12 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Race Relations Across America

In 2015, as a part of The America We Live In: A Story of Black & White, I wrote...

America's biggest problem is its constant denial that it has a race problem. And even in the wake of all of the news regarding the killing of 9 innocent victims in an African American Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, many are spending a considerable amount of time trying to explain away and rationalize how this senseless act of domestic terror could have happened in the land of the free.

We are now remembering the victims in the mass shooting in El Paso, TX.

And with this remembrance comes a harsh reality — America helped create the monster that committed this crime.

And as much as we'd like to believe otherwise, we continue to face a point in our country's history where there are mirrors at every turn reflecting multiple perspectives of the same image.

We all hold influence over ourselves, our families, our friends, our work environments, our churches and our communities. And while there are multiple sides to our debate, we must all be on the side of the children, the women, and the men who were injured or lost their lives because of the color of their skin.

Many are asking, 'What Can I Do? I'm Not Racist' while not understanding there is much we all must do to improve race relations across America.

The following is just a beginner's guide to the small steps you can take everyday that have a huge impact.

1) Resolve That Racism and Its Effects Are Still a Part of Today's Culture & Are Not Beliefs Exhibited Only by Members of the Baby Boomer or The Mature Generations.

Like any 12-step program, we have to first admit we have a problem. There is plenty of evidence from several respected studies that show we are not a post-racial society. Thoroughly making yourself knowledgable of the data is crucial. But reading and understanding the data is only the first step. In order to be effective, it must be shared with those within your sphere of influence (family, friends, colleagues, and leaders).

We must also understand that racism is societal, institutional, cultural, and an individual issue. It is part of a system that we have inhaled and very much a part of everyday experiences. 

8 Top Resources

• The Hidden Racism Of Young White Americans

• 15 Charts That Prove We're Far From Post-Racial 

• Schools’ Discipline for Girls Differs By Race and Hue

• Millennials Are Less Racially Tolerant Than You Think

• The US Is Much Less Inclusive Than It Was Two Years Ago

• U.S. Hate Groups Rose 30 Percent In Recent Years, Watchdog Group Reports

• Smart People Are As Racist As Less-Smart People - But Smart Enough to Hide It

• A Sociologist Examines The “White Fragility” That Prevents White Americans From Confronting Racism

2) Be Introspective. Begin to Re-Examine Your Own Beliefs About People of Different Races / Ethnic Backgrounds.

It is often easier to point to others than to hold a mirror up to ourselves and see that the "they believe" statement is really an "I believe" feeling. Do you notice a pattern of negative thoughts about one group over the other when the exhibited behavior is identical? If you find yourself being prejudiced, ask yourself why you acted or behaved that way. Be willing to change how you think about groups different from your own.

Ponder the following questions:

• Do you live in a community or attend events that are racially homogeneous?

• Is your personal life composed mostly of people who look like you?

• Are your best friends all the same race?

• Do you see a preponderance of one race over the other when scrolling through your Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram connections?

• How has your upbringing and environment influenced your racial attitude?

• Have your ideas of race ever changed? What happened to change them?

3) Be a Critical Reader, Viewer, and Listener.

When you watch TV and movies or while you read books, magazines, internet sites, or listen to music, be critical.

What stereotypical images or messages are you getting about different ethnic and racial groups?

How are racial and ethnic groups being represented?

Are they in a wide range of roles or only certain ones?

The mass media provides the images, symbols, and narratives that shape the way we understand society. Are you associating broad judgements about groups based on these media images?

4) Engage in Respectful and Constructive Dialogue.

The first key is to practice active listening which is defined as fully concentrating on what is being said rather than just passively 'hearing' the message of the speaker. Active listening involves listening with all of your senses. The objective is not to simply hear someone's story of experiences but to develop a human connection that transcends from your ears to your heart.

In addition, one must be respectful. Ask probing questions to gain a deeper understanding of what is being said. There can be no understanding without a conversation built on mutual respect and honesty.

5) Adopt a Zero-Tolerance Attitude Towards Racism.

This might involve redefining friendships, proactively engaging family members, holding leaders accountable, and taking an active stand against people who cling to racist beliefs or exhibit racist behavior.

Never forget, inaction is a form of action.

Any behavior or beliefs not addressed sends a strong message that you are in agreement and condone the belief or behavior.

"Cruel jokes can’t go unchallenged, offhand comments about not wanting “those people” in the neighborhood can’t be ignored, and news reports about poverty and crime and discrimination can’t just evoke our sympathy — even empathy — they must also spur us to action and prompt us to question our own assumptions and privilege." - Hillary Clinton, 6.20.15

6) Learn the Language of Inclusion. 

Over the years, many of my clients have initially struggled to find a common language of inclusion. Missteps and misunderstandings can often happen simply by using language that includes terms like "all" or "always" to describe behaviors and attitudes about an entire group. 

Be mindful not to fall into the stereotype trap and instead use terms that are inclusive in nature.

Start by downloading a glossary of key terms and definitions, The Language of Inclusion, used by nearly 75,000 HR & Global Diversity and Inclusion Leaders and expand your knowledge and comfort level of all individuals when engaging in dialogue about Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the workplace.

7) Learn To Value AND Accept America's FULL History. 

Learn about the accomplishments of all Americans by attending monthly celebrations - such as Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month events - as a way to learn about people and historical milestones oftentimes excluded from America's taught history.

Join your company's Business Resource Groups and attend company sponsored events that celebrate each group.

You will want to also download the Diversity Calendar.

In a world that has become increasingly more diverse than the year before, every organization needs a reminder of cultural holidays, religious observances, and celebrations from around the world. Celebrating these holidays and observances reinforces an organization’s commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging and builds awareness among all employees of our similarities and differences.

Rosa Gumataotao Rios was the 43rd Treasurer of the United States from 2009 to 2016 and is a Visiting Scholar at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.

Rosa was the...

• 6th Latina to Occupy the Office of U.S. Treasurer,

• 3rd Consecutive Hispanic Female, and

• 2nd Consecutive Mexican-American

To put this in more context - between the years of 2009 and 2016 as U.S. Treasurer - Rosa's name was required on ALL OF THE CURRENCY IN THE UNITED STATES.

The very idea that Latinos / Hispanic Americans, Blacks / African Americans, or Asians / Asian Americans are any less American than any other group is fully rooted in racial bias.

Moreover, The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has written specific rules that protect people, mostly immigrants, against employment discrimination on the basis of their national origin. The agency is responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age and disability.

“Ethnic slurs and other verbal or physical conduct because of nationality are illegal if they are severe or pervasive and create an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment, interfere with work performance, or negatively affect job opportunities,” the commission said on its website to describe harassment based on national origin.

“Examples of potentially unlawful conduct include insults, taunting, or ethnic epithets, such as making fun of a person’s foreign accent or comments like, ‘Go back to where you came from,’ whether made by supervisors or co-workers,” it continued.

8) Remember We Are Part of the Same Family and Much More Alike Than We Are Different. 

Race is a social construct not rooted in science.

In fact, according to one article, "Researchers examined 145,000 DNA samples provided to genetic testing company 23andme for ancestry analysis. They determined that at least six million Americans who called themselves white had at least 1 percent African ancestry. South Carolina and Louisiana ranked highest on the list. Researchers found that one in 20 people who called themselves white in those states had at least 2 percent African ancestry. And in a lot of the South, about 10 percent of people who identified as white turned out to have African DNA as well."

Thoroughly review the full study, The Genetic Ancestry of African Americans, Latinos, and European Americans Across the United States.

9) Step Out of Your Comfort Zone.

Involve yourself in activities that place you in an environment where you are exposed to people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Who do you dine with or invite to your home? 

When you host events, do you notice the omission of underrepresented groups?

Spend time reflecting on the why and proactively make changes to include everyone.

10) Vote In Every Election.

This means actively taking part in all local, state, and federal elections and exploring the platforms of all candidates; not just those who identify with your party. Look to elect candidates that promote inclusion of all people and exhibit inclusive behaviors and values. Don't just expect it, demand it.

11) Imagine a World Without Hate & Help Cultivate It.

— AND —

12) Just Do Right. 

"Make it a better world. Just where you are...And it can be better. And it must be better — but it is up to us." - Dr. Maya Angelou

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