We are anti-racist, not non-racist. Being non-racist requires us to do very little, other than simply to believe that racism is wrong. If we do nothing, then any racism we witness in ourselves or others is validated by our inaction and we’d become part of the problem. So we are anti-racist.
We have arrived at the point where being an anti-racist business is the only place we want to be; other options are indefensible. That doesn’t mean we are the finished article (we’re far from it), just as we might not always deliver the best results, though we see ourselves as high performers measured by our attitude and behaviour. Our anti-racist stand is therefore an undertaking, a never-ending commitment to live a certain way. It’s a belief in taking action, not a certificate of attendance.
Being anti-racist is simple, though we know it won’t be easy. It’s simple because it means that wherever and whenever we experience or witness racism, we will address and confront it appropriately. In other words, we will not idly stand by while thinking “this is wrong”.
It’s not easy because it means having important conversations that are likely to be awkward, difficult and uncomfortable and that’s OK because as human performance experts, we know that growth often requires discomfort. We also know that any discomfort we might feel is nothing compared to the pain and stunted growth caused by racism.
Racism takes many forms and we will stand against them all, though we have also taken the decision to focus our initial efforts towards opposing racism that is directed at, supports or condones:
Educating ourselves, because knowledge is the best weapon with which to fight racism
Examining our programmes and content and changing them where necessary
Examining our recruitment policies and changing our approach where necessary
Examining and where necessary, changing the language that we use
Only partnering with organisations who support our stand on anti-racism
Sharing our anti-racist stand with customers and prospects, explicitly and up front
Making it clear that we will not let racism occur without it being called out and challenged
Reporting on and sharing our experience and progress on all the above
