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:
Dollar General is paying its employees for 4 hours of work if they get the Covid-19 vaccine. This matters because it incentivizes people to get the vaccine and ensures their employees (many of whom are Black and brown and disproportionally affected by Covid) don't have to choose between getting paid and getting vaccinated.
Toyota and Lixil Corp have developed a mobile restroom for wheelchair users that can be pulled by a car. This mobile restroom will help wheelchair users be able to better enjoy outdoor events where accessible restrooms are not available. This matters because the product enhances access (and hopefully joy) for people with disabilities.
In British Columbia, anyone involved in court proceedings will now be required to specify their pronouns and an honorific / title for themselves. Titles may include Mr., Ms. Mx. (a gender-neutral title), Counsel and others. The goal is to ensure the Court properly addresses each individual without assuming gender based on name or appearance. This matters because gender is not based on appearance and this policy will reduce the risk of mis-gendering.
Sephora has announced policies to reduce racial bias in their stores. Changes include new employee training and greeting standards, a phasing out of private security guards from stores, and a zero-tolerance policy for profiling, discrimination, harassment. They've also committed to doubling the number of Black-owned brands available at the store. This matters because Black customers report unequal treatment and that's just not right.
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