What do LL, Musiq, Jamie Foxx, and Erykah Badu have in common? Probably a few things…but one relevant to me: they are all on the wall in my office.
Speaking of walls, I would love to be a fly on yours right now to see how you reacted to those last nine words. If you’re like me, there was no reaction. Why should there be? But apparently everyone isn’t like me (what a shame, I know). And hence the story…
My office is fairly large and has a lot of walls. After a month of residing at my new property, our billboard/signage vendor stopped by, chastised me for my bare walls, and offered to make them look like something. Without much thought, I reflected on the shows that were held/currently scheduled in our concert venue. Besides acts whose CDs I own, my only other criteria: it needed to be a show I actually attended. So, the short list? LL Cool J and Musiq Soul Child played the venue my 2nd weekend on the job. Erykah Badu and Jamie Foxx played the venue my fifth weekend.
Fast forward…
Since then, I’ve had two different people (at different times) comment on my walls:
Person 1: “Wow; it’s clear that you like urban music.”
Person 2: “Nice artwork. Very stereotypical, don’t you think?”
WT-…??
I was surprised by the first comment…especially since it was from a friend. I was annoyed at the latter comment; it was rude (to say the least).
I reached out to a friend/colleague (Person 1) and asked for very honest and straightforward feedback on the perspective that I clearly must have missed. His response?
“It feels like ‘Do the Right Thing’ in your office.”
I can’t…
While I was caught off guard (or simply naïve, tomato-tomahto), I actually understood the sentiment he was trying to convey. I asked for feedback so I got it. Do I like it? No. But it is what it is.
If I had Maroon 5, One Republic, John Mayer, and Coldplay on my wall, would I have received the same reaction? Would there be anything to discuss? Would I be writing a blog post? Probably not.
Eh. Stopping here. Too much to unpack.
eom.
PS: I’m a fan of Maroon 5, One Republic, Mayer, and Coldplay. Maroon 5 is the only act that played the venue. At the time, it was New Year’s Eve, I worked at another property, and I was stuck at work so I missed the show (boo). However, I attended the after party. Person 1 thinks that’s close enough and has encouraged me to include it on my wall in the name of diversity. LOL. Guess who’s having another poster installed later this week…
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