It takes a team
“The dismantling of institutionalized racism and discriminatory systems requires collaborative and courageous leadership at all levels.”
Martin Luther King Jr. beautifully shared his vision when he spoke “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
But as we witnessed domestic terrorism scale the white columns of the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, we were left shocked, holding the torn figments and fragments of a dream. That day, we witnessed the dark consequences of racist rhetoric, hate-filled speech, and insurrectionist actions resulting in unleashed chaos, violence and murder.
The challenges that we are facing require a collective and courageous response. It will require us to work together as a team of equals to remove the danger at our doorstep. We must awaken from our slumber of silence to stand up and speak up against the messages of fear, hate and intolerance.
While it has often been said that “teamwork makes the dream work,” it is important to highlight that for the dream to work it must be a vision shared by most, if not all, members. Unfortunately, it has been common practice for many individuals, organizations, corporations and governments to dismiss, disregard and silence minority stakeholders in the creation of goals, programs and policies.
To address and remedy the problems of systemic discriminatory practices and institutionalized racism embedded in our social and political systems will require a collective team effort. Most importantly it will require the capacity and courage to provide platform and voice to those who have been silenced for centuries.
The concept of teamwork is essential in life. It is the collective efforts of many that create and transform industries, organizations and communities. The steps towards transformation and change can begin by having heartfelt conversations at dinner tables, in classrooms, in office corridors or even in NBA locker rooms.
Professional NBA players work tirelessly to achieve their team goals of becoming world champions. This is a goal that neither team members, the coach, nor a team executive can accomplish individually. It takes the effort and support of all stakeholders for NBA teams to reach their championship goals. To get even more specific, let’s take a look at the team conversations and discussions that took place in the Milwaukee Bucks locker room before their playoff game against the Orlando Magic last summer.
The recent shooting of Jacob Blake had deeply affected team members and supporting staff of the Milwaukee Bucks organization.
Team members, staff and leadership needed time and space to openly discuss and share their concerns regarding the shooting. The honest and emotional conversations that took place in the locker room resulted in the Bucks’ walkout protest against the shooting of Jacob Blake. This team action also resulted in other NBA playoff teams sitting out in protest. The Bucks’ Kyle Korver shared that it wasn’t his role to give his opinion or share his thoughts; the key elements of his response, he said, would be personal reflection and in-depth listening to his team members. He explained that his role was to stand with the marginalized, listen to their thoughts, support their voices and find ways to help. His point is simple and clear: stand with those discriminated against, listen, listen and listen some more.
The dismantling of institutionalized racism and discriminatory systems requires collaborative and courageous leadership at all levels. The Milwaukee Bucks team and the larger Bucks organization took the time that day to understand and listen to its players and staff, setting an example of compassionate leadership in the NBA. This collective response sets a precedent for individuals, corporations and institutions to embody a unified team response against racism, and become true champions.
