How the Meghan Markle Interview can help us Understand White Privilege at Work
Unpacking the Meghan Markle Interview
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I've been reflecting on the Meghan Markle + Oprah interview over the weekend. Listening to Meghan share her experiences as a woman of color, a Black, mixed-race woman in the palace, which was both her home and her place of work, I was reminded of the experiences that so many Black women and women of color face in similar work environments. Gaslighting, continually being treated as an outsider, being asked to tone down, believing that a system that ultimately fails you, it was all too real.
Meghan is a descendant of slaves. When you allow that to sink in, you begin to understand how powerful her representation as a royal was. The monarch lost out on a bright light because it chose to value white privilege over diversity, just as countless organizations have lost out on leveraging women of color's potential through the years.
How White Privilege Manifests at Work: White privilege or white "supremacy" believes whiteness is the standard by which all other races must follow. White privilege also holds the dual belief that other races are inferior. It is incredibly prevalent and if you're reading this thinking your work environment is immune, think again. We see it everywhere. It often starts with asking the BIPOC community to speak in a "professional" tone to be taken seriously (essentially erasing our ethnic vernacular). As we continue to grow in our careers, we begin to see more examples, like pay disparities between white and BIPOC communities. White privilege is everywhere. The first step to dismantling it is acknowledging it exists.
White Privilege contributes to the BIPOC Community Feeling "Othered": No one likes to be the outsider at work. Speaking from experience, many of us in the BIPOC community question our white counterparts' behaviors either in our head or out loud. We find ourselves asking phrases like "Was that racist? Or, was that person just being mean?" Communities of color do not have the privilege of separating our race from our identity. When our white counterparts fail to acknowledge and honor the differences we bring, that can send us into isolation, further underscoring otherness and insecurity.
Ways you can begin to dismantle White Privilege: Corporate systems have been around for hundreds of years. It will take years to dismantle the system of white privilege in corporate settings. That is why it is imperative for you to do your part now. The longer you take to do the work, the longer it will take to dismantle the system.
Acknowledge that White Privilege is prevalent and real.
Deeply understand that whiteness is not the standard, and do your best to incorporate diverse viewpoints, cultures, communities in your way of thinking.
If your network is homogeneous, seek out books, articles, and podcasts that begin to diversify your way of thinking.
At work, if you find yourself in conversation with a person of color and something they do or say is triggering for you, pause and ask a question before you react. Triggered responses often lead to reinforcing white supremacy.
Also, know that as you continue to do your work to dismantle racist systems, many will question your actions, you will grow tired, but it is up to you to do the work.
I say this often, but you must be okay with being uncomfortable. It is the only path forward.
Meghan's interview was heartbreaking, but we can create steps towards systemic change if we use it as a lesson.
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Thank you,
Tori
CEO + Founder Inclusion Unpacked