On “What white people must know…”

I often think about a conversation I had with Kendra Thomas in 2014. We were talking about Pearson’s Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) efforts, and she encouraged me to think about participating in the company’s Global D&I Advocacy group. I recall hesitating – feeling like I wasn’t qualified to be a champion for diversity, feeling like I wasn’t informed enough to be an advocate, feeling guilty about my whiteness. I am grateful for the years I spent with Kendra, Chuin Phang and countless other Global D&I advocates – having real, genuine conversations grounded in respect, curiosity, openness and willingness to listen and learn.

These past few weeks I find myself feeling guilty, disconnected and out-of-touch. I’ve been reading and listening, trying to figure out how to effectively use my privilege to support the movement towards racial equity and social justice. I’ve also been continuing to struggle – albeit a struggle of privilege – working to reconcile my lived experiences and beliefs with the conflicting realities of the world I’ve come to know.

I recently listened to Janaya Future Khan – a storyteller, writer and international ambassador for #blacklivesmatter. Janaya posted an Instagram video “What white people must know…” – and addressed many of the things I, and I imagine so many, are thinking about -- especially as protests, demonstrations and vigils continue to take place throughout America and around the world.

“Privilege is not about what you’ve gone through, but what you haven’t had to go through.”

I believe that humans (for the most part) strive to be the very best version of themselves. It’s why we learn, love, practice, work and repeat. The notion of not knowing something, especially something that’s important, should spark curiosity – a desire to learn and better understand. We have all experienced a unique type of hardship and pain, and those experiences are real and true. But there's always more that we don't know. Always more we can learn. When we flip the frame of privilege, so as not to belittle our lived experiences but to spark curiosity – we give ourselves permission to learn, to open our mind to new realities and perspectives, and to grow.

I encourage you to listen to Janaya Future Khan’s powerful words and I welcome you to share other thoughts and resources that you find impactful and informative in the comment section below.

Thank you to Julia Firestone for curating and sharing such informational, impactful resources. And thank you to my friends and colleagues - I appreciate the honest, insightful conversations we've had.

H/T https://janayakhan.com/