Hello. I'm Nathaniel's grandmother. I think that things are probably better for black people these days - you, know, I've had a few hassles in my time here in Britain...I had learned to type before I came here and was hoping I would get a good job and then go home again after about five years. It never worked out that way, because the good jobs didn't seem to be available to us - I was often told back then that they didn't want no 'coloureds' in the office.
I had to get work as a hotel cleaner. One time I got sacked because some of the hotel guests said they didn't want no black woman going into their rooms. They couldn't do that now because of the law.
I always felt I had to prove myself because I was black. When I retired I was assistant manager in a big hotel, but it took a long time to get there. There were lots of times I watched people younger than me and with less experience get promoted or get better jobs somewhere else. Some of them were women, so it can't have just been a sexist thing.
I just think a lot of people have a problem with someone black being in charge. They don't like it, or they can't believe someone black can be that good at the job. You just have to be better than anyone else. You just have to not let it get to you. I think Nathaniel has got to accept this, or it will be very hard for him.
Some people think it's not as bad as it was, but I don't know, maybe it's just done more carefully. I think a lot of black people could be in better jobs than they are. Why should Nathaniel have any more trouble than anyone else? He shouldn't have to put up with what I had to.
