WHITE DOMINANT CULTURE & SOMETHING DIFFERENT a worksheet
‘Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.’ –César Chávez ‘All learning happens through culture. Thus, we all have culture.’ –Zaretta Hammond We all have culture which we express in observable ways, how we interact, what we value and hold to be true. No culture is better than another. As lovers of freedom and justice, we can aim to create inclusive spaces where we all can bring our best and highest selves. At the same time, we can be mindful of how our environments impede our ability to unleash our unlimited potential. In our society, the dominant culture that shapes our institutions, our media, the way we see ourselves and each other is that of the white, middle class. Racial equity trainer Tema Okun suggests that the characteristics of white dominant culture can be harmful not in and of themselves but ‘when they are used as norms and standards without being pro-‐actively named or chosen by the group…. These attitudes and behaviors can show up in any group or organization, whether it is white-‐led or predominantly white or people of color-‐led or predominantly people of color.’ In the table below, Okun calls the attitudes and behaviors in the left column aspects of white supremacist culture. The definition of white supremacist culture, or, white dominant culture, that we like to use is simple and expansive: The explicit to subtle ways that the norms, preferences and fears of white European descended people overwhelmingly shape how we à organize our work and institutions, see ourselves and others, interact with one another and with time, and make decisions. We invite you to take a look at the characteristics of white dominant culture in the left hand column (‘Norms of White Dominant Culture’). Think about how they might apply to you as an individual or play out in your organization. Take a look at the right hand column for some antidotes, or, alternatives, to white supremacist culture (‘Something Different’). How are you or could you apply those to yourself, your work or your organization?
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