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White Organizational Culture
Dr. Allison De Marco NUTR 245 January 20, 2017
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Overview Organizational Culture
Manifestations How these are oppressive Antidotes Case Study: CEF progress towards becoming an anti-racist organization Activity: Organizational Anti-Racism Assessment Discussion questions What is your organization doing well? Where does your organization need work?
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White Supremacy Culture
Culture = Shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs, and affective understanding that are learned through a process of socialization (Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition). White supremacy = A system that maintains legal, political, and economic privilege for whites (PBS Learning Media)
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Manifestations of White Supremacy Culture
[Source: Tema Okun, dRworks]
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Perfectionism Little appreciation expressed for the work that others are doing, appreciation goes mostly to those who already get most credit Antidotes Develop a culture of appreciation Learn from mistakes
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Sense of urgency Makes it difficult to take the time to be inclusive
Discourages democratic and/or thoughtful decision-making Antidotes Realistic work plans Increased discussion/planning time Set goals for inclusivity and diversity
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Defensiveness Org structure set up and energy used to prevent abuse and protect power Criticism of those in power viewed as threatening and inappropriate Energy spent to make sure feelings aren’t hurt Antidotes Understand that structure can’t facilitate/prevent abuse Understand link between defensiveness and fear Work on own defensiveness
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Quantity over Quality All resources directed toward producing measure goals Measurable things are more valued Little or no value attached to process Antidotes Include process/quality goals in planning Look for ways to include process goals
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Worship of the Written Word
The Organization doesn’t take into account/value other ways that information is shared Those with strong documentation and writing skills are more highly valued Antidotes Determine what needs to be documented Come up with alternative ways to document what is happening Recognize contributions/skills that everyone brings Make sure anything written is understandable
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One right way Once people are introduced to the right way they will adopt it If they do not adapt/change, then something is wrong with them Antidotes Accept that there are many ways to the same goal Never assume your org knows what’s best for a community
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Paternalism Decision-making is clear to those in power and unclear to those without it Those in power think they are capable of making all the decisions Those without power understand they don’t have it and who does Antidotes Make sure everyone know who makes decisions Include those affected by decisions in decision-making
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Either/Or Thinking Things are either/or, good/bad, right/wrong, with us/against us No sense that things can be either/or Leads to trying to simplify complex things Creates conflict and increases sense of urgency Antidotes Notice when people use either/or language Notice when people are simplifying complex issues Slow down and encourage a deeper analysis
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Power Hoarding Little, if any, value around sharing power
Power seen as limited Those with power feel threatened when change is suggested Those in power assume they have the best interests of the org at heart Antidotes Develop power sharing and include in value’s statement Discuss what good leadership looks like Understand that change is inevitable
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Fear of Open Conflict Those in power fear expressed conflict and avoid it When someone raises an issue that causes discomfort, response it to blame the person for raising the issue Emphasis on being polite Antidotes Role play ways to handle conflict Don’t require those who raise hard issues to raise them in “acceptable” ways
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Individualism Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness
Little experience/comfort with working in team Believe responsible for handling problems alone Accountability goes up and down Desire for recognition and credit Competiton more highly valued than cooperation Antidotes Include teamwork as important org value Make sure org working toward shared goals Create culture where problems are brought to the group - Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness
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“I’m the Only One” Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness
Connected to individualism Little or no ability to delegate work to others Antidotes Evaluate based on ability to delegate Evaluate based on ability to work as part of a team Equality = Sameness Equity = Fairness Equality is about SAMENESS. It promotes fairness and justice by giving everybody the same thing. BUT, it can only work if everyone starts from the same place. In the picture above, everyone gets the same size box, yet they still don’t all have a view of the playing field. However, equality only works if everyone is the same height. Equity is about FAIRNESS. It’s about making sure people get access to the same opportunities. Sometimes our differences and/or history can create barriers to participation. We must first ensure EQUITY – everyone with the same view of the playing field – before we can enjoy equality.
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Progress is Bigger, more
Seen in how we define success Progress = org which expands or serves more people Gives no value to the cost Antidotes Ask how the actions of the group now will affect the future Make sure cost/benefit analysis includes all costs Include process goals in planning Outside evaluation
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Objectivity Belief that there is such thing as being neutral
Belief that emotions are inherently destructive, irrational, and shouldn’t play a role in decision-making Requiring people to think in linear (logical) fashion Antidotes Recognize there are different world views that impact how people understand things Sit with discomfort Assume all have valid points
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Right to Comfort Belief that those in power have right to emotional/psychological comfort Scapegoating those who cause discomfort Equating individual acts of unfairness against white people with systemic racism that daily impacts people of color Antidotes Understand discomfort is at root of all growth/learning Welcome discomfort Deepen analysis of racism and oppression
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Perfectionism Sense of Urgency Defensiveness Quantity over Quality Worship of the Written Word Only One Right Way Paternalism Either/Or Thinking Power Hoarding Fear of Open Conflict Individualism I’m the Only One Progress is Bigger, More Objectivity Right to Comfort
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Case Study: Community Empowerment fund
Founding to 2014 Institutional racism not in vocabulary Talk about prejudice and privilege Member base disproportionately Black Advocates disproportionately White and non-Black POC Spring 2014 4 staff to REI Created a WIPPO (Workshop on Institutional Power, Privilege and Oppression) Much discussion
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CEF’s Work toward becoming and anti-racist organization
Strategic Planning 2015 Intentional planning with commitment to anti-oppression Training staff Determine how best to engage members Current Status REI training for all staff and board Integrated WIPPO into advocate training Anti-racism advocacy
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CEF’s Work toward becoming and anti-racist organization
Plan Going Forward Training/Education Read/Reflect/Discuss Organizational practices Do no harm
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Organizational Anti-racism Assessment
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Group Discussion: - What is your organization doing well
Group Discussion: - What is your organization doing well? - Where does your organization need work?
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