Continued Conversations into Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplaces has shifted to the forefront for many companies. in the wake of Black Lives Matter and the continued protests surrounding injustices, the conversation has been a catalyst in many of the areas where injustices and discrimination plays a major role. While this shift has been a positive step forward, some of these initiatives have fallen short of implementing meaningful change, particularly for Black employees.
An issue that arises is companies may focus on increasing diversity without addressing the underlying biases and systemic issues that prevent Black employees from advancing within the organization. It may be a start to shift recruitment to bring in more talented people of color but if the interview process falls short on seeing individuals make it through to the end, what has been accomplished? Management usually has a final say on who they want and often times its falls to who they know. Diversity sometimes isn’t reflected in management and executive level positions. The underlying biases may be hidden when it comes to those in these positions as they could be unaware of the recruitment pool that has made it to the interview with them. Other issues that prevent itself is companies may hire more Black employees at entry-level positions and then fail to provide them with resources needed to advance or often times overlook them as options for promotions or advancements.
The continued promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion often falls to employees of color to lead the charge of the conversation and carry the burden of microaggressions and discrimination in the workplace. unconscious bias training has been introduced but often falls to being a checkbox that needs to be checked as completed instead of addressing the underlying structural inequalities or the unique experiences and perspectives of Black employees. The conversation needs to be more than just conversations. More than just a training exercise and more than an initiative to promote DEI without applying the necessary changes. It goes beyond just hiring more diverse employees. There needs to be policies and practices that continue to be acted on, outside of meetings, trainings and discussions.
While it is important to recognize and celebrate different groups at different periods of time (Black history month, Women’s History month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride, Hispanic heritage month etc.), limiting the conversation to specific months or events can create a false sense of progress. Where does the conversation go once the month ends? Did the moments lead directly to implementing a change? Does it get carried on outside of each specific month of celebration? initiatives should be ongoing and integrated into the fabric of a company's culture and values and promote a culture of inclusion and allyship year-round that works within each group but also across each group. Where does the conversation go from here?
Derek Chauvin found guilty for the murder of George Floyd
Following three weeks of testimonies, a jury in Minneapolis, Minnesota found Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts in the murder of George Floyd. The former officer is now convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin’s bail would also be revoked, as we await his sentencing, which will be in a couple of months.
Now that a guilty verdict has been reached, the fight for justice is not over. There is still a lot of work to do. There is still a responsibility for this America to start making changes so this doesn’t happen again. This verdict can not be the end all, be all. This cannot be the resolution to years of police brutality and misconduct. This cannot be the justification of action and changes happening.
Chris Cuomo on Police Reform
To put it frank, Chris Cuomo says police reform won’t happen until white kids start getting killed. The CNN host made the comments while talking about the police killings of George Floyd, Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo.
“How many more [will] die from the pandemic; die from police shootings?” Cuomo said. “George Floyd. Daunte Wright. I wonder if you’ll remember their names six months from today because they’ll be replaced by so many others.”
Cuomo also criticized those who try to demonize victims of police violence by pointing out their criminal histories or past interactions with police.
These are the realities of America today that we need to face. While many took offense to Cuomo’s thoughts, the fact remains there is a pattern of black people getting killed and no one being held accountable. In every case there is also a media release of information to demonize a victim to make them being killed justifiable.
Cuomo went on to claim that if Black Americans began buying guns or forming armed militias to protect themselves from the government — a common argument made by pro-Second Amendment activists — gun reform laws in the U.S. would be passed quickly.