Should I talk to My Team About... Racism?

Yes.  

This will not be an easy conversation.  And, it is one that needs to take place.  We must be willing to open up the discussion to grow as people and as business leaders.  

For some of us, this conversation will be a time to listen and learn.  Opening our minds and accepting that our personal experience is not the only reality in America. Then, we can leverage our positions of power, prosperity, authority, privilidge, clout, influence, etc. to change the individual and systemic circumstances that allow bigotry and hatred to survive in our country, as well as in our workplace.  

This is not a criticism of privilidge.  Privilidge is a factor of luck and circumstances but it does not limit our intention, our ability to take action and ally ourselves with those that do not benefit from it.  Use privilidge to take action; use it to progress as a person, a business leader and a member of the great American experiment.

Some smart, healthy, grounded people put together a list of learning resources: ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES.   These are the types of videos, pamphlets, books, etc. that will help us expand our knowledge grow and then take action. Use this resource list to guide learning, personal and collective learning.  Then bring it into the workplace conversations.  Ideally, employers and leaders can use listening and learning to turn this time of tragic inequity to a historical marker.  

Be vulnerable. Be honest.  Be willing to learn.  Have the conversation.