E19. White Dominant Culture in Every Seat: Navigating Complicity and Liberation
What is white dominant culture? And white supremacy culture? And white supremacy? Although not new, these buzzwords stir a range of emotions, misconceptions, manipulations, and also create a contemplative space for accountability and awareness. In this episode, host Whitney Knox Lee engages in a thought-provoking and honest conversation with Kerrien Suarez, the president and CEO of Equity in the Center, to answer these questions and more. They delve into the concept of white dominant culture in the workplace and discuss the challenges of moving from complicity to actively dismantling systemic racism. They explore the importance of language, the weaponization of characteristics outlined in the article on white supremacy culture by Tema Okun, and the need to center the experiences of Black and Indigenous individuals in the fight for racial equity.
Drawing on her own experience and the work of experts in the field (discussed in the April 2023 article How (Not) to Dismantle White Supremacy), Kerrien explains more about the weaponization of the characteristic of white supremacy culture, and particularly against Black organizational leaders. Both Whitney and Kerrien acknowledge times when they've fallen into this trap and discuss how this self-accountability can be a tool to drive the work forward. They discuss too the role that assimilation continues to play in professional spaces as people of color attempt to climb the ladder toward "success" and power. Listeners will gain valuable insights and tools for interrupting their own complicity, using their earned power, and working towards building a race equity culture.
Kerrien highlights useful resources created and/or curated by Equity in the Center, including the (free) Awake to Woke to Work publication, the (free) newsletter (which also has employment opportunities!), and other research of EiC.
Don't miss this enlightening and empowering season finale episode!
Read the report Awake to Woke to Work: Building a Race Equity Culture
Learn more about Kerrien and find all the resources at Equity in the Center's website.
While on their webpage you will definitely want to subscribe to the EiC newsletter, but you can also stay connected on instagram and linkedin.
Although this is the Season 1 finale, Whitney will be around. Follow her on instagram @ImpostrixPodcast and subscribe to the Validating Voice Newsletter for biweekly updates, resources, and information.
Interested in a free discovery call to see how W. Knox Lee Consulting & Mediation could help you achieve your goals? Email the team at info@wknoxlee.com.
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