Navigating resistance in DEI work

Question

Anyone have suggestions for how to move forward when a person is rejecting the very language of DEI work (structural racism, white supremacy, privilege, even allies!) because  they feel it's not inclusive of themselves as a white person? These technical terms and how they're 'not inclusive' have been a repeated focus of conversation, rather than the actual work, and it's exhausting me!

Logan · Answer

Hi! I'm not sure of the context for your question (e.g. are you a consultant doing work in an organization, leading DEI work for a company, etc.) but the first thing that came to mind when I read your post is Dr. Robin DiAngelo's book, White Fragility. Dr. DiAngelo does an amazing job of tackling the topic of racism and the near-immediate white fragility issues/conversations that come up when doing DEI work.

Might there be a way to share this book with whomever you are interacting, as a place to start a different (read: productive!)  conversation about structural racism, privilege, white supremacy, etc.?

Navigating resistance in DEI work

You're invited.

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