Talking Mindfully About Whiteness | Neenah Estrella-Luna | TEDxSalemStateUniversity

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker critiques traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, emphasizing the importance of addressing systemic whiteness rather than merely generating sympathy for people of color. Drawing on personal experiences and research, the speaker argues that whiteness is a pervasive structure that perpetuates inequality. To foster true inclusion, the speaker advocates for racial affinity groups where white individuals can confront their privilege and emotional reactions, while also recognizing that people of color have their own work to do. The call to action is clear: addressing whiteness directly is essential for creating lasting change and a truly inclusive society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker discusses their personal experiences with racism, particularly in leadership and professional environments, highlighting the challenges of being a minority in predominantly white spaces.
• 😀 They share an instance of conflict with a board regarding layoffs, where the speaker raised concerns about racial disparities, which led to defensive reactions from white leadership.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that addressing racism is not just about white sympathy, but understanding and confronting the systems that perpetuate whiteness and white supremacy.
• 😀 The speaker explains that 'whiteness' refers to the structures, systems, and cultural norms that privilege white people, rather than the individual ethnic identity of white people.
• 😀 They argue that traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, like annual workshops, are ineffective because they don't address the root cause: whiteness and its systemic impact.
• 😀 Whiteness is not just about overt racism; it's about the normalization of white culture and values as the standard, which leads to inequality and exclusion.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for racial affinity groups where white people can confront their own complicity in perpetuating systems of oppression in a safe, non-judgmental space.
• 😀 Learning to talk about racism requires resilience and self-awareness, particularly for white people who must confront discomfort and emotional reactions when their biases are pointed out.
• 😀 The speaker stresses that confronting white supremacy is a long-term process that will require significant time and collective effort—around 125 years—due to its deep-rooted presence in society.
• 😀 Finally, they call for urgent action, as the persistence of whiteness is threatening not only marginalized communities but the entire nation, stressing the need for transformative work to make equity and inclusion the societal norm.

Q & A

What is the primary critique the speaker has of current DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) practices?

The speaker critiques DEI practices for being superficial, focusing mainly on annual workshops or emergency seminars, which fail to address the deeper, structural issues related to racism and whiteness. These practices do not create long-term change or truly promote equity and inclusion.

How does the speaker define 'whiteness' in the context of the discussion?

The speaker defines 'whiteness' not as an individual’s ethnic identity but as a set of structures, systems, and cultural norms that maintain white supremacy and privilege. These structures create a societal standard where white culture is seen as the norm or ideal.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of focusing on whiteness in DEI work?

The speaker argues that addressing whiteness is crucial because it is the root cause of systemic inequities. Whiteness perpetuates structural racism by prioritizing white culture, values, and people, thus impeding true diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations and society.

What specific experience does the speaker recount to illustrate the challenges of discussing race and racism?

The speaker recounts a personal experience where, during a board meeting discussing layoffs, they pointed out that a 'last in, first out' approach disproportionately impacted people of color. This led to backlash, where white board members denied any racial bias, demonstrating the defensive reactions often faced when addressing racism.

What does the speaker propose as an alternative to the typical DEI workshops?

The speaker proposes a more comprehensive, ongoing approach to DEI that involves structured skill-building in racial affinity groups. These groups would allow for deeper discussions on whiteness, emotional reactions to racism, and the development of skills such as listening with resilience and managing emotional reactions to racial issues.

How does the speaker suggest white individuals can better confront their own racial identity?

The speaker suggests that white individuals need to engage in self-reflection and practice confronting their own racial identity, including understanding the privileges associated with being white. They recommend doing this work within racially segregated affinity groups to allow white people to process their emotions and behaviors without causing further harm to people of color.

What emotional responses do white individuals often have when confronted with their racial biases?

White individuals often respond with feelings of shame, anger, tears, or paralysis when their racial biases or behaviors are pointed out. These emotional reactions, often a form of defensiveness, can hinder the process of learning and growth about race and racism.

Why does the speaker argue that DEI work in racially segregated groups is important?

The speaker argues that DEI work in racially segregated groups is important because it allows white people to confront their racial identity and the structures of whiteness without defensively reacting in ways that could retraumatize people of color. It provides a safer space for white people to engage in difficult conversations and self-reflection.

How does the speaker suggest managing the emotional reactions caused by confronting racism?

The speaker suggests that individuals should practice managing their emotional reactions through skill-building and structured learning. This involves developing resilience, sitting with discomfort, and learning how to respond thoughtfully when confronted with their own racial biases.

What is the broader societal issue the speaker highlights as a result of systemic whiteness?

The speaker highlights that systemic whiteness is not just a personal issue but a societal one. The persistence of whiteness in cultural and institutional systems contributes to racial injustice, segregation, and oppression, affecting not just communities of color but society as a whole, including issues like nativism and white supremacist movements.