The Diary of a Black Man - The Search for a Soul Mate
Come into the soul of a black man
Chapter Two
Chapter 2
My name is Da’marreon Jackson and I’m 24-years-old. Last month, I received my Master of Science Degree in Chemistry from
Last week, I applied for a job online as a chemist at Hickens Chemical Company. Hickens Chemical Company is one of the oldest chemical companies in the
People often say, “Hickens Chemical Company is so damn old, that George Washington and Mr. Hickens were best friends during the American Revolutionary War.”
This company is known for discriminating against African Americans. It has 240 employees and only 15 of them are black, and out of that, five of them are bi-racial. In
In the past, Hickens Chemical Company didn’t believe in hiring African Americans; but if you were lucky enough to get a job there, you would only have a choice of three positions; a research tech, a production worker, or a janitor.
Now, it’s time for me to add a little chocolate to their chemical research department. The time has come for them to hire a professional African American man, but not as a research tech, a production worker, or as a janitor. It’s time for them to hire one as a chemist.
Today is my big day, because I have an interview at Hickens Chemical Company, and I’m very excited. I’m ready to start living the good life. Getting this job is very important to me. This is the first major goal in my life; finding a good job. My mother has always told me to pray and claim what I wanted in life. Therefore, I get down on my knees, say a prayer, and claim this job. Then, I head out for my interview with Bob Ricks, the Director of Human Resources.
I’ve talked to Mr. Ricks on the phone on several occasions and for some reason I believe he thinks I’m a white man. But, I guess I’ll find out in the next couple of hours exactly what he thinks of a black man applying for the job. I arrive an hour early for my interview, because I want to impress Mr. Ricks. However, I have a funny feeling this is not going to be a good day for me. While driving through the entrance gate at Hickens Chemical Company, I see the Confederate Flag flying proudly against the wind right next to the old red, white, and
“Damn,” I say to myself while staring at the Confederate Flag. “How in the hell could I forget I’m in the heart of Klan Ville? But, I must stand my ground if I want this job.”
Two years ago, they hung a brother down the street from here for no reason at all and there’s no way in hell I’m going to let them do that to me. I reach under my seat and search for my gun. I grab the gun handle, quickly remove it from under my seat, and place it under my right leg. If things get out of hand, I have no problem using it.
I stop driving and roll down my window at the security guard’s booth. A fat white security guard opens his window, digs in his nasty ass, takes out a large coffee can, and spits into the can. From the way he smells, I can tell he has not had his weekly bath. Flies are flying around him as if he’s their king and they’ll attack me to protect him. I know this is sad to believe, but he probably has a woman at home. He starts talking to me with about a pound of chewing tobacco in his mouth.
“Boy, what can I do for your black ass today?” He proudly says to me in his confederate patriotic voice.
I pause for a second, because I know he did not say to me what I think he said. Then, I start looking at him like he’s crazy as hell. I really want to get out of this car and beat the shit out of him. However, if I do that, it will take me two days of non-stop bathing for me to stop smelling like him. So, I’m going to play this I’m a scary black man game with him. I reply the way he expects me to reply, because I know he does not have any respect for a black man.
“Yes sir boss man, this boy has an interview with Mr. Ricks.” I say with a big smile on my face. After that, I quickly lose my smile, change my voice, and start talking ghetto because today he has met his match. There’s no way in hell, I’m going to let him degrade me without saying anything.
Sometimes you have to put people back in their place, and the time has come for him to be put back in his place. Just because a brother is educated, doesn’t mean he can’t act a damn fool from time to time. I angrily start talking to his nasty ass with my hand on my gun, and I’m ready to use it just in case he makes a wrong move.
“Listen you fat, red neck, stinking mother-fucker! You have me all fucked up. And, if you ever call me a boy again; I will get out of this car and kick your mother-fucking fat ass. Now, let’s start this shit over. And, if you say one wrong word; this will be a day that you remember for the rest of your life. Because this brother, or let me rephrase it so you can understand, this black ass boy, will beat the shit out of you.”
I pause for a few moments to calm down and let what I said sink in before starting over. Then, I start talking to him with a smirk grin on my face. “Hello, my name is Mr. Jackson. I have an interview with Mr. Ricks.”
He stops chewing his tobacco and stares at me with his mouth wide open. Tobacco spit starts dripping down the side of his mouth.
“Yeah stupid ass fat boy,” I say in a proud way. “I’m that brother your parents forgot to tell you about.”
