40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule: The Diary of a Nigger, Negro, Colored, Black, African-American Woman

by Kim Williams

What does it mean to be a Nigger? Is it just a word created to distinguish black from white? What is the real meaning of Colored? Again, is it just another word that was created to separate sections and restrooms? Nigger, Negro, Colored, Black, African-American. These words all have the same meaning but in today’s society they have all come to mean very different things. This fictional diary follows the journey of Racey Thomas, an African-American woman, as she tackles issues and perceptions of black Americans in a predominantly white workplace. The story examines the true meaning and consequences behind the struggle of fighting "Nigger-type" perceptions and finally advancing to an African-American status. Racey’s journey is filled with real situations, truthful thoughts, honest reactions, and hilarious moments that all African-Americans have experienced in the workplace.

248 pages, Paperback

First published July 6, 2004

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book way more than I did. I love the YouTube series Unwritten Rules, partly because the subject material is so funny, and also because Aasha Davis is the kind of actor you can't take your eyes off of.

Disclaimers here - I'm probably 25 years older than the author, and white. The book's narrator is African-American and fresh out of college. I remember what that first job experience is like, the kind of disillusionment you feel that first year when you realize that you expected great things from the adult world, that the work world would be somehow more utopian... and it just isn't. At that age you haven't read Dilbert, and you certainly haven't laughed (bitterly) at its accuracy.

In this case I'd recommend going straight to the series. The story is a good one, but the editing on the book was poor, with grammatical errors that did not appear to be intentional. I also found myself wearying of the "Why do they always (insert behavior here)?" The quick answer is: they don't. And I can't tell if that is the author's view, or the view of a young narrator.

What brought me up very short, though, was a chapter essentially dismissing the marginalization of any group other than POC. In relating a discussion with a gay coworker, Racey observes: "He could throw out his hand and pick up better cards. Or he could bluff his way through any game." Really? A gay man could just choose to not be gay any more? Or pretend that he's not because that's SUCH a good option?

Or this even more tone-deaf statement: "Was he unaware of the Civil War, the Civil Rights movement, or even the Holocaust for that matter?"

I don't care who's saying that, the author or the narrator - you need to walk that one right back. Homosexuals were specifically targeted in the Holocaust and tens of thousands went to the concentration camps. It is absolutely inexcusable to use that as a snarky "you don't know anything about oppression" comeback.

I don't want to minimize what POC go through Every. Single. Freaking. Day. There's BS out there that I am blissfully unaware of because of my own privilege. But I'm also not going to buy into the Oppression Olympics and declare one type of oppression the uncontested gold medal. Oppression is intersectional across so many factors - and of course your own seems like the big one. But part of growing up is recognizing that intersectionality.

[Evette · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Unwritten Rules" web series introduced me to "40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule." The comedic adventures of Brown University graduate, Raceyneisha and her white coworkers inspired me to squeeze the 200-page epistolary between other summer reads.

I loved it. Author Kim Williams' voice is clear as she explains the racist ins-and-outs of the corporate work environment. Her wit and outrageous conflicts with her coworkers must resonate with the scores of people of color trudging into white-washed offices from 9-to-5, Monday through Friday.

The singular drawback in "40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule" is the continual usage of conflicting metaphors. The office is often compared to a neighborhood, extended family and barbecue, but there are times when the metaphor spites the point of the graf.

I rate "40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule" a 4 out of 5.

[Sharmaine Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

After I discovered the web series, "The Unwritten Rules," I was interested in reading the book that inspired it. I'm not sure I would call this a "good" book. It was an easy read, and I could definitely relate to most of it. I found it entertaining, but I also ended up highlighting some pretty poignant thoughts throughout. Some of the phrases the author used sounded a little juvenile, which was somewhat of a disconnect, when she would say something like, "his funky butt..." but then use profanity in a similar phrase a few pages later. That was a little annoying to me. But overall, I enjoyed it.

[Mona Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and informative read for those struggling to be Black and professional in the corporate world.

[Bludissertation · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read and one that I could relate to in many ways. My only "complaint" is that the language was at times too flowery for my personal liking.

[Aqila Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard about the book through the web-series. I started reading and watching the series at the same time. Very interesting and awkward moments I can relate too. Very good read!

[Filmmaker Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book made me want to check out the web series, and I loved and love both.