[getting something off my chest, a thread]
One thing I struggle with as a POC in the workplace (with humble beginnings) is to ask for help.

Growing up, the expectation was for you to be self-reliant and do things on your own, because there wasn't a lot of help available...

It is stressed upon that asking for help is like a weakness or a belief that you are getting a handout.

Im always happy to help others, and always took opportunities that were given, but never asked...

As I move forward, I realize that others who were more well off, or maybe just were in better more accepting environments have no issue in asking for help—Some of the most successful people I know are great at asking for help in the things they do, are almost professional askers.

I often think that people of color, while interviewing, while collaborating, and just working often feel the burdens of having to do it all, without assistance–Or even worse, the fallout and guilt of having asked for help in something and getting it.

Inclusion is about understanding how others may think and work.

If someone doesn't seem like they are "team player" or asking the right questions—it could be due to an insane amount of conditioning from life experience that they must do everything perfect, themselves...

Sometimes you need to let someone know that help is available and acceptable to ask for... not assumed.

I am still working on this, and am always completely baffled when I see others do it... That inner voice in my head goes off like "Of course they can ask for it, because they are white"....

But yeah, the rhetoric is firmly implanted on us, when you think of terms like "welfare queens" and recently the concept of a "social charge"... It's like if you are 'otherfied', you better pull yourself up and earn your keep, you are a burden.

Moral of the story, it's okay to ask for help, it will benefit you more than the help itself.

Also, if you are on the other end, let people know help is available, give them the space and opportunity to ask.

And as someone who made themselves vulnerable enough to ask for, and get denied help... Don't let that deter your future help requesting endeavors.