Facing up to race, power and privilege
Spotted on the New Economy Organisers Network email list:
For some of us, 2018 marked a turning point. We could no longer ignore the effects of race, power and privilege in the workplace. Fifty years after the Race Relations Act, systemic racism is alive and well. We’re still trying to eliminate workplace racial inequality by rooting out individual prejudice—through “unconscious bias” training or “diversity and inclusion” programmes—while ignoring the power structures which sustain racism. At the same time, racism seems to be flaring up everywhere, from Brexit to fake news to the refugee crisis. And connected oppressions—directed at gender, sexuality, class and more—are more visible, as the #MeToo movement spreads from Hollywood to our parliaments and boardrooms.
But however much we might oppose these systems of oppression, those of us who’ve been given the privilege of ignoring them are also complicit in keeping them going. That’s why it’s so hard for us to talk about racism without getting defensive, a phenomenon that author Robin DiAngelo calls “white fragility”.
If you agree that it’s time to face up to race, power and privilege, we invite you to join us in West Wales this March at the #dareconf leadership retreat.
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There’s a tiered cost structure to make the retreat affordable to as many people as possible. Bookings close on Monday 4 February, so if you’d like to attend, don’t delay.