What Is Your Commitment To Antiracism in 2022?

Amanda and I were asked this question at a presentation in December, given by consultants Otisa Eads and Lydia Hooper through the Consultants For Good network. It was a challenging and engaging presentation. The question is very specific and inspired deep reflection.

 The thing is, racism hasn’t gone away. Despite the very high public profile given to certain instances of racism over the last couple of years; despite the widespread outrage that was expressed; and despite vows that many of us took to obliterate racism, it is still present – in the heart of our community.

 Otisa and Lydia presented data that showed that despite all these things, funding to racial justice organizations remains low, funding to black-led organizations remains inequitable, and financial pledges from major corporations to address antiracism are yet to materialize. Nothing has really changed.

 This is why the question posed to us, “What is your commitment to antiracism in 2022?” is so important. As white bodied people who were outraged by the racially motivated violence and bigotry that exists at the heart of our society, we have committed ourselves to standing shoulder to shoulder with our black neighbors in the fight against racism. In June 2020, we issued the following statement:

In these dark times, we are grateful for the tireless, agonizing work of our nonprofit community. We know that behind the scenes our nonprofit leaders have been, and are continuing to, fight for communities of color to bring about real change.

We stand beside you and hear you; we are ready and willing to help. While we know we can’t comprehend the ugliness the black community faces on a daily basis, we as individuals and as a company will not tolerate the violence, racism, and bigotry that has yet again been brought to the forefront by the senseless loss of life.

The statement is as relevant today as it was in 2020, and all the decades before then. Our action is needed today too. In response to the question asked of us by Otisa and Lydia, we will renew our pledge, we will make antiracism a foundational issue in our work, and we will remain open to feedback as to how we might be more effective partners in the ongoing fight against racism.

 We would like to ask you the same question that we were asked in December. What is your commitment to antiracism in 2022? You could begin your first board or staff meeting of the year with this question, discuss how your organizational values relate to antiracism, and draw up some action items that you as community leaders can take to address racial oppression and injustice. Tackle the question boldly and decide where you stand.

 One huge action item that all organizations can take would be to engage in a facilitated dialogue around issues of race, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. This would be to engage in a learning process that could transform your potential and that of your organization to address these issues effectively. One year, we need to look back and see that great change has occurred in relation to racism. Let’s make it 2022.

 Please check-out our upcoming blog, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as Core Values, for more resources and practical next steps your organization can take.

Special thanks to:

Otisa Eads Human Resource Expert and Systems Strategist

Lydia Hooper Organizational Consultant