Search Results for: Decolonizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work

Decolonizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work: A Call To Action

When we began this series 11 weeks ago, I am not sure I expected us to stay on the topic this long, nor did I anticipate its timeliness to this moment we are experiencing now. Racism is not new, but this newfound energy and outward (re)commitment to justice and dismantling racism by organizations and corporate leadership is. Inasmuch as I can be cynical about it all, I am also hopeful, inspired, and re-energized. As leaders begin to (ideally) align their organizational priorities, financial resources, and accountability measures with statements of solidarity and empathy, I would like to offer specific actions that affirm what we explored in this series.

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Decolonizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work: … Means Naming White Supremacy Culture [In Ourselves] Part V

We’ve spent the last two months exploring how to decolonize DEI and, by extension, ourselves. But what if you’re the colonizer? I am exactly who is meant to benefit from the system. And I do, constantly. White people—historically men—make the rules… and we don’t even bother following them. Because that’s not the point of white supremacy. The point is to remind everyone who’s on top. We can’t decolonize ourselves, because we aren’t colonized. But we can fight alongside the patriots. 

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Decolonizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work: … Means Naming White Supremacy Culture [In Ourselves] Part IV

When Brittany gave us the challenge to name white supremacy culture in ourselves, I couldn’t help but feel a combination of exhaustion and defensiveness. I tried to think about how white supremacy has been internalized in my own head, in my communities, in my city—but I kept running into a mental wall, and this frustrated and fatigued me. I felt like I was trying to peel off a scab that wasn’t fully healed yet? Colonialism may be centuries old, but this wound is fresh.

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Decolonizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work: … Means Naming White Supremacy Culture [In Ourselves] Part III

Last week, Brittany J. Harris modeled the reflection that she encouraged our readers to participate in—considering how and where white supremacy culture and its values show up in her work. This week, I take on the same challenge. While I had previously tracked several of these as weaknesses in my work, I had not necessarily paused to reflect on ways that they may be based in white supremacy. This exercise challenged me to think more critically about my practices and how I may have internalized the harmful norms that shape them.

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Decolonizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work: … Means Naming White Supremacy Culture [In Ourselves] Part II

Last week, we continued our “Decolonizing Diversity, Inclusion, Equity Work” series with a discussion on white supremacy culture. I challenged you, our readers, to reflect on the ways in which the shared tenants of white supremacy culture show up in how you have experienced and do this work. To hold myself accountable to modeling this exercise and not “preaching to,” rather “experiencing with,” I completed this reflection exercise for myself.  

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Racial Justice at Work: Practical Solutions for Systemic Change

Racial Justice at Work book cover

Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit

Inclusive Conversations: Fostering Equity, Empathy and Belonging Across Differences

We Can’t Talk About That At Work! (Second Edition)

Cover of the book We Can't Talk about That at Work (Second Edition) by Mary-Frances Winters and Mareisha N Reese

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