During our naked mixed-wrestling sessions, I tend to "accidentally" fart in front of my boyfriend Steve Salomon, for, ahem, competitive advantage. Works every time because my favorite Haitian stud is exceptionally vulnerable to the toxic fumes emitted by my thick, round and absolutely mesmerizing all-natural Somali woman's derriere. I'm wicked like that, what can I say? That's just the way I get down.
My name is Yasmin Hussein and I'm a young Somali-Canadian woman living in the City of Ottawa, Ontario. I recently graduated from Algonquin College with a degree in Accounting, and like many recent college and university grads out there in the Capital, I'm looking for work. I have sent out resumes and filled out over a hundred job applications both online and on paper. So far? Nada. Actually, less than nada. If I had nada, that would be something.
I feel a bit envious of my boyfriend Steve Salomon, because he recently got a paid internship with McMillan, one of the top companies in the City of Ottawa. All thanks to one of his professors at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University. I'm happy for Steve, truly, I am. I hope you believe me. I've never been the type of female to feel jealousy toward those who find success. I believe that my time will come. At least that's what I tell myself.
Much has happened since I graduated from Algonquin College, to tell you the truth. I no longer work as a cleaner, I quit that job because I consider it beneath me. I have a degree from an accredited Canadian institution of higher education, I speak English and French fluently, and I have references up the yin yang, from former co-workers and instructors. By all rights, a person with my qualifications should be gainfully employed in the City of Ottawa. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
Steve Salomon is making twenty dollars per hour as a paid intern with the McMillan Corporation, and he gets to wear a tie and business casual clothing to work. Not bad for a guy who once used to borrow cash from me, eh? Heaven knows how much I supported Steve's dreams when he was just a rent-a-cop while studying business management at Carleton University. Never let it be said that black women, or Afro-Arabian gals like myself, aren't supportive of our men.
I spend my days wandering the City of Ottawa, spending time at employment resource centers, and public libraries, looking for work. Sometimes I dress up, in a stylish white blouse and pantsuit, while I go job hunting. Got to look the part of the professional woman if you want to get hired, you know? At least that's what I thought. Someone forgot to tell me that as an educated young woman of color, I am seen as a threat by some and a socio-cultural anomaly by others. Oh, and there's also good old fashioned discrimination at work. What's holding me back? Take your damn pick.
At last, I finally got an interesting lead. Aria Farouk, a young Arab Christian woman working at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, told me that her bank's call center was looking for new employees. Bilingualism is considered an asset in such a field, Amina insisted, and I took down the number and address that she gave me. I called the number, and spoke to a lady at the other end. The woman put me on hold for ten minutes, and then she finally came back, and gave me an email address which I had for forward my resume to, to even be considered for the job.
I went through the process, and a day after I sent the email, I got a response. I was told to bring a copy of my resume to this address in the environs of Gloucester, Ontario. Not far from the Silver City movie theater, one of Steve Salomon's favorite places. It's where we go every Tuesday for date night. I showed up at this nondescript building, and walked in. In the lobby, I was greeted by a security guard, a middle-aged white woman with reddish brown hair in a dark blue uniform.
The security guard looked me up and down, and asked me to sit down. Then she went to her desk, called a number, and told someone that their "ten o'clock" was here. A few minutes later, someone else came into the room. A tall, attractive woman in her mid-thirties with black hair, dark bronze skin and brown eyes. Clad in a white blouse, dark gray silk pants and high heels, the gal looked real good.