Allyship is not a term we can self-appoint. Rather it is something that is earned. Communities may label us as Allies, but it’s not the other way around. Further, Moises Echeverria and I couldn’t stop once we started discussing Racism at the Personal Level. Here in Part 2, we provide a bit of history to uncover how business, municipal, educational and national systems support and aggravate racism.
The systemic nature of oppression is embedded in everything and all we do. Racism and systemic oppression is like an escalator. “Escalator Metaphor” – where people of privilege ride the escalator up and are oblivious that others never make it on to the escalator, or see that others are always walking down it when it’s going up. The oppressed rarely make upward progress.
Systemic Racism Examples:
- Hiring of people of color – research shows that people with ethnic sounding names are hired less frequently.
- Discipline – Data supports higher suspensions of people of color (POC). At work, POC often mentioned greater scrutiny than their white peers
- Employee appearance and dress code – standards of beauty, including dress and hair may be examined.
- Promotions – More white men are promoted than women and men of color.
- Police patrol – There is over-policing of neighborhoods with more diverse residents.
- Violence – Killing of black men by law enforcement.
In 2020 we still hear news about people breaking “glass ceilings” – Why are there so many “glass ceiling?” For instance, on July 13, 2020, the US Navy awarded its first African American woman fighter pilot since the inception of the Navy 110 years ago. We recognize Lt. J.G. Madeline Swegle, and we wonder why it took so long.
What Can Organizations Do?
• Organize movements to promote equity.
• Hold decision makers accountable.
• Amplify voices of people who have been historically marginalized (avoid white savior complex).
• Vote for individuals who promote ideals of diversity and inclusion.
• Support organizations who promote these values:
o Educational organizations
o Service oriented organizations
Issue specific organizations in Tulsa region:
Aware Tulsa – he local affiliate of the national White anti-racist network Showing up for Racial Justice, which is all volunteer-led at the moment, but whose mission is so critical right now and could really build
People Not Mascots – An indigenous-led group working to eliminate stereotypical “Indian” mascots in Oklahoma public schools, beginning with a Tulsa-based campaign to change the Union Rs, Central Braves, and Webster Warriors.
Demanding a Just Tulsa – A police accountability group I work with (we were behind getting last year’s City Council meetings on racial disparities in policing), which does not yet have a nonprofit status but could thrive with some seed funding.
CAIR Oklahoma – The state chapter of the national organization protecting the civil liberties of American Muslims.
New Sanctuary Network Tulsa: Providing financial, legal, and advocacy assistance to undocumented individuals at jailed at David L Moss because of their immigration status.
Terence Crutcher Foundation: Founded by Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, who is leading all of the most impactful work on racial justice in Tulsa right now, full stop. She’s involved directly or indirectly with many of the groups listed below.
If you’d like to know more about personal responsibilities and racism, please watch the Coach to Coach (C2C), Part 1 – Racism at the Personal Level @ https://janemudgett.com/racism-at-the-personal-level-part-1/