For the past month or so, I feel as though a few of my coworkers have been attempting to get me in trouble or trigger a response out of me. I am a woman of color. I feel as though my coworkers like to poke the bear when it comes to me.

The week before last, a coworker asked me if my hair is real in front of the entire office with this smirk on her face hoping that I’d get offended. I asked her in return if she knew of the repercussions of such an invasive question? Still smirking, ridiculously, might I add, I retorted with “have you noticed that your engagement ring isn’t real?” I don’t know whether her ring is real or not, I just wanted to humiliate her the same as she’d done me. I wanted that smirk to wipe clean off her face. Bitch.

Last week, the same girl and another goes “it’s almost summer. I went tanning. So I can be prepared.” They look at me. One places her arm next to mine while I’m typing. She then goes “I’m trying to be dark like you. Well.... not like you. That’s too dark. Maybe a shade lighter.” I stopped typing. Looked at her and replied “how unfortunate that you have to pay for my color. Or something similar.” I went back to typing and paid it no mind.

Then today, the same girl, says to me as I’m working, “I had a dream that you got fired last night. I slept like a baby!” 🧐🤨🤔🙃.

So, now here I am, typing up an email to HR. Is she poking the bear or honestly just that oblivious and insensitive?