Demonstrate Leadership By Learning From BIPOC* In America
One of the things I believe is my responsibility right now is to educate myself on the issues that the Black community is bringing light to. Not only because I feel accountable as a white woman, but because I too believe that the infrastructure of this country needs and has needed work/investment.
The polarization created by the left and right agendas is making it very noisy and hard to focus. Plus, there is the added trauma of the pandemic and the division about what to do there as well. It's a tough, emotional time.
Tough, emotional times, crisis - these are the times when you get the opportunity to demonstrate who you are and what you value. One of the ways to do this is to get real talk feedback about how you show up and how you occur to others.
The message from our BIPOC communities is an honest critique of predominately White American leadership from the Non-White perspective. If you are someone who sees yourself as a leader, especially in business, this critique is directed at you. Although it might be hard to listen to, your voice and your values will be clearer and more strong by listening and considering their point of view.
Here are some things I’m reading now:
Great article that explains what is meant by defunding the police. I thought that sounded radical and scary until I read this: https://n.pr/2BYiYDZ
Brene Brown Interview with the author of Anti-Racism, Ibram X. Kendi, will help update your vocabulary. You can’t be not racist only racist or anti-racist. Also, an article of his on the Atlantic
Oprah and Jane Elliot in 1992 do a race experiment on the air.
Black professionals in advertising demand urgent action from agency leadership: https://bit.ly/2XXSStr
Enough Is Enough shows the history of police brutality in Minneapolis and what they want to change.
*BIPOC means Black, Indigenous, People Of Color
