Black Staffers Exiting Biden White House in a ‘Blaxit’ – Opinion

Politico reports that at least 21 of these black employees have quit the White House this year. The situation is so bad that some aides are calling it a “Blaxit.” Why are they leaving? They’re reportedly unhappy with the work environment that has “little support from their superiors and fewer chances for promotion.”

Biden and Kamala’s ‘Blaxit’: 21 black aides LEFT the WH since December https://t.co/imGHErhGyc

— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) May 31, 2022

Biden, who has made repeated references to race and gender during his recent career, publicly vowed that he would only consider a woman as his running partner. This promise was kept when he elected Kamala Harris, now Vice President. He narrowed his choices further by promising to consider only African-American women for his Supreme Court nomination. In the end, he chose now-Supreme Court Justice Ketanji brown Jackson.

Joe’s focus on diversity is exactly why this “Blaxit” is such a bad look for this administration. This is what the report says:

Three Black staffers who currently work in the White House — and were granted anonymity because of fear of reprisal — said the exodus has hurt morale, compounding problems that exist elsewhere. These staffers spoke out about an organization in which mentorship was difficult to obtain and where the opportunity to climb up the ranks is extremely rare.

The White House quickly pushed back, of course, saying that turnover is normal and the administration has one of the most diverse staffs “in history.” In a statement to People, White House director of African American media Erica Loewe said:

Politico did not include their sentiments on the record. Instead, they singled out Black staff members who left at normal times for general turnover. Then, Politico intentionally kept their perspective about their stories hidden.

The administration also provided 10 statements from current and former staffers who described a “great culture,” with some saying they simply left for different jobs or to be with their family. Contrast that with this description of the “great culture” by a black staffer:

We’re here and we’re doing a lot of work but we’re not decision-makers and there’s no real path towards becoming decision-makers. There is no real feedback and there’s no clear path to any kind of promotions.

There are many other departures: Carissa Smith (public engagement aide), Kalisha Dessources figures (gender policy aide), National Security Council senior Director Linda Etim, National Security Council digital engagement director Cameron Trimble and Funmi Olunnipa Badejo (chief of staff Ron Klain advisors Elizabeth Wilkins, Niyat Mulugheta), Natalie Austin, Natal Economic Council aides Joelle Gamle and Connor Maxwell and Rayshawn Dyson, presidential personnel aides Reggie Greer, Rayshawn Greer, Rayshawn, Reggie Greer, Rayshawn Greer, Rayshawn Greer, Rayshawn Greer, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Reggie Greer, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshaw, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, Rayshawn, and Rayshawn, respectively, have also ai White House officials say that Saharra Griffin, Council of Economic Advisers’ aide and Danielle Conley, Deputy White House Counsel are also expected to depart in the coming weeks.

Upon entering office in 2021, President Joe Biden pledged to build an administration that “would look like America looks.” The White House says he’s achieved that goal and that around 14 percent of current staffers identify as black, in line with national proportions.

Joe may have hired a lot of black people, but no one seems to have checked in to see how they’re doing. It’s amazing that, in an administration that’s dedicated to diversity, such a problem has been allowed to fester. Why hasn’t someone noticed the apparent trend of blacks leaving, as well as the water-cooler talk, rumors and frustration described by these employees? As they do with many other areas, it seems like this is also where the administration has fallen behind.