Jim Halpert, Dwight Schrute, Pam Beesly and Michael Scott.
To be on the internet and to not have heard these names or seen their images would be almost impossible. These characters from “The Office” have solidified their place in the popular culture lexicon since the show rose to popularity in 2007. “The Office”’s take on the minutia of middle management and office life is relatable to a tee. Jim and Dwight are relatable, sure, but no one encompasses the seemingly infinite monotony of a dead end job like Stanley Hudson.
Stanley Hudson is technically a minor character in the show but after binge-watching the series (again) is one of the most relatable and overlooked. Stanley represents a reality that many black people face in the corporate sphere.
Stanley is the only black person in his office.
To have to face Michael Scott’s microaggressions alone? I don’t know if I could do it. The racial insensitivity that Stanley faces are a part of his daily life and are one of the reasons why his character resonates with audiences.
Here are seven times that Stanley is all of us:
1. When he didn't want to do something and he meant it
2. When he was asked to do something ON HIS BREAK
3. His attitude at 5:01 PM
4. His only inspiration to go to work
5. That time someone thought they could try him
On Pretzel Day?!!