Catch-22: ADHD, Work, & the “Black Tax”
By Romanza McAllister, LCSW
As a young girl, my mother told me being born Black meant I had to be exceptional. I had to be three times as good to receive a fraction of what my white colleagues would get. I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at age ten. Despite my challenges with ADHD, “Be the best because nothing comes easy to black folks in America” remained my mother’s mantra.
“Why do Black people always feel the need to be excellent?” complained the character Slim of the impactful Drama/Movie Queen & Slim. “Why can’t we just be ourselves?” Slim says to Queen, on his date gone wrong; as she proudly proclaims to be an excellent lawyer as opposed to just a good one. Queen is an example that being anything less than “exceptional” is costly in the Black American experience. Slim’s character shows us this way of life strips us our right to be vulnerable and most importantly human. This burden and battle cry is very familiar to African Americans and Blacks in America. Many Americans would argue that affirmative action has cured the above, but life looks very different on the other side.
My Black experience, and the experience of those who look like me, is to be second guessed, or dismissed for opportunities. Alongside widespread stereotypes and structural racism, this creates “The Black Tax”. African American/Blacks more so, and many people of color, pay an “emotional tax” in the work place. We navigate an emotional rollercoaster guarding against racial bias. We often lack support from supervisors. We experience microaggressions and flat out discrimination at times compounded by bias around gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and class.
Over time, this daily battle takes a heavy toll and can affect health, well-being, and the ability to thrive at work. At work, I defended myself against back handed compliments and I braced for insults presented as constructive criticism. I made certain to avoid triggering social interactions. When I saw this unfold in job after job, I chose to speak out against mistreatment knowing they’d label me the “Angry Black Woman.”
I had to choose one set of mental health challenges over the other. ADHD had to once again take a backseat as my humanity came first. I knew disclosure of my diagnosis was not an option. Telling my bosses about my ADHD would only lend itself to ugly historical stereotypes of African Americans as incompetent, problematic, and lazy. Back then, the answer was clear. Hide. I continued to struggle silently in plain sight, suffering through long days of waning attention, unmet deadlines, careless mistakes, and mountains of unfinished paperwork.
I decided to pick up the pieces on my own; as I had been instructed do time and time again. This distorted but truthful message was reinforced through the lived experiences of my elders as well through many ineffective/unequal policies to address disadvantages in the black community. It played like a scratched CD (pun intended) “Black people do not have time, or space to grieve and dwell, we simply have to move on.”
I couldn’t risk making mistakes, in the workplace where I was often one of two minorities. The Catch-22: Speak out on injustice and risk my job, or disclose my ADHD and risk my job. “Decisions, decisions.” We all know ADHD often impacts your access to gainful employment and advancement in pay. Professing my ADHD diagnosis was a luxury I as a black woman couldn’t afford.
I was tired of hiding my symptoms. I was tired too of being dismissed by family, friends, and well-meaning clinicians. I searched for support to mitigate shame, racial trauma, depression and burn-out. After trying a few support groups and meeting several clinicians, I stumbled upon the Attention Deficit Disorder Association’s virtual peer support groups. Joining ADDA has been so validating and affirming. There is a certain indescribable beauty in feeling seen and represented. In the end, I chose to nurture the best parts of my ADHD, and I now work for myself. But everyone’s path will be very different.
Since then I’ve gone on to become the group facilitator for the African American/Black Diaspora+ ADHD Virtual Peer Support Group. I am able to further address specific racial, gendered, and cultural needs, while extending that healing, unity and community to others. It feels good to be present in a safe space where we can all remove “The Mask” and find effective ways to heal from, and push back on the effects of the “Black Tax”. We are reinforcing our resilience and self-advocacy while having the hard, meaningful conversations about ADHD and blackness. This support group and “mental health cook-out” as I like to call it, has been integral to my self-care practice.
Our group is growing stronger in numbers, and support for one another to show up and be seen. Some members have seen improvements at work due to advocating for accommodations. Some are still being supported in navigating the very complicated dance of telling their truth. Through all our adaptability to adversity we have displayed resilience and determination. Be that as it may, we just need a space to simply be “ADHDers” having a very human experience while practicing progress over perfection.
Romanza McAllister, LCSW is a Brooklyn, New York-based psychotherapist and ADHD Coach, and serves as a Board Member with the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. For more information, visit: http://mcallisterpsychotherapy.com/
8 Comments
Thanks Romanza for sharing some of your journey. I always appreciate having the opportunity to glimpse into someone else’s world and learn something that opens my eyes and heart to struggles that may be similar or quite different than my own which reminds me to be sensitive to other peoples’ reality, whatever it may be for that person, and look for opportunities to create space for them to comfortably be him or herself.
Thanks Paula. I’m glad to spread awareness and unite people through story telling and honest dialogue. Your feedback speaks to that. We are all united through the human condition. I do however , appreciate your commitment to holding space for others and their unique lived experiences.
Thank you for writing this article and for starting the group. Your experiences sound a lot like mine. I attended one of your support group meetings. It felt soothing to be in a virtual room full of other black people who “get it”. It felt like going to a “home” that accepted me as I am and respected our shared experiences. I heard about the group at a time when I just needed to be in a “safe” place with others who understand and share my ADHD experience. I’m glad I visited and plan to participate more often.
Thank you for the feedback. I’m glad that we were able to provide you with that comfort and visibility. Safety during these trying times and even more so safe spaces are of the highest priority. We get it! Would love to have you back. See you soon.
I can’t believe that there is actually something for Black People in the Mental Health realm. WOW!
Wasn’t it Dave Chappelle that said, “Black people don’t know nuthin about mental health.” Something to that effect, and unfortunately this is very true. We were, and still are, not afforded this important component to being a human being. Even more true for those of us raised/with families from overseas/third world countries. You just supposed to be “A Big Man/Ouman.” Right? … Right! Chuh!
I am newly diagnosed in my late 40’s and learning how this explains my whole life, but different from others I grew up with as I am light skinned black (High Yellow, LOL).
I can’t wait to join my first meeting with you to listen and learn. I hope/expect it to be awesome!
Thank You for the awesome feedback! I’m glad that you felt seen.” You just supposed to be “A Big Man/Ouman.” Right? … Right! Chuh!” The above response lol #bigfacts Let’ push back on that. See you soon.
I did a search for “black adhd” on Facebook and this article came up, along with some of my own videos on YouTube where I share my story about having ADHD. I only got diagnosed last year, and always had a funny relationship with work. It’s been so empowering to get educated and comforting to see other sisters so eloquently share their experience in a raw and real way. Thank you and I’m going to attend one of your workshops. I’d love to connect with you on LinkedIn as well, and I’ll be sharing this article.
Hi Helese. Thank you kindly. Shoot me an email. Lets continue doing this very important work ! Being raw and real is so important to our healing and reclamation of self! I look forward to hearing from you.