LibraryScenariosWhen organizations tokenize while claiming inclusion
Scenario

When organizations tokenize while claiming inclusion

Our nonprofit board has one Black member and whenever we discuss anything related to race everyone looks to her to speak for all Black people, but when she brings up racism in our programming or hiring some people get defensive and say she's being divisive. We keep saying we value her perspective but our actions say otherwise.

Juana
Online
The coach is replying

More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

A group's attempt to diversify is reproducing the very dynamics they claim to oppose.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Cultural assimilation vs. preservation?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.