Cultural IQ

If Diversity Turned Into A Game, What Level Would You Be?

Some companies make diverse workers feel supported and welcome, while others send conflicting signals that stir anger and resentment. The mission statement of the company may say that it embraces diversity, yet none of the photos in the building or marketing materials reflect the organization's rich diversity.

Over the years, I have worked for companies with authentic diversity messages and for those that were a work in progress. From those experiences, I've identified four levels that great companies reach in their journeys toward competency:

Level One: Resistant Learner

This stage is the hardest to exit. It is natural for individuals within companies to push back against change. Baby steps may be needed when there is no consensus or pain yet. I found it helpful to catch colleagues getting it right. Send brief notes praising colleagues with cultural acumen or cultural competence. Soon, you have a movement.

Level Two: Curious Explorer

Where do we go for help? Who can we call? At this stage, I found it helpful to do a test drive. Develop a small pilot program, and monitor the results. Call in the experts.

Level Three: Critical Thinker

Anticipate the responses to these new ideas. Before you do, listen to the people who dread change. Adopt language that addresses their specific concerns.

Level Four: Champions

Reward workers who lead by example and show colleagues how to get it right. People pay closer attention to cultural competence when they realize it can bring higher sales, more money, and a better job.

 

Learning the Code of the Street Keeps Us Out of Harm's Way

 

When journalists visit City Hall, they rarely expect the mayor to stop everything for an on-the-spot interview. Instead, they set up an appointment. They befriend the administrative assistant. They build strong relationships to ensure they can get information when they need it quickly. Yet when venturing into communities of color, journalists often expect residents to stop what they are doing to help them, even though they are outsiders who look and speak differently.  When we do not show sources how much they are valued, they may shut down or get rid of us by telling us what they think we want to hear.

Failure to understand the code of the streets may put us and others in harm's way.

While serving as a national correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer, I was assigned to interview residents in a housing project in San Antonio after several single mothers had been shot and killed, prompting the mayor to hold a press urging residents to "cool it."  Then-U.S. Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez decided to hold a congressional hearing in the neighborhood to hear what residents had to say.

When I arrived, I immediately went to the community center where a young man was standing guard, looking very much like he was in charge.  I explained I was there to cover the hearing, and to discuss the conditions in the neighborhood. What was daily life like for the people who lived here? What type of barriers did they face? I was here to listen.

The young man declined an interview, though we chatted a bit. Less than a half hour later, I was walking the streets when a group of women rushed over. They explained that the drug dealers had sent out word that I was not a cop and it was OK to talk to me.  I later interviewed a courageous child who issued a plea to Congress to help protect the lives of their vulnerable moms.

After that, I never walked into a housing development without a plan. That experience taught me the importance of recognizing and understanding the roles people within a neighborhood play.  

Here are some of the lessons I've been given as I sought to improve my work and my communication skills: 

1) Ask for directions and engage with the community members. Take time to develop relationships. Visit barber shops and beauty shops for insights into the roles people play.  Talk to dog walkers. Visit with folks on their front porches. Check social media. 

2) Clearly state the purpose of the visit and seek help in understanding the neighborhood on a deeper level. Make it clear that they care about the people, as well as the story.

3) Leave behind contact information and assure residents of returning, showing commitment.

4) Dress appropriately for the neighborhood to signal respect and understanding.

5) Show respect and give respect in interactions with the community members. That simple gesture unlocks extraordinary and unforgettable experiences. While walking around a new neighborhood one day,  a group of teens came from behind me and surrounded me. I smiled and looked directly into the eyes of the young man who appeared to be in charge. "Gentlemen, how are you this morning?,"  I inquired. The teens laughed. Mr. In-Charge curtsied and then replied, "Milady." He then helped me to step over a puddle - a gallant act of chivalry. We laughed and went our separate ways. 

 

 

 

The Secret to Difficult Dialogues: Ask Questions, Require Participants to Disclose Their Sources

 Originally  published  on  Nov. 10,2020

Years ago, I was riding in a car with a real estate agent, taking a tour of neighborhoods in Northeast Philly.

As a real estate reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, I tried to visit new neighborhoods and meet people in the communities where they lived.

The real estate agent, who was white, showed me around Northeast Philly, raving about the strong housing demand, cleanliness and great schools.

As we drove along, I noticed that the view from my window changed: more Black and Brown people were walking the streets around us. The housing was a bit modest and there were fewer retail centers.

The agent turned to me and said, “This neighborhood is not safe. I wouldn’t want to live here.”

I asked: “Do you sell homes in this neighborhood as well?”

No, he said.

“Oh, then you know people who live here?”

Again, he answered no.

So – ever so politely – I asked, “Where did you get your information from? Who is your source?”

Shocked, the agent said nothing.

After a few moments of pronounced silence, I spoke: “It does not appear that you are an expert on this neighborhood, so I’ll have to find someone else to quote in my story.”

Years later, as I held cultural competency workshops for journalists, I shared this story as a cautionary tale.

How often do journalists pass along things that they are told without challenging them? We sometimes present racist, biased and/or made-up stuff as fact.

And before you know it, the Year 2020 has arrived with falsehoods spreading out of control like the wildfires out west.

If we want to have meaningful political conversations, then everyone needs to come prepared to back up their opinions with research, reliable data or indisputable proof.

Now that former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris have been declared winners of the 2020 presidential election, we have a lot to discuss. Some topics may be painful.

It is important that we support each other by asking that we all be at our best.

When someone tells us this election was stolen from President Trump, we say: “Where did you get your information from? Who is your source?”

We ask for concrete evidence, examples that we might check out and for the stories of real-life voters. We want to know more. We are not trying to shut down the dialogue.

If someone tells us all Trump supporters are racist and aren’t worth talking with, we respond, “Where did you get your information from? Who is your source?”

Again, ask for concrete evidence, examples that we might check out and stories of real people. (We would need to check out the stories of all 70 million people voting for Trump to prove they are all racist. If we aren't willing to do the legwork, we should reserve judgment.)

The days ahead won’t be easy. We are a nation in celebration and a nation in mourning in the same moment of time.