Crabs in a Barrel

I know you have heard that saying before. Referencing the sad fact that some people are just like crabs in a barrel. What happens when you catch crab and put them in a bucket or barrel, their survival instinct turns on and some of them will try to escape, try to climb out of that situation back to freedom. The crabs below see that and having no hope for their own survival or escape, they pull those freedom seeking survivalists back down into the mire with them. Some people are like those crabs… unfortunately, some people I know are this way. Thankfully not many…

Exhibit A
Black Woman is offered a promotional position and accepts. Soon thereafter, she finds out that one of her colleagues, dare I say “friends” was in competition with her for this position. Woman tells her friend (who is also Black) the exciting news looking for celebration. Instead her friend tells her that she is not really qualified for the position and the only reason Woman got this offer is because they were looking for a certain “image”. Not because of any particular gift or talent or level of experience. Woman is not really qualified according to friend and the offer should have gone to her. Even though Woman has worked for 15 years climbing and reaching for something better. Went back to school to earn her MBA. Something that the friend had not done, yet feels superior.

Little crab in the barrel pulls down on the little crab leg of one climbing up on its own hard work and effort.

Exhibit B
Black Woman, who has earned her PhD and now works with high level administrators in an education setting, uses the Dr. title that she has earned. What audacity! Black colleague in association with other non-Black colleagues demean and denigrate Black Woman behind her back. They ask themselves and each other, “Who is she to demand that we address her as Dr.?” “What did she get her degree in anyway?” “She must think she is special when all she really is a secretary or something”. “She is just a stuck up bitch, or should I say Dr. Bitch”.

Insidious.

Rather than rejoicing in the success and achievements of others, these people sit comfortably in their corners passing judgment and defiling character. They go to church every Sunday praising their Lord, so they can start fresh on Monday with new deeds to commit against those in their path. All the while they smile and have coffee with you, asking how they can assist, give you a hand. Never take the hand of a “crab”.