How to Prepare for Black History Month (Part 2)
Here’s a reminder of our first instalment On Black History Month
As promised, this is our second instalment of advice and strategies for having a successful Black History Month for all colleagues — irrespective of their identity.
Beyond how to plan and execute your campaign, you might be wondering about how to navigate nuanced discussions and questions that may emerge. Here are some things to consider:
Emphasise that this is a moment for shared understanding — look for opportunities to gather questions from non-Black colleagues in advance, so that these can be answered by the appropriate leaders in the business or an external consultant
Educate yourself - Remember, this isn’t a time for your Black colleagues to take on the additional burden of educating other colleagues on race. This is out of their job scope and can become mentally draining.
Be aware of the diversity of experience — Beyond different intersections, but within the diaspora at large. Never assume, instead create space for Black people within your organisation to input and feedback on
Meet organisations and businesses outside of your own — Use creative solutions like your Volunteer Time Off to support Black businesses and communities; and learn from them.
Remember that this isn’t a space to absolve white guilt - Our Head of Consulting, Alyssa shares some insights:
“I understand why people, particularly people from white backgrounds (or half-white backgrounds like myself) feel guilt when encountering human tragedies, but this shouldn’t lay the foundation for how Black histories and experiences are engaged with for Black History Month.
I appreciate the discomfort many feel about unearned advantages they’re perceived to have over different racial groups, particularly Black folks, but I also know that BHM isn’t the time to centre it. Here, white guilt (or the shame or remorse felt with respect to racial inequality) concerns the self – a way to feel absolved of injustice and innocent rather than the minoritised other’s needs.
So here’s my suggestion, avoid anything that feels like performative allyship. Performative allyship is based on self-gratification and doesn’t look at your personal responsibility within a community — this is disingenuous. Remember that whatever you decide to do this BHM it can — but doesn’t have to — begin and end with a hashtag. Activism can be stepping up and shouting out but it can also be simple acts of support every day (such as ‘passing the mic’, supporting Black art and curriculums, recommending Black talent by giving personalised referrals to your contacts/network and more). All of this can be done quietly rather than publicly for kudos. But don’t quote me on that, Lil Wayne said it better “Real Gs move in silence like lasagne.””
Lastly, here’s a reminder of Part 1’s essentials for planning and executing your Black History Month campaigns and activations.
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