What is systemic racism and how do we identify its effects? Consider three points. First, we have to be willing to recognize that broad patterns are made up of individual experiences and events, that these individual threads make up the tapestry of our society. Second, we have to understand that it is always possible to weave an explanation for each of those events in isolation without referencing racism, and that it will always be easier to focus on one thread rather than recognize the overall pattern. Third, we need the courage to say that, regardless of ‘but in this case…’ arguments, if the event fits neatly into a well-documented pattern of exclusion, undermining, and discrimination, then it is in fact part of the social tapestry that maintains the status quo through exclusion, undermining, and discrimination. I am repeatedly mystified by the failure (inability, or unwillingness?) to connect broad, well-documented patterns of inequity to individual stories and events. I have seen this failure in all sectors, at every organizational level, and at every stage of career advancement. It is a failure to connect research to practice. It is a failure to anticipate and forestall challenges that should be easy to predict. But mostly, it is a failure of courage. At the dawn of 2024, I had hoped for better. https://lnkd.in/g3RUdKS2