I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the racial crisis happening at this moment. I do not have the perfect words right now, only feelings. As a trauma survivor, having experienced a different form of injustice, what I am feeling is a horrendously painful reminder of my past. A past filled with horrors that took me decades to recover from along with the accompanying feelings of insecurity, fear, anxiety, pain, helplessness, anger, and an inability to find my voice. For those of you who are suffering please know that I acknowledge your feelings as well as the various types of trauma you may be experiencing. To that end, I wanted to send along some resources that may help you process recent events. My heart goes out to any of you who may be suffering at this time.
Our philosophy at MD Consulting follows the premise that human beings have a responsibility to one another to create environments that are respectful, peaceful, productive, and psychologically safe. Continuous behavioral transformation is necessary to eliminate hostile and uncivil behavior in the workplace, home, and community. We are all leaders, with the amazing ability to educate and influence! I, personally, am committed to educating myself on the resources below with the intent of being a better person and a better coach.
RESOURCE LIST:
Understanding these current uprisings:
- Trevor Noah answers the question of ‘what is the benefit of riots and looting?’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4amCfVbA_c
5 minute video that easily displays how privilege works in our culture:
Great Episodes of ‘This American Life’ that handle race and privilege with detail and care:
- The problem we all live with: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/562/the-problem-we-all-live-with-part-one
- Three Miles (about schooling inequality): https://www.thisamericanlife.org/550/three-miles
Understanding racism and becoming ‘anti-racist’:
- Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad Follow her on insta here: https://www.instagram.com/laylafsaad/?hl=en (she also has a podcast)
- Rachel Cargle follow her on insta here: https://www.instagram.com/rachel.cargle/?hl=en
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo: https://goop.com/the-goop-podcast/robin-diangelo-on-dismantling-white-fragility/)
- Barack Obama’s Call to Action: https://medium.com/@BarackObama/how-to-make-this-moment-the-turning-point-for-real-change-9fa209806067
- For corporate leaders: https://hbr.org/2020/06/u-s-businesses-must-take-meaningful-action-against-racism?utm_campaign=hbr&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Explaining racism to children:
- Childrens book list: https://www.embracerace.org/resources/26-childrens-books-to-support-conversations-on-race-racism-resistance
Taking action: 75 things white people can do for racial justice: https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234