"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
Deconstructing Racist Ideology and Perceptions While “Doing” Diversity
By Dr. Carol Parker Walsh, JD, PhD, CEO ParkerWalsh Consulting, www.parkerwalshconsulting.com
Recently I attend an operations meeting in my organization and at the suggestion of the facilitator a brainstorming session ensued over the pressing issues for the upcoming fiscal year. Debating with myself, in my head, on whether or not I should broach a relatively volatile subject in the organization, I decided, “What the hell,” braced myself, and commented, “Diversity is an issue of importance.” Continuing, I noted that students, faculty, and staff have expressed multiple concerns over discriminatory and racist comments and treatment. I took a breath to form my next sentence and before a word could be spoken, the attack begun. As I sat back and heard a myriad of reasons why either this topic was inappropriate for this group or feigned naiveté over how could we possible operationalize and thereby “do” diversity, I was reminded of the debate which transpired in my head only moments before and my subconscious promptly teased, “I told you so.” Only when those at the table and over the phone realized the absence of my voice did I hear, “Do you want to explain what you meant?” Weary of the battle, which had now been waged for several years now, I said, “Forget it, I withdraw the comment, move on,” to the obvious discomfort of those in the room and on the phone.
