees, undermining the new vice president's decision making. Mistakes were made. Her stress level went up as well as her high blood pressure.

One day the president came to her and said that he had been hearing rumors and that he was here to warn her. Her job was on the line. That evening at dinner at a famous restaurant, she, overheard a conversation. She recognized the president's grave voice. Her name was mentioned. He said that it was not his decision to make her vice president and did not think that she was really qualified, but that due to affirmative action and the Board of Trustees' decision, she was "it". He added that she would never have his job because a black woman could not "handle" it. She asked her companion go to the bathroom. He confirmed that it was, indeed, the president.

Choose One Ending From the Following

A. She took a stress leave and filed suit for discrimination. She could not prove it.

B. She took a stress leave and filed suit for discrimination. She won and settled out of court.
C. She told the president that she knew about his "friend" on the staff. She also told him about intentions to sue if she were not allowed to continue to work at her potential. He apologized and removed his "friend". She was successful.

D. She orchestrated putting a "friend" on the president's staff. She knew in advance what the new policies were. She had already implemented them before the vice president's "friend" knew. The president was stifled.

E. She resigned and became Vice President of a very solvented corporation. She was named President in two years.

Some Of Us Do Make It To The Top Of Our Chosen Career Fields,
But What Price Do We Pay To Get There?
When women and men are confronted with "understandings" set in place to prevent their rising to their full potential by the "powers that be", this is called a glass ceiling. This term is a New Age discrimination description for racism, sexism and other isms. Understanding glass ceilings and how they work does not prevent them or destroy them. Exposing them is sometimes hard to do because the proponents and participants are clever, smart (sometimes) and in control (or so they think).
I find "glass ceilings" Intolerable, unjustified and inhibiting for the participants as well as the victims.
This Installation Is a comment.