Corporate America can feel very white and therefore an unsafe place for African American people to thrive. Let's change that!
Talking Points:
- There is a term in the African American culture called “double consciousness”. It means a black man has to learn how to interact in two totally different cultures. Meaning, how one acts in corporate America may not be what the friends from the neighborhood understand or accept.
- For an African American male, it can be hard to know where they fit in because they don’t feel like they can totally be themselves in any context.
- The best thing corporate America can do is to create space for open dialogue among co-workers where the environment lends itself to discovering who people really are rather than just making assumptions based on race.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Share a time you felt totally out of place or unwelcome. How did that experience impact you?
- Reflect on the meaning of “double consciousness”. Have you experienced this?
- How can you be more yourself no matter the situation or context?
- If you’re a leader in the workplace, what can you do to make any minority feel more comfortable? How can you work to foster a welcoming environment among your employees?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
