Author: Byron Darden

Defining Systemic Racism

Posted on by Byron Darden

I recently held a Masterclass on the topic, encouraging educators of a public school system to attend. We started by talking about the systemic nature of racism. It will help to explain the context of systemic racism. We hear it in the news and in conversations quite a bit. We hear the demand that systemic racism needs to end, yet what does that mean? NAACP President Derrick Johnson defines it as “systems and structures that have procedures or processes that disadvantage African Americans.” The president of Race Forward defines it as “the complex interaction of culture, policy, and institutions that holds in place the outcomes we see in our lives.” Read more.

While it is not a new concept, it has been brought to light in the past fifty years. Our country was built on certain principles that haven’t been fair to certain members of society. Remember that while our country was founded in 1776, slavery wasn’t abolished until 1865, women didn’t achieve the right to vote until 1920, and the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum in the 1960s. While putting these rights into the Constitution was a start, agreement with these actions was not unanimous.

The United States is a country composed of individual ideas and long traditions. Our beliefs and values are ingrained over generations, and they are difficult to change overnight. We struggle to be compassionate and understanding human beings. We may not realize our actions affect others. This is where awareness and education begin. Communication strategies and leadership tips spark dialog and ease the feelings of not being heard.

Systemic Racism vs. Oppression

Posted on by Byron Darden

To gain a deeper understanding of the systemic nature of racism, I’ve found that differentiating racism and oppression is an important distinction. We likely know what overt racism is. We cringe when we read history books that didn’t allow people of color to use the same drinking fountain or come to the public library. We agree that it’s discriminatory to decline someone’s employment because of their skin color. When we misspeak or mistreat someone, we might be ignorant of cultures and discover it necessary to correct our actions when it is pointed out to us. Yes, there are exceptions to these established norms, and I believe in the goodness of human nature. Yet, sometimes we need reminders.

Oppression, by contrast, means to be pressed down. It is a particular person or group being put in an unjust or cruel situation by a person of authority. It is a practice rooted in tradition that we can strive to end. When it is intentional, there are legal means of ending the behavior. When oppression is unintentional, each person can respond in ways that educate without judgment. This is where power comes back to the individual or group, and this is where we start. Simple and powerful tools are at your fingertips. Click the button below and schedule a time to connect with me to determine how we can put those tools in your executive toolkit.

Strategy Session

The Power of Action

Posted on by Byron Darden

A discussion of systemic racism and oppression is vital for our society to advance. When one person or even a whole group of people feels disadvantaged, power struggles start to ensue.

A meeting takes place, and the group leader looks for new ideas. Ideally, all ideas are heard and debated, and participants listen and respond without bias.

When group members have unconscious biases, other members might feel shy in responding or think to themselves – “my ideas are never received, so I’m just going to nod and keep quiet.” Soon, this person feels a lack of belonging and purpose, and their work suffers. This feeling might perpetuate in home life or their encounters with other members. Soon, one seemingly small action in the meeting room has taken on the butterfly effect.

Every action we take has an effect. This is why this discussion is of the utmost importance.

Can You Relate?

Posted on by Byron Darden

In a workshop recently, a participant bravely spoke up and shared her story. Over the years in her job, she has experienced difficulties adapting to the culture of her workplace. Not wanting to “rock the boat,” she kept quiet. She needed her job and enjoyed the work for the most part. That said, she wasn’t thriving.

As a result, she started to show up ready for a fight. By her own omission, she would show up at work with walls built up, ready to defend herself against any perceived oppression. She was afraid to speak up and tell her truth, and her emotions couldn’t be contained.

Keep in mind that one of the leading causes of illness is stress! Bottling up those feelings takes its toll on your physical body, emotions, and spirit; it can also severely affect your health. It took some soul-searching and courage to speak up finally. 

The advice I would give this participant is to open themselves up to the possibilities of change within themselves. Show up with authenticity and pay attention to what has heart and meaning. Do the work and tell their truth without blame and judgment. Be open to the outcome without the attachment we tend to have out of the desire to avoid change. When confronted with a situation, remind yourself that it is not a competition with others; it is a chance for us to show the world our best self. Once we get out of our own way, there is a silver lining in virtually every situation in which we find ourselves once we stop and observe.

Take the First Step

Posted on by Byron Darden

Finding yourself in an oppressive situation is uncomfortable. You can take steps to reclaim your power and speak your truth. Here are a couple of tools:

RACE Tool

  • Respond to others as you would in your own reality. Respect their beliefs and accept them as they are.
  • Ask how you can be of service. Give the situation and the other person your full attention and be present.
  • Care about what you say and how you say it. Think about how your words impact others.
  • Empathize with others by acknowledging their words authentically. Make it your mission to inspire positive action in others.

Tips for Leaders

Finding your truth means recognizing and speaking up when your gut tells you things are unfair. Oppression is fought one small action at a time. Do not shrink because it makes others feel comfortable.

Speak up when someone attacks your dignity; bring awareness to the situation that their actions are not acceptable. Remaining quiet when a person limits your access to fair treatment or equal opportunity sends the message that you are okay with their behavior. When you experience a sexist remark, an antisemitic indiscretion, or a sexual advance, file a formal complaint. If a person routinely interrupts during a meeting, address the behavior immediately.

When employing either of these tools, take a moment to ensure that you see the complete picture and use the opportunity to create education and understanding.

Speak Your Truth

Posted on by Byron Darden

It takes courage to stand up and speak your truth when faced with oppression. A study by the Harvard Business Review states that only 1.4% of employees blow the whistle on wrongdoings. Read more.

There is a chance of repercussions, harassment, loss of your job, and worse.

When facing oppression, build your network and find your allies. Use your network to expand your horizons, as well as find groups to work together to enact change.

As a leader, you have opportunities for change:

  • Retool the way your organization handles complaints. Reporting tools need to protect the victim and allow group reporting.
  • Make employees feel comfortable by building a culture of safety that focuses on tolerance, tone, and a lack of judgment.
  • Let employees know that behaviors will not be tolerated and action will be fair and just.
  • Follow up with actions to support your claim.

Above all, stand up to a situation that makes you question your self-worth. Take steps to rectify a destructive situation or explore alternative options. Use your network for support or new opportunities.

Begin Now

Posted on by Byron Darden

Systemic racism and oppression are not easy issues to tackle. They are often hot issues that cause strong reactions. These are issues that have been around for a long time, and it will take time and perseverance to change the narrative.

While it feels good to lash out at others when we feel oppressed, first take a look at your actions and reactions and see where you can move the needle in a positive direction. The power is within you.

“To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.”
– Rosa Parks

I personally invite you to join my network of strong women focused on goals of equity and inclusion. We work to end oppression in the workplace and give you the tools needed to use your voice. Head on over to www.byrondarden.com and find out your leadership style. Click the button below to schedule a time with me to discuss how I might best support you. We can discuss your unique situation and empower you to use your voice literally and figuratively.

Strategy Session

Founder’s Corner

Posted on by Byron Darden

Anniversaries, birthdays, and new beginnings are favorite moments of mine. My zeal for them has prompted me to depart slightly from our corporate culture series to acknowledge a few.

A year ago I began delving into what is now the anniversary of the ISO 30415:2021 Standard for Diversity and Inclusion released last year. This new global development also marks my own involvement in learning how I can apply this global standard to the companies and people with whom I work.

This month marks a new beginning as we roll out the EQUITY FORM MASTERCLASS. In the coming months, you will learn more about this program that answers the question, how do we tackle systemic racism in organizational structure? For the past four months, I have focused my attention on developing the concept and attending to the most interested audience with whom to launch it.

Lastly, I end the month of April celebrating the dual 95th birthdays of two of the most significant women in my life. One of my six living aunts and one of my family’s dearest friends. Woohoo! These two women hold an important place in my life both personally and professionally.

Their influence is instrumental in how I think, what I talk about and what is important for me to do in serving women in leadership. These women represent the corporate and educational worlds in which I spend much of my professional time. So this month, intersectionality seemed a necessary focus as it applies to better acknowledging and grounding the difference among us all and why those differences matter.

Wishing you a happy May!

Understanding Intersectionality

Posted on by Byron Darden

A person’s background and experience define how they interact with society. Many tend to gravitate toward those with the same core values. Many are influenced by those who surround them. When convictions are weak, outside sources infiltrate thinking. Often, this is an opportunity for growth and understanding. Other times, it can create tension depending on the intentions of the person or group spreading information. It can be increasingly challenging to know and follow the truth. It is up to each of us to promote understanding and empathy to many points of view.

Origins of Intersectionality

Posted on by Byron Darden

In 1989, Kimberle Williams Crenshaw, a professor at Columbia and UCLA and a leading scholar of Critical Race Theory, coined the term Intersectionality to acknowledge an individual’s unique experiences with discrimination and oppression. Intersectionality can apply to a multitude of factors. The apparent forms are gender, sexuality, race, and class. We should also include weight, physical appearance, disabilities (visible and invisible), and religion. What used to be differences based on one factor has evolved into differences based on many.

We often look at someone and define them by our preconceptions. When a person attends a high-end university, we might assume that they are privileged. We jump to conclusions regardless of the truth. Many of us are quick to judge, and Intersectionality reminds us that we should take a step back. Everything we say or do has an effect. We must take care the best we can to avoid marginalizing people, whether it is intentional or not.