Joe Stanoszek’s Post

The majority of people I have been forced to block on LinkedIn are Black. It’s been that way since I first started posting in 2020. Black folk in my comments are often the most confrontational, irrational and unrelenting. I'm always surprised, though I know I shouldn't be. I hate to talk about this, not only because it makes me sad but also because it hurts really bad. I keep repeating the mantra “hurt people hurt people.” The source of pain and trauma for Black people is typically the same. But knowing that doesn’t make it hurt any less. ❤️🩹 Last week at a book signing, a Black woman asked me to sign copies of my books for her and her daughter. Once I started signing she proceeded to smugly tell me she sent me a message that I left on “read.” I awkwardly explained that I wish I could reply to everyone, but I get dozens of messages daily. She stared at me in silence. Another Black woman wrote a scathing three-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️ review of my book on Amazon. She said she loved the book, but I didn’t live up to my words in it. Apparently, I didn’t give her sympathy on LinkedIn. She had trolled one of my "Support Black Men" 👑 posts, pointing out how Black men need to FIRST support their women. I was not having it. 🤷🏽♀️ This is one more reason why my time on this platform will eventually be coming to an end. It won’t happen today, but it will definitely happen. Black women have no protection from trolling and abusive behavior on social media. Unfortunately, our pain often manifests in how we treat each other. This is not just on social media. Many of us have also been hurt by other Black women in the workplace. I discuss this behavior extensively in I'm Not Yelling. I hate to talk about this because my platform centers Black Love and Liberation. But we, as a community, often internalize self hatred. We mimic the way we are treated by those in the majority, who ultimately have power and control over us. We HAVE to be intentional about decolonizing our own minds and THINK for ourselves. We feel powerless in society because we largely are. I don't care if you are in the C-Suite, a CEO or the President of the United States, this is a phenomenon I have seen and experienced but rarely speak publicly about. Being at a book signing in a room full of Black people, I should have been at my most comfortable and safest. Unfortunately, I was not. It’s the only reason I'm speaking up about this now. We MUST do better for ourselves and for each other. WE must HEAL ourselves. And I say this with love. Moving forward, I will also be much more careful about engaging with people not only in my comments and direct messages but also at any in-person and even virtual events. These toxic interactions happen often, and I've not said anything. Not speaking up goes against everything I stand for, so this is where I'm forced to be. I need to protect myself, especially when people obviously don’t care about my feelings but expect me to care about them.

#Congratulations on reaching #3000followers on LinkedIn ! 🎉 I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my LinkedIn connections family for your support and encouragement. Your engagement and interest in my professional journey mean the world to me. Thank you for being a part of my network and for helping me achieve this milestone! Let's continue to connect and inspire each other. #Grateful #LinkedInFamily #LinkedIn

"Grateful beyond words for the incredible journey on LinkedIn! With over 1.2 Lakh impressions, I'm humbled by the support and engagement from this amazing community. Each interaction, like, and share fuels my passion to connect, inspire, and learn. Thank you for being a part of this enriching experience. Here's to continued growth, collaboration, and success together! #Gratitude #LinkedInJourney"

🎉 Crossing the 35,000 follower mark on LinkedIn! 🙌🏼✨ A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for being part of my professional journey. Your support and engagement mean the world to me. Let's continue to connect, inspire, and achieve great things together! 🚀💼 #Grateful #LinkedInMilestone #35000Followers"

Cheers, LinkedIn Champions! Three months ago, I began my content journey here feeling lost. Your unwavering support and encouragement changed everything! 🙌 As this year closes, I'm grateful for your invaluable interactions. Wishing you all a fantastic New Year! Let's keep inspiring each other in 2024. 🎊 Who's been your biggest support creator on LinkedIn? Tag them below and spread some appreciation! ✨ #linkedincommunity #thankyou #yearend