Tisch Diversity and Inclusion

This internal audio check list might be of use for looking at our own internal processes.

"Diverse leadership teams bring tremendous value across organizations and industries. However, there is much work to be done when it comes to education organizations' abilities to attract, develop, and retain leaders of color."

"In the wake of recent events in Ferguson and New York City, there has been a call for a new way of building relationships with the police. Leaders want to provide ways for people to have a voice, work across divides and establish equitable policing that is accountable to the community."

"The first thing to acknowledge about diversity is that it can be difficult. In the U.S., where the dialogue of inclusion is relatively advanced, even the mention of the word "diversity" can lead to anxiety and conflict. Supreme Court justices disagree on the virtues of diversity and the means for achieving it. Corporations spend billions of dollars to attract and manage diversity both internally and externally, yet they still face discrimination lawsuits, and the leadership ranks of the business world remain predominantly white and male."

"The whole point of being white is that you are never supposed to feel uncomfortable in space. To the moon and back, the world is yours. This past year, "pure" white space has been procured and subsequently sanctified through the precious spilled blood of black bodies - Trayvon Martin, who got no justice; Jonathan Ferrell, who asked for help in the wrong neighborhood; Renisha McBride, who did the same."

"So, what exactly is "calling in"? I've spent over a year of trying to figure this out for myself, and this practice is still coming to me daily. The first part of calling each other in is allowing mistakes to happen. Mistakes in communities seeking justice and freedom may not hurt any less but they also have possibility for transforming the ways we build with each other for a new, better world. We have got to believe that we can transform. "

"I have seen excellent pieces by women of color, many suggesting steps white women can take to be better allies. Their insights are leading us toward a more conscious feminism. White women, however, need to take responsibility for educating ourselves, too. So, here are five steps white feminists -- myself included -- can take to check ourselves, connect more genuinely with women of color and improve feminist outcomes for people of all races. As a test of the need for these actions, consider whether you'd want the men in your life to try each step in confronting their own sexism."

"In many ways, white anti-racists often fall into the trap of viewing change through activist work rather than as organizers, as teachers, and as members of communities of "ceaseless agitation" and change.  For myself, I focus on words like those articulated @prisonculture, "JUST DO THE WORK. Don't talk about, "reflect" on it, pontificate, Just ACT. That's it." And while doing the work, be accountable."