Advancing Consciousness at Work: Why DEI and Racial Equity Matter Here
At Cofinity, we are working to advance Consciousness at Work, and DEI / Racial Equity is part of this work. It begins with having awareness of the problems that exist, awareness of how our frameworks, systems, and beliefs have been established and therefore have influenced our privilege, (in)exclusion, leadership, and biases. We are 'waking up' to the change that is required in our companies, communities and world for all people to feel valued, included, and have equal opportunities to thrive.
We aim to shift the fundamental belief that white people are superior to black people and people of color.
We believe human is human.
And, as a women Founder/CEO of Cofinity, a white woman, a woman of hispanic ancestry, and a woman of privilege, I am here to do my part.
In 2010, at the Vancouver Peace Summit, The Dali Lama said, "The world will be saved by western women."
We believe he didn't mean white women! He meant ALL women.
About The RAARE Women's Collective
A Community Creating Change Together
We are so excited to be an Ambassador to the RAARE Women's Collective. A collective of white women, black women, and women of color creating frameworks and initiatives we collectively clarify and implement together that will eradicate racism.
We know Black people alone can't change the face of racism and white people can't either. Only in community can we make real change. We are looking forward to THIS community and coming together to vision and originate change that will change our world.
As we get ready for Louisville in November, we wanted to share some highlights from our September online webinar.
Foundational Understanding: Racism and Racial Equity Defined
Racism
Racism is the belief that black and brown people are inferior human beings to white people and it's the systems, structures, policies and institutions that protect that belief.
Racial Equity
Racial Equity is as much about a movement. REVOLUTION redefined.
Proportional Fairness that takes into full account the cultural and historic and historic realities facing people of color, as distinct from all other people, and works to remedy the same.
Proportional Fairness in Action: The Role of White Women
How White Women Can Partner With Black Women
We are planning to create a unified partnership on racial equity.
How can white women partner with black women? How can we be 'coached' and learn from Black women about what is required for change to occur.
Why White Women? We have proximity to white men, AND we have access and ability.
There are many historically significant white women who have championed change: Joan C. Browning, Joan Mulholland, Jane Elliot, Anne Braden, and most recently all the white women in Louisville who stood arm and arm against what happened to Briana Taylor.
What would it look like if women from all over the country stood shoulder to shoulder and declared… "Enough!"
Acknowledging the Weight of History
Black women have a right to feel cautious entering this space.
There has been centuries of trauma endured by black people at the hands of white people.
White people have a track record of abuse and as a result, there is a lack of trust.
There has been a lack of acknowledgement of power-over dynamics and no significant change since the Civil Rights movement.
Why This Work Is Inherently Disruptive
Racial Equity and DEI work is the de facto disruptive work: 1) it's counter cultural, 2) it's deep seeded, 3) it's emotional and sometimes hard, and 4) White women have the right to lead in this space of advancing racial equity with the support of black women. White women do have a right to have a point of view on racism as well. Black women don't own the right to be angry at it.
The Real Cost of Racism
What Racism Has Stolen — Economically and Culturally
There is a COST to Hate. Racism has cost our country 16 TRILLION (that's trillion) dollars in lost GDP over the last 20 years. In racism, we ALL lose.
monetary policy (interest rates - federal reserve), fiscal policy (infrastructure budget - congress) - they rely on the health of the middle class - they are the proxy for how the economy works - when making decisions (what is the middle class doing?) By 2025 will be mainly hispanic and black - first time they are meaningfully representative - lack of economic mobility is due to racism
Culturally there has been a degradation of decency. We are aware of it, yet will not take part in shaming others or harm swapping.
Where the Work Begins: Starting Within
The Inner Work of Racial Equity
The work of racism, like anything else begins WITHIN. We must investigate our own truths, understand, admit, and learn about how we can transform the old into new ideologies, beliefs, and actions.
Starting the inner work: investigate your beliefs, manage your emotions, dialogue with others with curiosity, not judgment
The goal is NOT to transform in one single conversation, your goal is to soften AND SHOW them an alternative. And good news is, as we really begin to understand the authentic mastery and leveraging of who we are as women, our naturally influential selves, can really have impact. - Nikki Lanier
Ask yourself: What has racism stolen from you? From you personally?
We are shifting the win-lose mindset to win-win. There is not only 1 pie.
Learn more about Nikki Lanier and her work creating racial equity in the workplace as a Founder of Harper Slade LLC here.
