racial injustice for another race Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have an interview with a public interest organization coming up. They fight against racial injustice for a particular race, of which I do not belong. This isn't a hiring issue because I know they do hire people who are not of that race. The problem is the "why do you want to work here" question.

My personal answer is more general - I care about equality so any inequality is important to me (no matter which group is being targeted), so I would fight for any group.

I don't think they'd be satisfied with this, because generally, public interest interviews really harp on and on about "do you really care about our cause", "why us, specifically". I think they would want me to give an answer for why fight for their PARTICULAR group, and additionally, why join their PARTICULAR organization for the fight.

Sure, groups that I personally belong to would get more preference from me just because it's more personal, but this is not a group I personally belong to, so that preference wouldn't apply here.

I feel really uncomfortable talking about the struggle of a particular race without being part of that race, unless it's in a more general "aim for equality" attitude. But to advocate that I care more about a specific race's issues than all other races, without a personal connection, seems really disingenuous. Like I can't think of any valid reasons I can give for why I care about their PARTICULAR struggle.

How are people supposed to tackle this question?

[Anonymous User]

My sense is such organization prefer people who are not of the race/religion being fought for, so I think you're fine.

[QContinuum]

My sense is such organization prefer people who are not of the race/religion being fought for, so I think you're fine.

Are you seriously suggesting that, say, the NAACP has a preference for hiring white lawyers over black lawyers? That the ACLU prefers hiring Christian lawyers to non-Christians? That Planned Parenthood prefers hiring men over women?

To the OP, I think you'll be fine with an answer about why you're passionate about advancing equality. If you're white, for Pete's sake don't try to conjure up some reason why you personally identify with African-Americans (a'la Rachel Dolezal).

[Anonymous User]

My sense is such organization prefer people who are not of the race/religion being fought for, so I think you're fine.

Are you seriously suggesting that, say, the NAACP has a preference for hiring white lawyers over black lawyers? That the ACLU prefers hiring Christian lawyers to non-Christians? That Planned Parenthood prefers hiring men over women?

To the OP, I think you'll be fine with an answer about why you're passionate about advancing equality. If you're white, for Pete's sake don't try to conjure up some reason why you personally identify with African-Americans (a'la Rachel Dolezal).

I misworded that. I meant to say that they like diversity in their employees. So yes the NAACP does not want all-African American lawyers and would like to add lawyers of other races.

I think it's perfectly find to list sincere reasons why you empathize with African Americans or whatever group you'll be representing. What Rachel Dolezal did, that was wrong, was that she said she was black.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Idk I'm really struggling with this. The answer of being passionate to promote equality just doesn't seem specific or in depth enough. It doesn't explain why you are passionate about it, and why this particular cause as opposed to other organizations that represent other races..

The last PI interview I had wasn't satisfied with a general answer like that. They kept pushing me on it, kept asking why why why and it made me feel uncomfortable. There's only so much one can explain about why one cares about something. Usually there's no specific reason, we care because we are human beings with empathy, what do you want me to say! It's like asking someone "why do you feel sad if a puppy dies?" the only answer to that is an explanation dealing with psychology and neuroscience.

So, I have spent most of my interview prep trying to come up with answers and am always dissatisfied, some of them are too emo, some are way too in depth I feel (explaining sociological concepts) and I just tell myself I'm overdoing it. It would be patronizing for me to give them a lecture on the sociological impacts of this stuff. They obviously already understand that, which is why they created the organization in the first place.

I really hate this, I prefer interviews where I talk about myself, my credentials, my experience, like firm interviews. I want them to hire me based on my qualifications. I don't feel comfortable being all emotional and getting into sob stories or dramatics about how messed up the world is. That's like something lawyers do for closing statements, which is another thing I don't like doing. I'm fine bitching about social problems with my friends, but not in a professional setting like an interview.

[d3909615]

OP here. Idk I'm really struggling with this. The answer of being passionate to promote equality just doesn't seem specific or in depth enough. It doesn't explain why you are passionate about it, and why this particular cause as opposed to other organizations that represent other races..

The last PI interview I had wasn't satisfied with a general answer like that. They kept pushing me on it, kept asking why why why and it made me feel uncomfortable. There's only so much one can explain about why one cares about something. Usually there's no specific reason, we care because we are human beings with empathy, what do you want me to say! It's like asking someone "why do you feel sad if a puppy dies?" the only answer to that is an explanation dealing with psychology and neuroscience.

So, I have spent most of my interview prep trying to come up with answers and am always dissatisfied, some of them are too emo, some are way too in depth I feel (explaining sociological concepts) and I just tell myself I'm overdoing it. It would be patronizing for me to give them a lecture on the sociological impacts of this stuff. They obviously already understand that, which is why they created the organization in the first place.

I really hate this, I prefer interviews where I talk about myself, my credentials, my experience, like firm interviews. I want them to hire me based on my qualifications. I don't feel comfortable being all emotional and getting into sob stories or dramatics about how messed up the world is. That's like something lawyers do for closing statements, which is another thing I don't like doing. I'm fine bitching about social problems with my friends, but not in a professional setting like an interview.

You're trying too hard. Life is not about finding the magic words to open a door, it's about being where you're wanted and fit naturally. If I were you I would take a "que sera sera" attitude ASAP before you drive yourself nuts.

[nixy]

Couldn’t you talk about the kinds of specific issues that this group faces and talk about how they’re a problem for society? I.e. if you’re talking about African Americans, the need to eradicate the legacy of slavery/concerns about over-incarceration; or if you’re talking about Muslims, the importance of supporting religious freedom; or the like? Those aren’t great nuanced answers because I don’t know what employers you’re talking about, but something more specific to the group/cause you’re addressing might help. The impact of over-incarceration. The long-term effects of economic injustice. Use the answer to show that you have specific knowledge about their specific issues beyond just “promoting equality.”

Also frankly they’re probably interested in personal experiences. I know this sounds terribly “I have black friends,” but did you have a friend experience racism first hand? Did you ever experience something sort of analogous that inspired you to address that kind of inequality, specifically? These answers can be dangerous bc they can be very bad (“I went on a school trip to the inner city and saw how terrible it is!”), but it can be a way to get at what led you to a given area.

[nixy]

Also part of the point of PI hiring is finding true believers (in part because the money and resources aren’t going to keep people for long). So if you don’t like that emotional side, you may not enjoy the field (and I get that there’s a balance and that you can make significant contributions without it being all about the emotional stuff, but still, it plays a reasonably big role).

[Anonymous User]

Couldn’t you talk about the kinds of specific issues that this group faces and talk about how they’re a problem for society? I.e. if you’re talking about African Americans, the need to eradicate the legacy of slavery/concerns about over-incarceration; or if you’re talking about Muslims, the importance of supporting religious freedom; or the like? Those aren’t great nuanced answers because I don’t know what employers you’re talking about, but something more specific to the group/cause you’re addressing might help. The impact of over-incarceration. The long-term effects of economic injustice. Use the answer to show that you have specific knowledge about their specific issues beyond just “promoting equality.”

Also frankly they’re probably interested in personal experiences. I know this sounds terribly “I have black friends,” but did you have a friend experience racism first hand? Did you ever experience something sort of analogous that inspired you to address that kind of inequality, specifically? These answers can be dangerous bc they can be very bad (“I went on a school trip to the inner city and saw how terrible it is!”), but it can be a way to get at what led you to a given area.

Regarding the personal experiences, would being a member of a different minority group be relevant? Like on one hand it makes sense to say, I experienced discrimination as a Mexican American, so I want to fight against discrimination, but on the other hand, it seems like a moot response because that still doesn't explain why you want to work for an organization fighting for the African American community as opposed to one fighting for the Mexican American community.

EDIT: the communities mentioned are just examples, and may or may not disclose the true nature of the job

[nixy]

I feel like at that point one option is to pivot to the strengths of the particular organization you’re interviewing with (“As a [MA or whatever], I’ve seen first hand the effects of racism [give example]. I’m particularly interested in your efforts to combat racism by [give specifics of cool things the organization is doing] and I have [describe pertinent experience, if you can] in that area.”

I really don’t think anyone will go so specific as to ask “why [this group] instead of your group?”, but I would think you could say something about how combating racism [or whatever is appropriate] for one group helps all groups (and again, their organization is just so amazing who wouldn’t want to work for it!).

I do think you might be overthinking this a little, in that I really don’t think people will ask directly “why this group and not your group,” and that in your fear about answering that you might be missing opportunities to show what you know/can offer. When they ask “why here” chances are good they’re not actually asking “why not work for your group,” they just really want to know what draws you to their cause.

[BeeTeeZ]

I have an interview with a public interest organization coming up. They fight against racial injustice for a particular race, of which I do not belong. This isn't a hiring issue because I know they do hire people who are not of that race. The problem is the "why do you want to work here" question...How are people supposed to tackle this question?

Often discrete legal issue(s) impact particular race(s) more than others, so focusing on the legal issue(s) can sometimes address the "why this race" for you. For example, if the organization is attempting to reform voter ID Laws that disproportionately impact blacks, you could focus your answer on how voting rights are integral to democratic voice/process, that you find the legal issues involved intellectually stimulating, and that helping disenfranchised citizens regain political agency would be deeply fulfilling for you.

If they say "why do you want to help blacks?" just say something to the effect of, "voting rights are something I'm passionate about, and right now blacks are disproportionately impacted by structural barriers, so that is the community I want to get involved in." In other words, make the legal issue(s) your primary interest, with the racial group being the secondary interest that is implicated by the legal issue(s).

I think an answer to that effect would come across as genuine even to a skeptical interviewer.