IT STARTS WITH ME

Black History Month began in 1970 from Carter G. Woodson’s dedication to educating, promoting, and celebrating Black history, achievements, and culture. For most of my life, If you had asked me what Black History month was, that would have been my answer.

In May 2020, George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, while others watched; and because of social media, the world watched— I watched. I was shocked; but, I was shocked because of the privilege I was born into and raised in. 

Until that moment…. I had all of the facts. I studied psychology, criminology, and sociology in college; I worked as a deputy probation officer and in a correctional facility; I’ve toured a max security prison. I thought I had all of the facts surrounding the criminal justice industrial complex; but, it was like they went in one ear and out the other- it didn’t affect me. Not to mention: I was educated by white men, I never had all of the facts.

As the BLM movement gained momentum, I knew I couldn’t continue being as ignorant and complacent as I had been in the past. I had the books (The New Jim Crow, Among the Lowest of The Dead: The Culture of Capital Punishment, The Social Animal, The Death Penalty: America’s Experience with Capital Punishment, The Rich get Richer and the Poor get Prison), social media was all around me, and I was surrounded by people who also cared and took action. 

I’ve always been someone who is very out of sight, out of mind; and fundamental human rights weren’t something I wanted to leave my mind once the energy of other white people and the media died down— especially since, I realized, that’s exactly what has happened throughout history.

As a starting point, I completely changed my algorithm on Instagram and TikTok to support and learn from Black creators. But, I also wanted to ensure that I wasn’t just supporting on social media. I’ve made sure that I’ve been calling/emailing my local government to demand change; and, really putting my money where my mouth is. In our world, money matters— I’ve made it a priority to shop at Black-owned businesses, and to support companies that are also working towards crucial change.

I’m also extremely lucky to have friends who have dived into different industries that they’re passionate about— like fashion, health & wellness, and food/nutrition— to learn about the history of how the Black community contributed to the success of those industries, and share with me how inequality and racism have and continues to permeate them today.

As a new Sr. Sourcer here at Gong, I was worried about how my privilege would influence my ability to bring diversity to the team. I didn’t want to deter potential Gongsters from coming on board because they don’t feel like they can trust or relate to me as I walk them through the hiring process. I want to make sure everyone is comfortable, but I know that I’ll never fully be able to understand their experience— I’ll never experience the same biases, oppression, and racism. So, I’ve focused instead on what I can do to make a difference.

I can make sure that the interview process reflects the community and compassion Gong has given me. I can help to make the interview process more accessible to all working and learning styles: I’m working with our Black ERG, The Neighborhood (Specifically, @Camille Pressley and @Gabrielle Blackwell) to attract more Black talent; and, I’m exploring partnerships with companies like Year Up and YUPRO—who are working to close the Opportunity Divide (Shout out to @Abby Salvador for suggesting I look into them!). I can make the choice, as a white cis woman, to use my privilege to work towards eliminating the biases and racism that are systemically engrained into my world. I know that I’m going to make a ton of mistakes along the way; and when that happens, I’m prepared to take responsibility for my actions and ignorance and use them as an opportunity to learn, grow, and be better.

Each February, we focus on celebrating Black history, achievements, and culture. But how do I use my white privilege to help normalize the concept that Black History IS American History? American History isn’t just comprised of what we were taught in school: Our history and everything we’ve built rest on the reliance and power of Black Americans and their ancestors, whose backs we’ve ridden on for 400+ years without any due compensation or credit.

I challenge all of you reading this accept @Rachel.Cargle’s (Instagram), challenge to those of us with privilege— let’s #dothework this month. Rachel is posting daily prompts to research and appreciate Black history that has been all but completely erased— and I’ll be completing all of them. It’s a small place to start, but it’s only the beginning of ensuring that Black History Month isn’t just out of sight and out of mind for me come March— because Black history IS American history.