Few would argue that among the most difficult and hardest to change dynamics of cultural diversity in organizations are those corresponding to racial group differences. While there is a long history of race relations research in the social sciences, little of it has addressed the dynamics of race relations in organizations. The result is that much of what guides efforts to study and intervene in race relations fails to accommodate the complex and changing realities of organizational life. One example of this is that most theories of race relations fail to consider the fact that people have multiple group identies. This is particularly important when examining work organizations. No one joins an organization aspiring to be an Hispanic, Asian, or White. Yet racial group membership is often an important aspect of who people feel they are, the experiences that shape their personal perspectives, and how others view them. We believe, that the primary arena in the future for changing and improving race relations will be the workplace since continued patterns of residential and social segregation make work the primary place for cross-racial interactions.
Few would argue that among the most difficult and hardest to change dynamics of cultural diversity in organizations are those corresponding to racial group differences. While there is a long history of race relations research in the social sciences, little of it has addressed the dynamics of race relations in organizations. The result is that much of what guides efforts to study and intervene in race relations fails to accommodate the complex and changing realities of organizational life. One example of this is that most theories of race relations fail to consider the fact that people have multiple group identies. This is particularly important when examining work organizations. No one joins an organization aspiring to be an Hispanic, Asian, or White. Yet racial group membership is often an important aspect of who people feel they are, the experiences that shape their personal perspectives, and how others view them. We believe, that the primary arena in the future for changing and improving race relations will be the workplace since continued patterns of residential and social segregation make work the primary place for cross-racial interactions.
Addressing Cultural Issues in Organizations provides conceptual models and practical approaches to organizational interventions which take account of cultural difference.
Now more than ever, race has become a morphing relational dynamic that has less to do with the demographic census box we check and more with how we make sense of our lives—who we are and who we can become in relationship with others. Using anecdotes from her practice as a licensed psychologist and as an African American growing up in the South, Walker provides a way for educators and social service professionals to enter into cross-racial discussions about race and race relations. She identifies three essential relational skills for personal transformation and cultural healing that are the foundations for repairing the damage wrought by racism. While Walker does not sugarcoat the destructive history of racism that we all inherit in the United States, the book’s vision is ultimately affirming, empowering, hopeful, and inclusive about the individual and collective power to heal our divisions and disconnections. “As a skilled therapist with a wealth of examples, Maureen Walker helps us to see how power acts in complex ways in our racialized lives. Her book, like the foundational relational-cultural theory that she helped to create, will resonate with readers. Open it anywhere and you will find stories that can inspire us to end, or at least interrupt, customary silences on race.” —Peggy McIntosh, Wellesley Centers for Women “Walker takes what is a very complex and emotionally charged subject and makes it accessible through her stories of working with White and Black professionals in both clinical and organizational settings.” —Linda A. Hill, Harvard Business School
This book is not written specifically for White readers, Black readers, readers who are Latino, Asian, or other specific racial or ethnic groups. If you are a business leader, individual contributor, Human Resources or DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) professional, educator, coach, or consultant, then The Business of Race is for you. In the business world, incident-driven, company position statements on Black Lives Matter or Stop Asian Hate are not proxies for the heavy lifting that will penetrate and sustain a shift in the status quo. Advancing racial equity to disrupt institutional racism requires more than a company-wide memo or a tab on a corporate website. Businesses often water down, negate or skirt this reality by touting successes from its cousin—diversity. However, you cannot advance a strategy you do not name. The general term “diversity” enables that dynamic. It’s impossible to create an antiracist workplace when we avoid speaking the words ``race” and “racism.” Co-authored by two business women, one Black and one White, The Business of Race can help us all prepare for this transformative work. Rather than diving headfirst with well-meaning but ineffectual efforts, we must first ready our organizations. The authors outline both the inner work (raising our own individual awareness and creating new ways of thinking and being), and the outer work organizations must undertake. This includes honest and often uncomfortable discussions. And carrying out as core to operational business strategy and performance, policies and practices to reimagine a racially equitable workplace. Whether you’re a rising entrepreneur, a supervisor or manager, a leader of a large multinational company, or a frontline employee, you’ll find concrete actions in this essential guide: Why Racial Diversity, Why Now – A Competitive Advantage Commitment, Specificity, and the Science of Small Wins Uncomfortable Truths and Fearless Leaders Look for Talent Where Others Are Not No Secrets in Pay and Promotions – Close the Wage Gap Discover Your “E” and Measure its Impact Woven throughout The Business of Race are interviews with dozens of business professionals across myriad industries, fields and organizational levels. Their stories bring voice to the challenges and opportunities businesses face every day, and provide readers with the courage and tools to openly, honestly, and effectively address the deeply complex, emotional and intimidating dynamic of race and racism in the workplace.
A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • An essential tool for individuals, organizations, and communities of all sizes to jump-start dialogue on racism and bias and to transform well-intentioned statements on diversity into concrete actions—from a leading Harvard social psychologist. FINALIST FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD • LONGLISTED FOR THE PORCHLIGHT BUSINESS BOOK AWARD “Livingston has made the important and challenging task of addressing systemic racism within an organization approachable and achievable.”—Alex Timm, co-founder and CEO, Root Insurance Company How can I become part of the solution? In the wake of the social unrest of 2020 and growing calls for racial justice, many business leaders and ordinary citizens are asking that very question. This book provides a compass for all those seeking to begin the work of anti-racism. In The Conversation, Robert Livingston addresses three simple but profound questions: What is racism? Why should everyone be more concerned about it? What can we do to eradicate it? For some, the existence of systemic racism against Black people is hard to accept because it violates the notion that the world is fair and just. But the rigid racial hierarchy created by slavery did not collapse after it was abolished, nor did it end with the civil rights era. Whether it’s the composition of a company’s leadership team or the composition of one’s neighborhood, these racial divides and disparities continue to show up in every facet of society. For Livingston, the difference between a solvable problem and a solved problem is knowledge, investment, and determination. And the goal of making organizations more diverse, equitable, and inclusive is within our capability. Livingston’s lifework is showing people how to turn difficult conversations about race into productive instances of real change. For decades he has translated science into practice for numerous organizations, including Airbnb, Deloitte, Microsoft, Under Armour, L’Oreal, and JPMorgan Chase. In The Conversation, Livingston distills this knowledge and experience into an eye-opening immersion in the science of racism and bias. Drawing on examples from pop culture and his own life experience, Livingston, with clarity and wit, explores the root causes of racism, the factors that explain why some people care about it and others do not, and the most promising paths toward profound and sustainable progress, all while inviting readers to challenge their assumptions. Social change requires social exchange. Founded on principles of psychology, sociology, management, and behavioral economics, The Conversation is a road map for uprooting entrenched biases and sharing candid, fact-based perspectives on race that will lead to increased awareness, empathy, and action.
This workbook responds to one of the defining issues of our time, namely how to counter racial division and effect positive change in inter-racial relations. It provides a tool for personal learning as well as for team and organizational development on the subject of racial dynamics. It is designed to assist individuals, groups and organizations to take action in the interest of creating and nurturing positive race relations. Based on the insights and experiences of twelve contributors, the book offers a clearly defined 12 step process for learning and action. It responds directly to the call coming from many quarters in recent months for a plan of action to change how race impacts life in the United States and other countries with racially diverse populations. Although targeted specifically to address racial conflict and division, the principles in the book have application to other forms of societal tensions such as exist in the political, economic and law enforcement arenas.
After I had finished my presentation, a colleague and I sat rocking on the hotel porch to discuss its merits. It was a picture-perfect fall day in Jekyll Island Georgia, and he was a friend. Yes, he explained, what I was saying seemed to be true. And yes it probably needed to be said, but why did I want to be the one to say it? Wasn't I, after all, a tenured professor who didn't need to make a fuss in order to retain his job? Didn't it make sense to just kick back and enjoy the easy life I had earned? The topic of our tete-a-tete was my speculations about race relations and he was certain that too much honesty could only get me in trouble. Given my lack of political correct ness, people were sure to assume that I was a racist and not give me a fair hearing. This was a prospect I had previously contemplated. Long before embarking on this volume I had often asked myself why I wanted to write it. The ideological fervor that dominates our public dialogue on race guaran teed that some people would perceive me as a dangerous scoundrel who had to be put in his place.
'Every voice raised against racism chips away at its power. We can't afford to stay silent. This book is an attempt to speak' The book that sparked a national conversation. Exploring everything from eradicated black history to the inextricable link between class and race, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race is the essential handbook for anyone who wants to understand race relations in Britain today. THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS NON-FICTION NARRATIVE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018 FOYLES NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR BLACKWELL'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR WINNER OF THE JHALAK PRIZE LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR A BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARD
