For next week’s session at The Proximity Project, we’ll be talking about the history and present-day manifestations of racism in America and how proximate we are to the pain of racism.
But this week, as so many are once again in pain about the lack of justice in the Breonna Taylor case, I thought it’s important I share a quick note.
Here are some thoughts on how schools and organizations can respond in moments like these:
- Recognize the pain – It usually adds insult to injury when you’re in pain, when you’re mourning, and when you feel hopeless and your employer or your teacher/school leaders proceed with business as usual. If you’re not personally proximate to people of color (or if you don’t create space in your classroom/school/organization), you may not always realize the depth of the pain felt in moments like these. I’ve pulled just a handful of posts I saw from black folks on my social media timeline that provides an example of the load black people are carrying right now. Create space to hear how black folks feel but also recognize that some don’t feel like talking/discussing right now.
- Say something – If one of our students, colleagues, or staff members lost a family member, we would at a minimum offer our condolences and ask how we could be supportive. We should show that same concern and love in moments like this. Official statements aren’t enough but, if they are done well, they can show that the leaders in schools or organizations recognize the pain and actually care. Here’s what you can do if your organization has been silent.
- Do something – We’ve seen so many examples of schools and companies getting backlash because they put out statements without reflecting on how they have been complicit or internally/externally hypocritical. Make sure you’re ready to “commit to substantive (versus simply performative) action, grounded in acknowledgment.” (AJ Crabill)
- Embrace complexity – We’re dealing with 400 years of black pain. Give black folks grace and don’t expect easy answers/solutions. Someone might appreciate your response to this moment and someone else might be offended by it. Black folks aren’t a monolith and should be allowed to hold a complexity of emotions in response to systemic racism. Humility and empathy will be a difference-maker.
