Is white "overcorrection" plain insulting or even worse than cluelessness?

Anonymous

June 17,2020 at 3:09PM UTC

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I've noticed many companies are rushing to add Black-owned businesses and vendors to their rosters and introducing "listening sessions" for their staffs.

Are these better-late-than-never admissions considered "progress" in the corporate world, or is it another awkward attempt of white people overcorrecting and making business and personal situations even more awkward for everyone?

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Rachel MinnickJune 17,2020 at 4:36PM UTC
It is better to get on the equity train late than never get on it at all. And it will be awkward in many cases, but if we keep working at it, and make sure the shift stays focused on white people doing the work of change, it will get less awkward. It's a shift and many people are not sure what to do, they just know they have to do something, so the first attempts are not perfect. Nothing will ever be perfect, but it will get better the more we dig in to understand the wounds, where they are, and how to make things right.
AnonymousJune 17,2020 at 8:46PM UTC
All great points, Rachel, and yes, the awkwardness holds everyone back. There's so much to "do the work of change" as you wisely say, and once we understand, we can work to make things right. Thank you for your honesty and your POV.
Melissa GourgueJune 17,2020 at 5:32PM UTC
At this point it's really hard to say. I don't think it's ever too late to get involved in these conversations. The ugly truth is that these conversations are not "top of mind" for most companies, nevertheless the people running them. The success will be in what the company chooses to do with this information. A company can have great "listening sessions", but if there is no follow up to either correct biases or make sustainable changes to promote diversity and inclusion, it's a waste. It's how the company changes course to move forward - and that's the part we just have to wait and see which companies will continue these initiatives and which are just trying to save face. These conversations are incredibly hard and uncomfortable, but they get easier with time as long as people keep an open heart and mind.
AnonymousJune 17,2020 at 8:44PM UTC
I absolutely agree with you about the listening sessions can be confused with lip service. Will there be a change in the C-suite? Diligent behavior? Consistent company protocol? I truly hope the intentions are genuine, but as you wisely said, we have to wait and see. Thank you for your post!
Andrea MorencyJune 18,2020 at 1:55AM UTC
I would go as far to claim its more than just an "overcorrection" from white people, its a matter of utter disregard for people of color because white privilege grants a sort of immunity from racial embarrassment and discrimination. Companies are just now starting to realize the full humanity of African Americans as if we've been invisible the whole time. Like Johnson and Johnson coming out with different shaded bandages to "stand in solidarity" with Black Lives Matter, yeah while that can be true why has it taken so long to show support for black existence. 400 plus years of systemic oppression along with institutionalized racism is not mere cluelessness it is negligence, ignorance, and carelessness. And yes, for some it is blatantly insulting because solidarity doesn't mean recognizing our existence by turning BLM into marketing stunts or for political performance.
AnonymousJune 18,2020 at 2:56AM UTC
Excellent points! It seems there are three potential reactions these days: do nothing and everything stays the same (or gets worse);,do something that has temporarily good intentions and fades; do too much and feel even more awkward than before.
Crystal RhinebergerJune 18,2020 at 3:35PM UTC
I always feel weird in these instances because honestly people are individuals to me...
LisaJune 20,2020 at 3:58PM UTC
First of all, happy to find a discussion on race where there have been no anonymous posts so far! I hope to see the trend continue. Secondly, I agree with some of the earlier comments that it is better late than never, but follow-through is also very important. I would prefer to see an awkward attempt to do the right thing than no attempt at all or, worse, an argument that racial issues simply do not exist.
My company has been holding these discussion sessions for several weeks now, and they remain extremely popular. My company is also backing it up with donations to various organizations, bias training for staff, and a plan to hire more diversity in leadership. As a Black woman, I am proud of my company and of my colleagues - of all races - for being willing to feel awkward and still engage.
AnonymousJune 24,2020 at 2:27PM UTC
Thank you so much for posting, Lisa. I really appreciate your POV on seeing an awkward attempt to do the right thing than no attempt at all.