I thought you were white on the phone
Bruce Flippens, Washington DC. I was told that by the first man who hired me when I left the Army. He hired me because of...
Oh I see, you’re Mr. Crawford.
Emmett Crawford Jr., Detroit, MI. Because of my resume and my phone voice, I was given an interview for a job.
Over the phone, I’m just American.
Reginald Daniel New York, NY It’s amazing what one hears when the other presumes they are speaking with someone of the same race.
You sound like a black person
Leslie Morris Roanoke, VA I am in management at one of the top insurance companies in the United States and this was the ignorant comment...
Oh…you don’t sound Japanese-American.
Lyndon Narita, Novato, CA. After assisting a customer over the phone, they commented that my name, Lyndon, was a nice and uncommon name. They asked...
You don’t really sound black.
Marc Dumas Chicago, IL Growing up going to integrated schools, I’ve always been told this. My response, as drilled into me by my parents, was...
You don’t have an accent.
Susan Lee New York, NY On the phone no one can tell I’m Asian-American, but in person I sometimes elicit this response. Because I am...
You don’t sound like a Mexican
Mary Josephine Huntsman Glendale, CA I have always worked in an office and have had to answer phone calls, so when people come to our...
You didn’t sound black on the phone
Elizabeth Asche Douglas Rochester, NY The first job I got as a teenager, based on my written application and telephone interview, was immediately withdrawn when...
2012, 16, got called a n*****
Kianna Young Sacramento, CA True Story. One day I was walking my dog down the street and talking to a friend on the phone, I...
Michele, I don’t sound Black either.
Michael Steele Fredericksburg, VA Unfortunately, too often I find a stunned look on people’s faces with whom I have only spoken on the phone. Some...
Didn’t sound Chinese on phone
Jenny Braintree, MA I used to work at my dad’s Chinese restaurant answering the phone and taking orders. One time a man came in to...
