Lifelong Learning about Race and Anti-Racism
Recent acts of racial violence, police brutality, and social unrest have once again brought to the forefront the long history of systemic racism and oppression within the United States. As a white woman, this has been a period of reflection and learning for me, seeking ways to educate myself on the issues and discover ways to be a more effective ally to the BIPOC community. In this blog, I discuss some resources that were particularly helpful to me as part of this effort to become a more aware and responsible business owner, citizen, and ally.
After recently reading the book White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo, I learned the nuances between prejudice, discrimination and racism and that everyone has inherent racial biases. This was a surprise to me, as I have always tried to be inclusive in both my work and personal life. With the insight and perspectives offered in this book, I realized quickly that I have a lot to learn about the history of race and racism.
Through reading this book, watching documentaries, reading articles, and completing a course on racial bias, I am working towards becoming an active anti-racist and ally.
Resources that were helpful to me include:
VIDEO / PODCASTS
13th - this documentary (currently available for FREE on Netflix), is about the 13th Amendment in the United States Constitution. The purpose of the 13th Amendment was to abolish slavery within the United States. Through this video I learned about many of the systemic racist policies that the United States has historically engaged in despite the original intent of the 13th Amendment. This documentary was eye-opening for me as a lot of these lessons were not covered in my history classes growing up.
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man - In this YouTube series, former NFL Football player Emmanuel Acho answers white people’s questions about race. Guests so far have included actor Matthew McConaughey and TV personalities Chip & Joanna Gaines. In these short videos, guests ask difficult questions that many white people are afraid to ask black people. I found these videos helpful in answering some of my basic questions that I, too, am afraid to ask.
Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo - In this 20-minute video, Dr. Robin DiAngelo shares what it means to be white in a society that proclaims race meaningless, yet is profoundly separated by race. I found this short video to be extremely helpful!
How to Be an Antiracist PODCAST with Brené Brown and Ibram X. Kendi
BOOKS
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism - in this book by Robin DiAngelo, PhD, she provides a straight-forward discussion to assist white people in better understanding racism as a systemic issue while acknowledging the discomfort many white folks have in discussing race in any fashion. Robin is on faculty at the University of Washington, Seattle and has done significant research and written books on equality and racialism. I highly recommend this book!
Four Days to Change: 12 Radical Habits to Overcome Bias and Thrive in a Diverse world by Michael Welp and Bill Proudman. This book is based on twenty years of pioneering workshops engaging white male leaders in transforming their own mindsets, building leadership skills, and creating powerful partnerships. The book follows a group of men embarking on a life-changing process to broaden their view of relationships across race, gender, and sexual orientation. This book was written by the co-founders of White Men as Full Diversity Partners.
Listen In: Crucial Conversations on Race in the Workplace by Allison Manswell. This work of business fiction picks up where research and scorecards leave off. It tells the story of five African-American characters as they exchange personal experiences that happen behind research, data and attempts at best practices.
COURSES
How to Fight Racial Bias, According to a Stanford Psychologist by Jennifer Eberhardt and The Next Big Idea Club. In this short course (currently available for FREE), Jennifer Eberhardt, author of Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do shares the science of how bias really works, and what we can do to overcome it.
UPCOMING: Ibram X. Kendi on "How to Be an Antiracist," July 20, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. This program will discuss Kendi’s renowned book “How to Be an Antiracist” with Dr. Charlene M. Dukes, president of Prince George’s Community College. Dr. Dukes is the first African-American woman to serve as president of the College and has 30 years of progressive leadership experience and administrative responsibility in higher education.
ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR COMPANY
White Men as Full Diversity Partners is a company that works to advance organizations through inclusive leadership development. A past mentor of mine is one of their Senior Consultants.
Allison Manswell combines her expertise in organizational, employee and leadership development with personal experiences and over 24 years working in corporate and government settings. She supports organizations ready to tackle the issue of talent management for people of color.
In addition to my continued learning to help me continue to be anti-racist and become an active ally, I have also been donating to organizations including NAACP Legal Defense Fund to fight for racial justice and support voting rights. Through litigation, advocacy, and education they fight for racial justice for all.
We can all benefit from learning more about our country's true history and ways that we can help support anti-racism.
What resources do you suggest for others to build awareness to support anti-racism? Comment below.
Follow my blogs on Medium, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Sign up for our Newsletter for great articles, tools, and top blog posts
Check out our new Digital Course Optimism, Resilience and Grit: Sustaining Success at Work and Home.
** We may receive a commission for links on our blog. You don’t have to use our links, but we’re very appreciative when you do. Thanks again for your support, we hope you find our posts and information helpful!
About the Author:
Sarah Scala is a senior talent management leader and executive coach with 20+ years of experience providing organization development, change management, and leadership development solutions for diverse global and local industries. She is a collaborative consultant, coach, and educator supporting performance transformation of executives, leaders, and teams. Sarah is a methodical, results-driven leader recognized for helping clients reach their highest potential, increase revenue, reduce turnover, elevate business profitability, build competencies, and improve performance.
Privacy policy: I do not rent, sell, trade or share your email address with anyone, ever.
©Sarah A Scala Consulting
All rights reserved. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Sarah A. Scala Consulting with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.