The past couple of weeks have been rough, and one thing that has become very clear to me is that if we believe that black lives matter, we have to speak up. We have to examine our own white privilege, and we have to get really uncomfortable.
As leaders and HR professionals, we have a responsibility to support our black colleagues, and, especially for those of us who are white, we don’t always know what to say. I don’t have the answers, but I do know that not saying anything is definitely not the answer. As people, no matter our jobs, we have a responsibility to speak and act against racism, and to be part of the solution. Getting uncomfortable and having courageous conversations is the least we can do.
This week, my friend and former client at two different organizations, Yvonne Odonkor, generously offered to lead a candid dialogue with a group of HR pros about race. Yvonne is a Sr HRBP at Freshbooks with about 15 years of HR experience. She’s a champion of diversity and inclusion who challenges the status quo regularly. I’m grateful to have received some straightforward feedback from her in the past that had a great impact on my awareness of my own privilege and biases.
Yvonne and other members of the group shared some very helpful resources that I’m sharing with our whole community. We are all in this together. I hope some of these resources are helpful to you. I’m hopeful that the massive swell of support for this movement means that real change will happen, and I hope that we can all become change agents for Anti-Racism.
Upcoming event
Learning to ROAR workshop – July 7, a 2.5 hour online workshop aimed at developing allyship. Hope to see you there.
Books to read
Me and White Supremacy (this is what I’m reading right now – I heard a fabulous black leader I follow, Leesa Renee Hall, call it a “book you do,” which is appropriate because each chapter has journal prompts for you to reflect on your own experience. It’s powerful and hard, and so helpful.)
White Fragility (this was Yvonne’s top recommendation – it will be my next read!)
So You Want to Talk About Race
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria
Other Resources
Talking Points for Speaking Up About Racism – Thank you to Shana for sharing this – as someone who doesn’t hesitate to step in when I see/hear something, I also often am not effective. This is super helpful.
Anti-Racism Solidarity Resources – a living google doc with definitions, tips, links to other resources, people to follow, funds to support and more
Speaking up About Anti-Black Racism – a linkedin Post – more Canada-centric but good insights for all
75 Things White People Can do For Racial Justice – more US-centric but good insights for all
Podcasts
1619 Project – an ongoing project with the goal of re-examining the legacy of slavery in the United States
Unlocking Us with Ibram X. Kendi (the author of HowTo Be An Anti-Racist)
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