Black people like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and Ahmaud Arbery have been killed in American cities, sparking civil upheaval. Nationwide, protesters are demanding justice for them and all Black people.
More non-Black people have confronted institutional racism and considered how it has benefited them in huge and minor ways since the protests and riots. That may be you. With so much time spent at work, you may be asking how to be a better ally to Black and brown people.
Here are 5 ways to support individuals of color at work.
- Look Inward
During George Floyd’s murder demonstrations, actress Lea Michele tweeted, “#BlackLivesMatter,” criticizing systematic racism and police violence. However, her former Glee co-star Samantha Marie Ware said Michele made her life a “living hell.” Other Black Glee co-stars, including Amber Riley, then suggested that Ware’s experience was not unique. Ware claims Michele came close to apologizing, but she was unaware that her earlier statements and behavior would make her appear hypocritical.
Before you start your fight to make your company more inclusive, look critically about yourself. Have you profited from your race or privilege at work? Who are your trusted coworkers? Do you only discuss race with Black or other individuals of color at work? Why are you often mixing up the office’s two Black women’s names? Do you “sister-girl” them into embarrassing oblivion when talking to them? Why are you giving them fried chicken and natural hair articles (my coworker did this)?
Introspection is necessary but preliminary. After assessing your past acts, you can consider future ones.
- Ask For Honest Feedback
If you feel comfortable, ask a trusted coworker, regardless of race, for honest input on how you can improve as a coworker or with colleagues of color. If they answer, “Oh you’re fine,” your fact-finding quest is not over—they may not feel comfortable talking to you about these things, they may not have seen anything that raises a red flag, or they may not have paid attention to these things before.
When asking a Black person or person of color, offer a guilt-free choice to decline. Allow for the potential that they may remark they’re uncomfortable or lack energy. Teaching white people not to be racist can be exhausting, tedious, and unappreciated. Honestly, not all people of color are anti-racism specialists.
Feedback might reveal what you don’t know and what you need to learn.
- Learn and Share
No need to ask Black or other persons of color for advice: You can consult other white folks who have done this work. Ask about insightful resources and practical ways they’ve shown allyship.
Lots of books have been written regarding institutional mechanisms that perpetuate inequality and racism. Victoria Alexander, a PhD student at the University of Maryland, recommends some Blackness and anti-racism books. British Vogue and Vulture suggest race, injustice, and policing documentaries for visual learners.
Share the knowledge. Being an ally is encouraging others to be allies. This may be a company-wide reading list, a book club for coworkers to discuss race and bias, or a gathering to create tangible steps to end workplace racism.
- Always recruit
Netflix’s previous Chief Talent Officer Patty McCord encouraged employees to “Always Be Recruiting,” even when they weren’t hiring managers. In 2018, she told the Society for Human Resource Management that candidates can come from wherever, and keeping an open mind can mean considering more individuals of color as good job candidates.
Thus, much of hiring involves networking to meet and get to know additional non-white sector professionals. Whether you’re an entry-level assistant or a CEO, regularly expanding your network can increase the number of prospects you can recommend when a position opens up.
- Understand that allyship is ongoing
Knowing institutional racism is so pervasive and invasive is stressful. It’s everywhere, so dismantling will be difficult. Train like this work is a marathon, not a sprint. It implies staying open to learning and accepting that you’ll make mistakes. There’s no single method to be an ally, therefore it takes a critical eye inner and outward to find the ideal approach.
Be kind to yourself—no one is perfect. If you recognize this and try to help and understand others, your actions will say loudly to Black and brown coworkers.
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