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.