5 Things / taking responsibility

This week I learned that (in December) the Kansas City Star newspaper issued an editorial apologizing for decades of unfair and overlooked coverage of the Black community. Among other things, the paper failed to cover bombings of Black homes in the city and provided poor coverage of local legends Jackie Robinson and Charlie Parker.

The editorial reads
, in part: "through sins of both commission and omission — it disenfranchised, ignored and scorned generations of Black Kansas Citians. It reinforced Jim Crow laws and redlining. Decade after early decade it robbed an entire community of opportunity, dignity, justice and recognition."

This matters because racial justice includes taking ownership for past mistakes, even ones that are "not our fault." It also includes making commitments and righting wrongs, as the Star did, in part by hiring an editor to address race issues, and by covering stories of systemic racism, Black Lives Matter, and more. 


We can all take responsibility, as individuals, and as leaders or managers. It can start with a few simple words such as, "I'm sorry. You have every right to be upset."


Here are the good vibes I found this week: 

Finally, I hope you'll join Patti and I for our (free) January 19 fireside chat 5 DEI Predictions for 2021. 


Thanks for all you do to build a more inclusive world-

Image by: The Teacher and The Admin

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5 Things / inaugural edition

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5 Things / louder please