The Term "Token AGGIN"


Dr. Sweet NUPE

Dr. Sweet NUPE

New Member
I have a real big problem with this term. :redhot:

Why is it that when an African American is the only black in an employment situation he/she is considered to be the "Token AGGIN," instead of being a brother/sister that worked hard to break down the walls?:idea:

You see on previous employment I was the first African Amercian male in my division, I worked hard every single day and furthermore I got more "behind the back talking" from my fellow African Americans as to why I take lunch with my co-workers instead of them. My reasons were simple, this is business. PERIOD. Food on my table, bills paid, my Church dues are extremely important.

Now I am one of only 8 African American Ph.D students in my program. Am I the "Token AGGIN?" "LLLL" no I worked hard to be here and furthermore I've earned it.

What's the deal with the term "Token AGGIN?"
 
Huh?

I've never heard of that term? What's it mean?

Still, it sounds negative (as any other "token" is), and if you don't like it, it shouldn't be used on you. Most of the productive, successful world is filled with a diverse group of people, particularly whites. So if you have to spend time with whites to help you get ahead, what's the problem? As long as you're not abusing your fellow blacks or neglecting your roots.

EDIT: OHHH, it's backwards. Oops, I'm bein a lil slow. :blush: It's still WRONG
 



Originally posted by Dr. Sweet NUPE
I have a real big problem with this term. :redhot:

Why is it that when an African American is the only black in an employment situation he/she is considered to be the "Token AGGIN," instead of being a brother/sister that worked hard to break down the walls?:idea:

You see on previous employment I was the first African Amercian male in my division, I worked hard every single day and furthermore I got more "behind the back talking" from my fellow African Americans as to why I take lunch with my co-workers instead of them. My reasons were simple, this is business. PERIOD. Food on my table, bills paid, my Church dues are extremely important.

Now I am one of only 8 African American Ph.D students in my program. Am I the "Token AGGIN?" "LLLL" no I worked hard to be here and furthermore I've earned it.

What's the deal with the term "Token AGGIN?"
Click to expand...

Well, first of all, we as a people need to make up our minds what the hell we want.
 
"Token Nicka" is definitely not meant as a complement. It's about the company you work for. Only they know why they hired you. If it was for reasons other than your skills, like to say that we have a black on staff, then you are a token. Don't matter how skilled you are. You'd be no different than the first brotha admitted as a member of a once exclusive country club that's trying to get a PGA tourney event.

I don't know your situation. But, do you even talk to the "others". You say you lunch with your white co-workers because it's your job. Does your job require that???? I don't lunch with my co-workers. I lunch with my friends, if I can. If it happens to be a co-worker, so be it. If you lost your job because you didn't lunch with co-workers, they didn't want yo azz noway.

Only you know whether you act differently towards the blacks you come in contact with at your job. Are they employed with the same company in another division??? If they are, maybe they knew something about that division prior to you joining. Maybe they know the company knew it had to add some color to that division. Maybe that's why they say you were a token nicka. I'm just grasping at straws.

Thing is, you seem to mention these type things alot. If a lot of different people are concluding the same thing, you might wanna check yourself. Only you know that.
 
Man, I just SMH when people use terms such as Token, Uncle Tom and Sellout. "L" I know mofos that will call you a sell out if you went to college, I know mofos that will call you an uncle tom if you defend or agreee with a white person over a black person in any endeavor. I had this one girl call me a sellout for being a republican and get this, the Bia is 29 years old aint even registered to vote. I then explained to her that she can't be a democrat if she is not registered to vote, she then said that her one vote does'nt count. I laughed so hard I cried.

But, I would always consider the source, If a gold tooth laden, drug pushing Junebug off the block calls me a Token I consider it a badge of honor. If my family says it then, I would be concerned. "L", it's all relative
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 
Playing devil's advocate... What makes you think you are not? How do you know for sure that you were hired for your merits? We don't do we? You very well may be good at what you do but can we really say that those who are in the position to hire us are looking at our merits or our skin?:(
 
Originally posted by jelli
Playing devil's advocate... What makes you think you are not? How do you know for sure that you were hired for your merits? We don't do we? You very well may be good at what you do but can we really say that those who are in the position to hire us are looking at our merits or our skin?:(
Click to expand...

If you constantly look at the situation and say I was hired as the token then what type of opinion do you have of yourself?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top