How to Move Forward with More Inclusivity and Diversity
Last week was heavy, full of uncertainty, and empowering! The protests that spread across the country made history, and the solidarity that was shown online expanded that reach. I had some of my most difficult conversations with liberal and conservative people alike, and thankfully all came out agreeing that systemic racism exists and it’s time to do something about it. As a white woman, I spent the week examining how I can contribute to the progress for a community that has had so many obstacles, and I’ve simplified my action plan into three steps: Listen. Learn. Advocate.
Listen
Listen by diversifying your social feeds, physical environment, and entertainment. Last week I followed 100+ accounts of black businesses, entrepreneurs, activists, and influencers, and my feed has more variety of experience than ever. Accounts I’ve already enjoyed are @nutritiontea who is dishing out facts about nutrition and how fad diets inappropriate use marketing, @diveinwell who is working to build more diversity in the wellness space, and @hayet.rida who is killing it as a creative strategist among other things. How we spend our time influences our views, habits, and behaviors. Start small by simply following people who many not look like you.
“How we spend our time influences our views, habits, and behaviors. Start small by simply following people who many not look like you. ”
Learn
Learn by reading anti-racism books, watching documentaries and movies about the black experience, and from missteps we may have when posting or talking about race. Here’s the thing: we are going to fail at talking about race, and we are going to be better for it. To fully understand the impact of privilege, unconscious bias, and prejudices, we must take action and be open-minded when we get constructive feedback from people who have experienced racism firsthand. When we learn, we are expanding our horizons and creating more opportunities for our brain to create newer, kinder patterns.
Advocate
Advocate by donating to organizations who are dedicated to racial equality, raising the voices of the black community, and continuing to have conversations with those who haven’t learned just yet. It’s our responsibility to create opportunities for not only ourselves but for those may not have had leadership like us in the past. An advocate does not “give” opportunities to people of color but ensure that their network is diverse to offer a more equal opportunity and is mindful of their prejudices when making decisions.
The biggest thing I learned in the last week is the term anti-racist. Not being racist is no longer a virtue instead you have to take action against the racists systems and ideas that prevent equal opportunity. Let’s make sure this moment in history doesn’t pass without positive change.