Racism Talk

Talking to Youth About Race and Prejudice

Nationwide protests in response to the Black Lives Matter movement have sparked immediate conversations about race, justice, policing and politics at home and in the workplace.  Discussing racial inequality and equity can be difficult and emotionally deep for some people, but the conversations are critical, and organizations are strongly encouraged to promote and engage in thoughtful dialogue with all employees.   Change won’t happen overnight, but by opening honest conversations, it will lead to a civil effort toward reframing history, our society, and human fairness across all organizations.

Anti-Racism Resources

Resources on combating systemic racism.

Books:

  • White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
  • Uprooting Racism by Paul Kivell

Podcast:

  • 1619 (New York Times)

Movies:

  • We are The Giant
  • Putaparri and The Rainmakers
  • Quest
  • Do Not Resist
  • West Wind: Djalu’s Legacy
  • Just Mercy
  • 1 Angry Black Man
  • First Australians
  • I am not your Negro

Children’s Book List For Anti-Racist Act

21-Day Racial Equity Challenge

Understanding and building change

Habit Building

Join the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge to deeping your understanding of privilege, oppression, and equity.  We welcome you as individuals and tribal communities to continue raising awareness, and shift the way racial inequalities and injustices are taught.

Please commit to three weeks of exploring and uncovering racial bias.

The Michigan League for Public Policy created the 21-day challenge.  

Click below to take the challenge.

Diversity and Cultural Equity in a Workplace Environment

Start the uncomfortable talk while managing diversity in the workplace

Ideas to improve diversity and cultural equity in a workplace setting:

  • Heritage celebration month (diversity calendar):  Promote activities dedicated to a specific group in raising awareness and its history while embracing the richness of its culture.
  • Sensitivity/perspective-taking diversity training:  Taking on different perspectives by putting themselves in the shoes of someone else.
  • Treat each employee as an individual:  Judge successes and failures on the individual’s quality rather than attributing actions to their background.
  • Being an ally:  Validate the person’s feelings, whether it be sadness, shock, frustration, confusion or shared discomfort.

Encouraging cultural diversity is the way forward for organizations, and it will have a lasting impact and competitive advantage over others in terms of creativity, innovation, and overall branding.

The Resource Basket

This is a RurAL CAP affiliated program.