Tipping Point That May Finally Cause Racial Injustice and Inequality to Come to an End

With the terrible killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, myself and so many of us are feeling outraged, discouraged, and ashamed. Out of this terrible loss of life, I am optimistic that a tipping point has finally occurred where the Black Lives Matter (too) message will transform the U.S. culture and ideally the global culture. I envision that we will look back at 2020 as the tipping point that racial injustice and inequality came to an end. As a society, we need to stop thinking in terms of “my people” and think in terms that everyone in our society are “OUR people”.

In a message from Pastor Rick Warren recently, he commented: “If one of us is denied justice, none of us can ignore it. If one of us isn’t safe, none of us is safe. And if one of us can be abused, all of us will lose.” He went on to quote, Romans 12:21 (NIV), “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good!” He went on to add that “racism and prejudice and bigotry are extremely strong forces because they are based on human fears. But there is a stronger force. And that force is the love of God through us.”

My colleague, Jeff Jernigan, PhD (https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/jeff-jernigan-phd-3454846/), authored an article on behalf of my Stanton Chase Los Angeles office titled “The Heart of the Matter” that I would like to share with you … 

“ ‘I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character,” Martin Luther King, Jr.

“To be reminded by history that we have not learned from history to think and act differently toward one another cuts through all the hyperbole we use to describe our social progress. The events of the last few weeks sadden and discourage us all. No matter who you are or where you are in the world, we have turned a page back in history in a manner that morally injures our collective social conscience.

“Here at Stanton Chase Los Angeles, we are resolved to be transformational in our collective sphere of influence. We desire to be better informed, more aware, creatively and positively engaged in the community, and involved in respecting and honoring social and cultural differences. We are committed to authenticity when it comes to acknowledging our own bias, and to be learners when it comes to those subliminal and unconscious expressions of prejudice and even hate. We recognize that our homes, neighborhoods, churches, schools, and workplaces cannot be different until we are different together.

“Join us in commitment to a new personal integrity willing to risk transparency and vulnerability in working toward greater virtue in every aspect of daily life and work. When we stumble, others will help us up. When we cross a line, friends will hold us accountable with kindness. When we fail to offer that same grace and kindness to others, we will lean into tomorrow committed to make a difference that encourages others to be difference makers as well.

“ ‘No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite,’ Nelson Mandela.”

Change begins in the home. Those of us who are parents need to understand that they are the most influential people in our children's lives. Children are shaped and will model what they learn in the home. In your home, workplace, shopping, visiting friends, making new friends, etc., be a role model as someone who treats all people with equality. Let 2020 be the tipping point racial where injustice and inequality came to an end.

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About the Author

Bill Brewer is a Director with the Los Angeles office of Stanton Chase and executive search and executive assessment firm. He is the North America Human Resources Practice Leader. Bill has also led a variety of engagements among the firm’s 16 specialist practice groups. He is a C-suite executive having 25+ years of corporate Human Resources experience. Bill has held the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) role with three companies that ranged from 3,000 to 20,000 employees. Bill’s earlier background includes The Walt Disney Company and Fluor Corporation. His corporate and executive search career has been focused on building teams with top talent. Bill’s industry experience includes Engineering & Construction, Media & Entertainment, Healthcare, Technology / Software, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Manufacturing.

Bill is also an adjunct Professor with the University of Redlands. He volunteers his time as a leader of the Career Counseling Ministry at Saddleback Church. Bill is a Board member of the Orange County Compensation and Benefits Association (OCCABA). He also serves as a mentor for the MBA program at the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and as a mentor with the School of Business at the University of Redlands.

LinkedIn: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/billbrewerccp/

Bio: https://www.stantonchase.com/consultant/william-brewer/