Little White Lies Read Online Free Page A

were white, but that’s not why I do not want to hire you.”
    The pencil drops, the fingers drum a rapid-fire staccato beat.
    “That is, what I mean to say is… it’s nothing personal. It’s just that I do not think you would fit in. Please try to understand, Mr. Richards, everyone here is black. And you, or the person who would be in this position, that is, ah… would be running the place. And that would mean, ah, that all the staff would be black, and the boss would be white, and… “
    The pencil once again becomes a baton and twirls expertly on the tips of his fingers without conscious effort.
    I watch with interest as A.J. struggles manfully with the task before him. How is he going to get this dumb white guy to understand the problem without appearing to be prejudiced? I decide to help out. It’s just my nature. Say what you will you can’t fault me for being insensitive at tender moments like this.
    “I understand part of what you are saying, but I thought this was a staff position reporting to you and that you would continue to be in charge.”
    “Well, of course, that’s true, but it still means the person who would be in charge most of the time, the person giving the orders, would be y…” Catching himself just in time, he quickly corrects the near-error with, “would be the person who would fill this position. Hey, like I said, it’s nothing personal, please try to understand.”
    Nothing personal, huh? How many other white applicants are sitting here in this room? I look around, but fail to see anyone else. Now I know a little more about how some poor black guy must feel when a white boss is dumping a load of horseshit on him about all the reasons he can’t have the job. I’m at a point now where I can let things conclude graciously or I can go doggedly forward. Mama said there’d be days like this.
    “Let’s not beat around the bush, Mr. Jackson,” I say with a smile that is hardly indicative of my feelings at the moment. “If you do not want to hire a white man, just say so, and I will be on my way. In fact, I guess that’s what you are saying. As far as I’m concerned, you are entitled to hire anyone you want. Further, you should be able to make this decision based upon any reason or set of reasons you deem to be important.
    I have only two requests: the first is that you do not waste my time; the second is that you do not bullshit me. I’m white and I cannot change that. I don’t think I would want to in any case. I don’t have the intestinal fortitude to put up with all the stuff black people have to deal with every day of their lives. But if you want the best person for the job and you are going to base your decision on real qualifications and not degree of blackness… then you should hire me. If you’re out to hire the best black man you can find, then I do not qualify. I don’t today and I won’t tomorrow. But if you want to solve your problem, then I should get serious consideration.
    “However, before going that far, I would have to be in a position to accept the job and based upon what I’ve heard so far, I don’t think I would.”
    “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” he snaps back at me. “Are you here for the job or not?”
    The pencil skids across the desk surface and slams into a manila folder, bouncing teeter-totter fashion before coming to rest.
    “That’s correct,” I reply quietly… after all, I don’t want this interview to turn into a shouting match. “I’m here for the job, but the only thing we have discussed so far is that I am white. And, I might add, when I came here, I didn’t know you were black.”
    The only way to finish a comment like that is to stick out my tongue and blow him a big, juicy raspberry.
    His head wouldn’t have to go back much faster and he would have a guaranteed case of whiplash. A.J. sits back with a sullen look on his face… he looks a little frustrated and a lot pissed.
    “Give me one good reason why I