Tough Conversations in the Workplace are Highlights of the Month
Why Dialogue on Social Justice is Good for the Soul
Writing has been beneficial to me for so many reasons. Mainly it is a mode of communication where you can express yourself and be as free as you want to be with your thoughts. When there is something heavy on your mind or on your heart, writing lends a way to escape or rather a way of coping with such emotions. Writing can also cement a positive experience you’ve had.
Today I sat in a virtual professional learning community with roughly 20 colleagues and discussed the topic of microaggressions. This workgroup was recently developed to explore various topics related to equity and diversity through a social justice perspective. The members of the group volunteered to learn more.
Having a Diverse Work Niche
It’s important to have a niche where you can discuss the social ills that are happening around you. These ills can permeate your mind and heart and affect work production and concentration. Particular upsets like the social unrest in our country have been too much for this black girl.
For many black people, it is most comfortable to talk with other black people on highly personal matters such as race and prejudice, especially as it is displayed regularly in the media. Blacks who relate to the issue of systemic racism in our country do not attribute all to politics, Democrat vs Republican, but rather an overarching problem associated with race, privilege, and social inequalities.
Prior to my partner presenting on the topic for the month, the floor opened with today’s current event that dealt with the severe violent attack at the capitol just a couple of days ago.
It was pretty awesome to witness this diverse group come together as it did. I and the co-presenters who are black women, look forward to the sessions. Not only do we get to inform but also, share experiences and hear the experiences of others.
We had an opportunity to collectively discuss what the whole world witnessed in horror. Although sadly many were not surprised, we were able to address this atrocity that was right in front of our eyes through meaningful discussion. We were able to see privilege written all over it.
This outlet was just what we needed. It has been a space where we have been able to talk freely and allow differing opinions as well as similarities in our work experiences and in our communities. It has become very therapeutic for many of us.
Why it works
This setup works because the people who signed up want to learn more. It is not an initiative from the department to mandate all participate in a monthly meeting to discuss equity and diversity simply because it’s a hot topic right now. Instead, these are individuals who realize they know very little or want to learn more and possibly want to be change agents for social justice. They want to know how they can be effective in their jobs when relating to people who don’t look like them.
It’s been refreshing to have a space where discussions like these can occur and professionalism and authenticity are present.
As we learn about each other, so we learn about ourselves. ~William Harnell
What’s the Benefit
I realize not everyone in the group is at the same level of consciousness or “wokeness” but I believe it is a start at laying the groundwork for the road ahead. America is falling apart at the seams and we need to build up its citizens to take part in putting pieces back, even if it’s in small circles like this one.
The hope is that these conversations will trickle into talks with others in the workplace, home, and community.
We must look at how micro conversations can lead to effective change.
Of course, these sessions will not be the end to learning, at least I hope not.
Good for Our Well Being
When we listen to our hearts and minds, we are better for it. Mindfulness addresses what is happening in the present. It’s partly, paying attention to how our body feels. If we are tense, sad, or upset, we need to know what to do with these emotions so we are not stuck.
One way we address this sense of imbalance or anxiousness is to talk with others.
We can talk in smaller groups or one on one to truly reap the benefit of “talking it out.” I believe having healthy talks on race reduces anxiety. Folks may become more comfortable talking about other topics following a healthy topic on race.
Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it just can’t be up to people of color to deal with it. It’s up to all of us- Black, white, everyone- no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. ~Michelle Obama
