What specific professional obstacle did James West face from his early supervisor at Bell Labs?

Answer

He was discouraged from applying for professional engineering roles due to his race

Despite demonstrating technical competence, James West encountered systemic racial prejudice at the start of his career. An early supervisor actively discouraged him from pursuing professional engineering positions, explicitly citing his race as a barrier to advancement within the organizational structure of Bell Labs.

What specific professional obstacle did James West face from his early supervisor at Bell Labs?
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