This is Part 3 in a series of articles designed to encourage community dialogue regarding cleaning up our own house with regards to racial/ social justice education so we can be more effective and compassionate, both within justice-based communities and society at large. This is available as a downloadable PDF This follows: Part 1. The…
Part 2. The Hole in Racial Justice: The Master’s Tools Won’t Build the Bridge
This is Part 2 in a series of articles designed to encourage community dialogue regarding cleaning up our own house when it comes to racial/social justice education so we can be more effective and compassionate, both within justice-based communities, and society at large. Also available as a downloadable PDF Other articles in this series: Part…
Part 1. The Hole in Racial Justice: A Love Letter
Also available as a downloadable PDF. The next 2 articles in this series: Part 2. The Hole in Racial Justice: The Master’s Tools Won’t Build the Bridge Part 3. The Hole in Racial Justice: Alloys of Social Justice _____________________________ There have always been holes in our work. In a historical context, the civil rights movement…
A Neuroscience Perspective on Systemic Discrimination
Originally published in Principal Connections • Fall 2018 • Volume 22 • Issue 1 Available as a PDF download After working with thousands of people across the education sector, I’m clear there is a central problem in our attempts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion: most people don’t fully grasp the concept of systemic discrimination.…
5 Critical Tips for Bridgebuilders in Racial Justice Work
Defusing Co-radicalization: How the Orlando Vigils Counter Terrorism and Trump At the Same Time
I think we are starting to figure it out. In a time of crisis and heartbreak, vigils like the one in Toronto following the mass murder in Orlando offer hope and healing. “Homophobia cannot be fought with Islamophobia,” was the title of article that described the powerful words of grief, pain, love, care and connection…
Neutralizing Our Inner Terrorist
During a CBC interview this past week, I introduced the term “inner terrorist” to describe mindbugs that make us vulnerable to the extremist agenda. A number of people followed up afterwards asking me to explain further. So to clarify, here’s what I meant. Underlying the frightening terrorist attack and the resulting anti-Muslim backlash in Western…
Paris: Our Mindbugs Feed Terrorism
As I write, just over 48 hours have passed since the horrific terrorist attacks took place in Paris. Almost 130 dead and more than 300 injured. Like many others, I’m shocked and numb at the news. My feelings of pain are a little hard to access. Grief at the loss of life in Paris is intertwined…
Bias and Racism in the Workplace — A Case Study
Many of my clients have been shocked after conducting internal audits of their organizations. Data analysis often reveals that racial minorities—especially Black and Indigenous People—face the highest rates of discrimination and harassment within the workplace. Members of these groups also are less likely to be promoted into higher leadership roles. And this is not limited…
Vulnerable Vancouver – Launch Update (20/10/15)
“You shared a lot about yourself in your book. Is it hard to be so vulnerable?” asked an audience member last week in Vancouver. I responded as best I could but sometimes the most obvious questions are the ones that make me stumble. As it turned out, vulnerability became a key theme at the West…
