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WHITE SUPREMACY CULTURE IN PROFESSIONAL SPACES IS TOXIC
To dismantle it, we must first be willing to name it. (A Thread from an essay by Ashley Lugo)
To dismantle it, we must first be willing to name it. (A Thread from an essay by Ashley Lugo)
Characteristics such as perfectionism, quantity over quality, paternalism, and individualism uphold white supremacy culture in our work environments. This results in finger-pointing, defensiveness, gaslighting, and guilt-tripping.
When we (BIPOCs) feel discomfort at work, we r commonly deemed aggressive & ungrateful. White supremacy culture is so insidious that we r not aware of how we engage w/ and perpetuate it. It promotes a belief that emotions r destructive & irrational.
Employees that speak out r oftentimes silenced or gaslit all in the name of the employer’s right 2 comfort & right 2 power. It’s often difficult 2 call out symptoms of white supremacy culture, because it is so embedded in all of us.
Nonprofits uphold white supremacy culture through pushing a sense of urgency for the sake of progress. Urgency 2 raise more money, gain more major donors, apply 4 more grants.
A reason why we don’t see more BIPOC in leadership roles is because those making the hiring decisions would rather fill administrative positions fast, instead of doing so conscientiously.
This type of behavior can be seen throughout all sectors, not just nonprofit, highlighting the truth: It’s beyond exhausting 2 be BIPOC in this capitalist, white supremacist society.
The launch of CCF and its community-centered movement has been empowering 4 many. We need 2 build a community around these experiences. In order 2 do so, it’s important 2 name/recognize these experiences as characteristics of white supremacy culture.
Nonprofits are a symptom of our governmental structures & their push 2 cut funding 2 social services. And as we’ve seen this year, it’s quite clear that our current governmental structures don’t work for us.
We must continue to share resources & to hold space as a community, not just to keep us informed, but to keep us mentally & emotionally grounded. Community, as a social construct, has existed well before capitalism.
Perhaps it’s the community that will help us 2 reimagine our expectations within this sector & 2 continue to be critical of it. Read the rest of Ashley’s essay hear her story and learn how 2 fight toxic, white supremacy work culture. https://communitycentricfundraising.org/2020/09/08/white-supremacy-culture-in-professional-spaces-is-toxic-to-dismantle-it-we-must-first-be-willing-to-name-it/
