Worcester Business Journal

8 Worcester Business Journal | April 4, 2022 | wbjournal.com BY GISELLE RIVERA-FLORES Special to WBJ A s a Worcester city councilor for more than 10 years, lasting through various City Council cohorts, Sarai Rivera understands the struggles faced by Latin and Black American women when they finally are allowed entry into inner circles of power. "As the only person of color on the city council for years prior to our current cohort, I have been the figure that is oen portrayed in a stereotypical light and oen criticized for being of Afro Latina descent despite my numerous degrees," said Rivera. Rivera is proof that obtaining access to an inner circle oen designated for the white male comes at a cost as accomplishing degrees in higher education, public policy, and community leadership is not enough because there still remains the issue of ethnic differences. "In meetings, I have heard the mumbles of individuals state 'I can't wait for the Latina in her to come out,' and I have had to be conscious of my hairstyles, my hand gestures, and my ability to remain calm despite the situation or insults received, because at the end of the day, the label 'Angry Black Woman' is one that is easily thrown around," Rivera said. When discussing what it takes to get ahead professionally, it is evidently impossible to avoid the vast differences in perspective and experiences from the white men and Latin and Black American women. e notion of simply showing up to meetings is enough to propel the status of your accomplishments is nothing more than the usual conversation told to women of color in a daily and counterproductive manner, sparking feelings of guilt and providing a demeaning sense of superficial support. It is the old, "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps'' rhetoric derived from an 1800s physics book showing the impossibility of a man liing himself by his own bootstrap, which evolved into a phrase describing how everyone, despite their socioeconomic beginnings, should accomplish the same advancements afforded to all society. e fight for equality for women is a discussion some feel is over-explained and oversensitized, oen viewed as a prelude to a victimhood mindset. e discussion remains unprioritized, especially through the lens of the Latin and Black American woman. Rivera said being part of an inner circle means fitting the ideas of a model person who can obtain perfection and fit into the mold the inner circle is willing to tolerate, she said. Diversity and inclusion are not one of the same. ey are not terms that can be used PHOTOS/COURTESY OF THE SUBJECTS Vianna Mercedes, former program manager for City of Worcester Unheard by the inner circle People from historically marginalized groups, particularly women of color, feel insulted by the concept of "e world is run by those who show up." Even now, as they gain more seats at tables of power, they still feel like outsiders held to a higher standard and whose voices aren't heard. (Left) Worcester City Councilor Sarai Rivera, and (right) Maria Ravelli, organizer for Worcester Community Fridges

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