175: The Work of Anti-Racism as White Women with Carol Cox and Diane Diaz - a podcast by Carol Cox

from 2020-06-02T09:00

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This is a conversation for white women about our role and privilege in a racist and white supremacist society and the work *we* need to do.

As Kamala Harris said in a recent tweet: “The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor are not isolated incidents. They are the result of systematic racism that has existed for generations.”

I’ve seen on social media from white women that they’re uncertain and scared about what to say. 

Yes, it can feel risky to speak up, to say something, to not be silent.

But, our speaking up is *nothing* compared to the risk that Black women and men face every day. It’s the very least we can do - and it’s not enough.

Saying “I’m not racist” isn’t enough.

As white women, there's much work for us to do to recognize how we benefit from and uphold racism - and then do something about it.

'Ally' is a verb, not a noun (as I’ve learned from Black women who do anti-racism education).

In this episode, Diane Diaz and I talk about the work of anti-racism as white women.

“Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably." - NAC International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity - http://www.aclrc.com/antiracism-defined

“Speaking Your Brand” is about more than your business and marketing message; it’s who you are and what you value - and what you explicitly tell and show to the world about what matters and what you’re willing to do.

Our starting place for our own work as white women is the book “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla F. Saad.

I highly recommend you purchase her book and work through it. We’re going to be doing so with our clients.

As white women, we need to:

  • Recognize our privilege - and be willing to lose it
  • Understand that we have unconscious bias
  • Learn the history of how integral racial hierarchy and slavery were to the U.S. constitution and our capitalist economic system - and how it continues to this day
  • Be aware of what’s going on in the news
  • Call out racist talk
  • Take risks, including potentially losing revenue and opportunities
  • Listen and learn
  • Speak up, but not over
  • Be more than intentional - be explicit
  • Lift up the voices of Black women and women of color
  • Purchase from Black-owned businesses
  • Direct people to Black women who are doing this work
  • Vote for candidates who advocate for marginalized groups

 

We welcome your questions and thoughts about this episode. You can email me at carol@speakingyourbrand.com.

 

About Us: The Speaking Your Brand podcast is hosted by Carol Cox, joined by our top speaking coach Diane Diaz. At Speaking Your Brand, we help women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and gain more visibility to achieve their goals. Through women’s stories and voices, we challenge the status quo and change existing systems to benefit more people. Learn about our coaching programs at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com. 



Resources:

Show notes at https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/175

 

Books & Articles:



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Related Podcast Episodes:

Further episodes of Speaking Your Brand: Public Speaking for Women

Further podcasts by Carol Cox

Website of Carol Cox