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Dismantling Racism Resource Book

Diversification or integration is not always the best thing for an organization. Take an all white
organization, for example. A diversity approach would combine prejudice reduction with some
organizational development, perhaps resulting in revisions of the personnel policies, job
descriptions, and hiring practices. Yet, very little else about the organization would have
changed. Even if the organization is successful in bringing people of color on board it would be a
shallow victory. Take a snapshot of the organization from year to year; you'll see a few people of
color in each photo, but the faces will be different each year. People of color might get hired but
they won’t stay very long because they are being asked to fit into the existing dominant culture.

A DR approach with such an organization won’t start with the premise or suggestion that the
organization must recruit people of color. Certain groundwork needs to be done before that is a
viable or advisable goal. The organization might begin with a “white privilege training” rather
than a diversity training. The goal is to create an organizational culture with a deep and shared
understanding of racism where white people are committed to holding themselves accountable,
and where naming racism and other oppression when it occurs is encouraged and not avoided.
Without these qualities in place, people of color may find a harsh reality beneath the welcoming
organizational veneer.

Taking Action
Working for social change, it is not enough to develop a diverse, culturally competent staff,
board, and membership. In the context of the horrid history and current institutional and societal
practice of racism and injustice, a friendly workplace is not enough. DR education and practices
are designed not only to understand racism in its complexities, but to work actively against it.

Skillful racial justice work also creates a basis for understanding systemic inequality and
oppression based on other identities such as classism, sexism, heterosexism, and ableism. This
approach is essential for building bridges between those who are marginalized. Nothing less is
required if we want a broad, strong, and cohesive movement for progressive social change.

Dismantling Racism Project 8 Western States Center