This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
An intriguing example of perpetuated societal norms
(: March of Dimes)Montana is one of my favorite states; it’s beautiful and grand, and there is nowhere else like it.
But it’s also relatively homogenous.
We don’t have to be shy about the fact.
So whenever I’m out there, you already know I’m most likely the only black person in the area.
In Montana in 2020, 4.2% of the total population was Hispanic, 85.7% were white, 0.5% were black, 6.0% were American Indian/Alaska Native and 1.0% were Asian/Pacific Islander. The demographic distribution of women and children in a state, county or city can have an impact on the rates of birth outcomes in that area (Source: March of Dimes)
I did end up spotting three black people [the 0.5%], and each time I did, I had to do a double-take because some people are just really tan. 🙂
Which demographics do you frequently see as housekeepers?
Keep it real.
We all know the answer to this.
It’s usually brown and non-white individuals.
In certain parts of Montana, it’s so white that even the hotel workers are white, which I found unusual.
I’ve become so used to seeing people of color in housekeeping positions that I was thrown off.
I texted my family and told them how f*cked up society is that I felt uncomfortable seeing white housekeepers.
Why do I feel uncomfortable seeing White housekeepers, though?
A perfect example of white privilege is my feeling uncomfortable around white housekeepers. When they knocked at my door, I was like, wait, what?
Many people see White as best, and we acquire these beliefs and opinions through societal enculturation.
We’re trained to see people of color in service positions and white people in opposite, more “dominant” labeled positions.
This thinking dates back to slavery. Who were the masters, and who were the enslaved people?
Obviously, more white people were in the master position, and more people of color were in the slave position.
Service positions should never be limited to any race of people or labeled submissive.
Quickly I learned that service positions could and should be held by anyone.
It doesn’t have to be an oxymoron to see a white person in a service position.
It is what it is.
We should also challenge the idea of service positions being less dominant and only classified as subservient.
What’s most important is that people are earning an honest living wage on top of providing excellent service.
Disclaimer
There is nothing wrong with working in a service-oriented position. I have worked in many service positions, including janitor, fast food, and customer service.
I’m very grateful for the experience and would never trade in the experience. It creates a more empathetic spirit, mind, and soul – especially since many people look down on these types of positions.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.