petty professional email clap-backs are trending on black twitter :d “warm regards”

Being a Black professional in an anti-Black world can be utterly exhausting. We are already seen as too angry and dangerously emotional, so asserting oneself when others try it on the job is almost always walking a thin line.

Thankfully, as twitter user @DeeRene_ illuminated last week, over centuries of finding balance in the most precarious of situations we’ve developed the quick wit and mastery of shade to easily pull off subtle professional clap-backs in hilarious style.

@DeeRene_ started by asking her followers which was their favorite professional clap-black:

What is your favorite phrase to use in a professional clap back?

Mine is “per my last email…”

— Millionaire la flare (@DeeRene_) August 21, 2017

She then followed up with one of my go-tos, the smuggest “your move” of digital correspondence, “please advise”:

I’m also a fan of laying out all the facts of where they have me confused.

And ending with “please advise” pic.twitter.com/PSgPwtVrgj

— Millionaire la flare (@DeeRene_) August 22, 2017

What ensued was pure hilarity:

I end emails with “best” as opposed to “thank you” when I feel like being sassy

— Nia (@kamineee_) August 22, 2017

What you not finna do…

I had a area manager try to write up once for taking an fmla day to take my son in for surgery. 1/3

— bald headed Sug (@whoissugar) August 22, 2017

Not only did I copy the employee handbook showing I can use fmla, I screenshot the government website AND 2/3

— bald headed Sug (@whoissugar) August 22, 2017

I CCed the president of the company and human resources and explained why I was not signing the write up. She tired it.

— bald headed Sug (@whoissugar) August 22, 2017

The area manager was not ready for my “what you’re not about to do” ministry. I had to check her so many times. She was eventually fired.

— bald headed Sug (@whoissugar) August 23, 2017

You tried it…

“For future reference…” and “As previously stated…” pic.twitter.com/x2m909wZ7V

— Camille Smith (@camichicago) August 22, 2017

For the teachers!

I started putting this in emails and in online courses. pic.twitter.com/cdT6xOj1rd

— Seeta (@seetalms) August 22, 2017

Do better

“In the spirit of striving for excellence..”

Lists all the stuff you shouldn’t be doing

— Keith Harris (@KeithHarrisPR) August 22, 2017

But not too friendly

Subject line : Friendly Reminder

— {Deep Sigh} (@RuffinMuch) August 22, 2017