There’s no question we’ve inherited a system that is inherently racist in its origins. The threads of racism are woven discreetly (and sometimes not so discreetly) into the fabric of our culture, into the way we do business, into the way we interact with the people around us.
And, like fish in a fishbowl, many of us aren’t even aware that we’re wet. It’s just the way life is and has always been.
The last decade in particular has seen a surge of discussions surrounding racism and inequality. There has been an uptick in people curious, and willing to step into the work, and that’s been great in some ways and not so great in others.
On the one hand, it’s opened the door for discussion. We’ve seen DEI efforts increase and organizations making changes to ensure everyone has a voice and the same access to opportunities.
But on the other hand, even with all the noise about being woke and Black Lives Matter and all the rest of it, it feels like not much has really changed. Many DEI efforts fail to get to the heart of the matter. It’s a check-off-the-box effort for a roots-deep issue.
And that’s why it’s incumbent on our white allies to do the work.
So, the question is… how can we have the discussion without dehumanization on both sides?
And more specifically, how can we, as non-profit leaders stuck in a system not of our own making, take up our causes and keep our heads and our hearts in the fight without all the anxiety and anger that comes from seeing the issue and feeling powerless to fix it?
If the system is multifaceted and roots-deep, the solution must also be so.
Recently I talked AGAIN with Jen Mayer, one of my favorite people on the planet and founder of Becoming Better Together. BBT is a collective of coaches and consultants that work together to create diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures that achieve their biggest goals within organizations.
As a person of color, I can’t advise white people on how to do the work, so I have great takeaways from Jen on how to make a difference, how to be an ally and how to stay in the conversation in a helpful way:
- Create a culture or space where mistakes are natural and important. That’s how we learn what to do and what not to do. It’s important that we give each other grace when we screw up. And, also important, that we keep at it when our efforts fall flat or are a colossal failure. Instead of feeling guilty about your anxiety, understand that it’s a natural symptom of compassion and wanting to make a difference in this space.
- Often, the default for white people is to do nothing for fear of offending. But, if you aspire to be an ally, you have to take action. When you see something wrong happening in your organization or even in your day-to-day life, stand up, take responsibility, and be willing to be embarrassed for your brother or sister of color. Tokenism isn’t helpful to anyone.
- If you focus on all the injustice, it will only lead to rage and burnout. Instead, let the mission of your NPO be your fuel. Understand that not everyone is aware of the systemic racism in our system. Educate. Stay centered. And when you can, use your position of power to effect change.
There’s so much more to the conversation. This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you are a white person and you want to educate yourself on how you can be most effective in your organization, listen to the full podcast episode right here: 🎧https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/255-unf-ck-yourself-as-a-white-person-with-jen-mayer/id1436858854?i=1000629064515
>>>And check out Jen’s free video DEI training right here!
Cheers and keep the conversation going!
