No, this email doesn’t find me “well”.
I know I probably shouldn’t be, but every time I get a text message that says “I hope you’re well!” I instantly roll my eyes. Perhaps it’s because I feel like we are living in the Twilight Zone… and we kind of are. I want to say hey, pardon me, did you not just see another act of domestic terrorism performed by white supremacists? Are we still policing the lives of Black folks? Did this guy just release a 1776 report? Hello?!
It reminds me of all of the companies that have been super quiet after posting the trendy black squares in June. Newsflash to all. Silence is compliance. You sure were quiet about the events at the US Capitol but now you want to post a pacifying quote from MLK? Please miss me. Please stop it. And as Crystle Johnson shared yesterday, ”we need receipts”!
As we head back into the work week today while holding our breath for what could and might happen on Inauguration Day, let's take a principle from the old school version of the Real World. Let's stop being polite and start getting real.
Your Black colleagues are probably not okay.
The MLK quotes you posted are full of words but no action to back them up.
Instead of thinking of a cultural token to give for Black History Month, try giving people the coins they deserve.
Don’t force anyone on your team to have their camera on during Zoom. Their trauma and anxiety are not for your display.
You probably should pause on any frivolous meetings on Inauguration Day.
All is not well in the US now that Madame VP Kamala Harris is on the scene.
It's still winter + a pandemic, meaning many people, particularly Black employees are struggling with some layer of trauma.
When you're sending those emails this week, be cordial but be real because no, all is not well, and I'm tired of lying and saying it is. I am frustrated, angry, hurt, and doing the best I can, but no, all is not well.
Make sure to connect with me on LinkedIn! I try to repost great content I see regularly.
