While many company leaders may not see it, their Black employees are living in existential fear. The January 6 attack on the Capitol, the ongoing police shootings of Black people, the senseless pepper-spraying and handcuff of a Black Army officer (Caron Nazario) at a gas station, and even some of the reactions to the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin who murdered George Floyd, showed us that the voices of racism and white supremacy are louder than ever.
The Fear Black Employees Carry
The voices of racism and white supremacy are louder than ever, and Black employees — and customers, suppliers, and investors — are living with a primal, existential fear. It’s not hard to understand why: Those who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6 included middle-class, middle-aged accountants, doctors, lawyers, shop owners, and even CEOs, from blue states and red states. People have learned that racists are all around them — in their extended families, their neighborhoods, and even among their colleagues. CEOs and other leaders must recognize this problem and address it competently, because ignoring it is not only morally wrong, it’s also bad for business. The author recommends five actions: 1) Commit to listening; 2) Take meaningful action; 3) Reckon with the past, and change the future; 4) Dig deeply to understand your company’s discriminatory practices; and 5) Back up your ideals with real money.