Social Justice
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I’m Not Racist…Or Am I? The Answer Might Be Yes.
Ever been told you were racist? I have – or in reality, I was confronted about the racist impact of something I did – which FELT like they called me racist! That was one of the worst things I could ever imagine happening to me – especially from a person of color who was a colleague at the time. It was so traumatic an experience that I spent three very painful years in a dysfunctional pool of shame, fear and self-recrimination. I created my own isolation, yet there were people around me who would have helped me, if I had only reached out and chosen the path of courage and…
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Interrupting Racism: Why Should Whites Care?
Why should whites interrupt racist dynamics? It’s not my place…. All too often I hear these comments from whites who are afraid to speak up for fear of making a mistake or making things worse and then being called racist. We sit back in silence and hope someone else will take the risk to say something, even though we know about the devastating impact of the extreme emotional tax on people of color who always seem to be the only ones taking the risk to raise issues. Whites have to step up and do far more to partner with colleagues of color in our organizations to recognize and…
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Renew the Spark: Ignite Change at Your Organization
“But It’s Always Been Done This Way…” Mandates outline policies for diversity, equity and inclusion in many organizations, but too many leaders are less than enthusiastic about implementing any meaningful plans. There’s a general feeling of: “Y’all go over there and just do it, but don’t get us involved.” Can you relate? You develop a plan to implement inclusion for all employees and you’re excited about the opportunity. Then you hit the brick wall. The brick wall with the sign posted: “We’ve Always Done It This Way.” I bet you’ve run smack into that wall many times, right? But there are detours around that wall, and with some committed…
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Our Top 5 Posts on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion … and more!
Here are 5 of our most popular posts that you may find helpful – all in one quick go-to reference. Want to gain access to our brand new and ever-growing comprehensive Knowledge Base packed with info on all the topics that matter most to you? Click here to join free! Without further ado, here’s a fast summary of the 5 top posts. To read more, just click the links… 1) When TMI Happens at a Training on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion It happens sometimes. Your organization is committed to inclusion. Training sessions offer participants the opportunity to reflect, discuss and comment on exclusion and discrimination within the organization.…
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As a White Person, How Do You Reconcile Teaching About Racial Justice?
What We Think We Are, We Oftentimes Are Not… Yeah, I get it. Years ago, I believed that the worst thing that could happen to me was to be labeled a racist by a person of color. But guess what? It happened. Me! The person who I thought was committed to making a difference in my life and others by teaching about diversity. My illusion was shattered by an early experience where I had been asked to try out my capacity as a leader for a new position. Two people of color confronted me regarding some of my behaviors they felt were racist. Me? No way! I disagreed – but…
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Do you really believe change is possible for our world?
Do you want your workplace, community or the whole country to be different? Maybe it feels overwhelming – impossible, even – and you’re at a loss for what to do next. I hear you. And I’m here to tell you I believe that yes – change is still 100% possible – no matter how things may look within the greater context of our current political climate. My Vision of Transformation & Change A lot of folks say they want change. Some may want transformation and change to create a world grounded in the values of the 1940s and 50s – or even earlier. Others perhaps have a vision where only…
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Is there a Disconnect Between Your Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Goals – and What’s Actually Happening?
Across the nation, most leaders would agree that there is a renewed energy, commitment, and in many cases, even a sense of urgency, to live up to the promises as set forth in their mission statements and strategic plans. Most often, I see diversity, equity and inclusion goals like the following: Deepen the capacity and competence of all members of the organization to create a more inclusive, socially just environment. Support and accelerate the professional/academic and personal success of the full range of individuals the organization serves. Create inclusive work environments that support the success of the full range of employees across group membership. All of this looks great on…
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Have Diversity Efforts at Your Organization Hit a Snag?
I do not label myself an “expert” - but I’ve had decades of training and experience that have allowed me to develop best practices for creating equitable, socially just environments that actively promote diversity and inclusion. It wasn’t always that way. Earlier in my career as a college administrator and an organizational consultant I used to teach a wide variety of courses on various interpersonal skills - with little or no direct reference to the issues of equity and inclusion. Why am I sharing this with you? To show you that change is ALWAYS possible.
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Are You Doing All You Can to Infuse Equity and Inclusion?
Judge not by appearances. How many times have you heard that statement? As adults, many of us pat ourselves on the back because we truly believe we don’t judge. But come on, you know better. We’ve been groomed by our society, parents, teachers, and friends to do exactly that. It happens so quickly – and sometimes, so subtly – we don’t even realize we’re guilty of judging by appearances. Then we try and justify in our minds. Well, I didn’t really judge…it’s just that they’re so different from me. I didn’t mean anything by it. They just took it the wrong way. Can you relate? The Building Blocks of Equity…
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Creating Inclusion: How Ready is YOUR Organization for Change?
A critical exclusionary incident occurs in your organization. You react, try to smooth the situation over with an open forum or a training session on inclusion and diversity and resume your business-as-usual routine. Case closed. You breathe a sigh of relief. But not for those affected. Like waters that ripple endlessly when a stone skips through, waves of stinging emotions brew among those involved in the exclusionary episode. Can you relate? Diversity and Inclusion Cannot Be Accomplished Piecemeal Ignoring the situation solves nothing. Pretending it’s settled is absurd. The ingredients are in place and ready to ignite again when sparked. Learning to infuse equity and inclusion into everything we do…
