Before you call the cops …
Posted by Lee-Anne Ragan | Filed under Communication, Conflict resolution, Diversity & culture
I know what I know & I don’t know what I don’t know.
For example, I know what it’s like to be a white woman. I don’t know what it’s like to be a black man.
But this amazingly poignant, utterly captivating video will give you some powerful insights (if being a black man isn’t your reality).
Do yourself a favour & watch Before You Call The Cops.
It’s by Tyler Merritt, a stand up comedian from Nashville, Tennessee who …
- hates spiders and bananas
- is a vegetarian
- can recite every word from the musical “Oklahoma!”
- has never been to jail
- has never owned a gun &
- hates “that anyone at all might possibly be afraid of me.”
In today’s climate …
Where spewing venom against people we don’t know is common
Where we quickly dehumanize, distance & discredit
And we don’t feel recognize the poisonous effects that same venom has on our very own souls
Tyler’s video is a wake up call
Both a balm & blast to our consciousness
Instead of backing away from difference
Let’s lean in
Close.
Annnnnnnd take action
- Give Tyler Merritt some love & check out his Youtube channel.
- Check out my cultural elements worksheet & map your own culture. It can help you identify some equity issues that may be hiding.
- Grab a coffee & a colleague & talk about how equity is or isn’t addressed in your organization (feel free to borrow some tips from last week’s blog post).
- Didn’t get a chance to join us for Fiona Jarvis, Canadian High Commission, recent roundtable session on Making Decisions in High Stake Situations? Don’t get your knickers in a knot – you can access the video here.
Tags: communication, Conflict resolution, racism, tyler merritt
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