Well-Being & Inclusion Articles and Posts
By Theresa M. Robinson
The Way Some White Men Do It in the DM’S
Here’s the full July 17 inmail exchange. Tyler: “Hello Theresa, I have a question that I was hoping you could answer. Are racial stereotypes considered anti-diversity and racist?” (his initial DM is the screenshot accompanying the article's title) Me: “This feels...
Making Them (In)Famous: Companies That’ve Secured a Spot in the “Hall of Shame” (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
We’ve all heard the “career wisdom” that says to us….. “Don’t burn any bridges.” (even a bridge that needs to be burned down) “Don’t speak ill of a past employer.” (even if your lived experience backs it up) “Don’t say anything negative about a previous boss.” (even...
Weapons of Mass Instruction for True Aspiring Allies and Allies-in-Progress: 4 Mini-Lessons to Grow On and 1 to Act On (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
#1. If being an ally has NOT cost you comfort, convenience, or clout, you’re doing it wrong. That’s lesson number one. That’s where to start. Don’t even bother considering yourself a true ally if your comfort, convenience, or clout has not been adversely...
ALLY-ISH: When Smiling She-Wolves Show up in Ally Clothing (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
Sunday, June 26, was just like any other day in the life of a Black woman’s DMs and inmails, aka additional spaces on the platform where we typically receive racist and bigoted vitriol, ad hominem attacks, sleazy pick-up lines, etc. On this particular Sunday, as is...
“What’s a Black Girl Like You Doing with a White Girl Name Like That?” (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
“You have great energy. But you don’t look like a ‘Theresa.’” That's how I was greeted by one of the male leaders after I delivered a workshop for a group of oil & gas leaders. Ah. The name game again. Not my first rodeo with this nonsense. Okay, I’ll play along....
Why They Don’t Hear Us: We Speak Equity and Inclusion for All, and They Speak Profit and Power for a Few (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
“I know, Theresa, but my hands are tied. She brings in a lot of revenue for the company.” That’s how the CEO responded to the valid claims I had raised against my white identifying manager. I had exhausted all the official internal channels, and this meeting with the...
“The First,” “The Only,” and Other Narratives of Shame…for the Company (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
One of the greatest “magic tricks” companies pull off is the illusion of equity and inclusion operating in the workplace. Sleight of Hand— designed to manipulate and leverage a "recipient of honor" and to deceive watchers; relies upon misdirection, psychological...
A “Wake-Up-for-Real-This-Time” Letter to Wannabe Allies and Accomplices (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
Dear melanin-deficient folks who consider yourselves allies and accomplices but who…. still. don’t. get. it. Hard truth. It’s looking like no one earthly is coming to save Black people. You've watched a law passed "to curb hate crimes against Asian Americans".......
DEI that Fails to Decenter Whiteness Is Not Real DEI (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
White-washed DEI can take several forms. Pivoting and shape-shifting in order to appease, deflect, and deceive are a part of its charm for the performative companies that subscribe to a "words only" approach to DEI. It goes without saying that.... The aims of a...
DEI: It’s Where Companies Send BLM and Anti-Racism to Die (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
"Popcorn style"—giving voice to what pops up in your head or heart without regard for narrative conventions or rules. That's been my MO this week as I am still reeling, not feeling quite myself. My thoughts and feelings continue to crash over me like waves. I'm...
On “DEI-SPLAY”: Black Employees That Get Used and Used Up (part of the REAL DEIL™ series)
This is what "it" sounds like.... “Congratulations! We want you to give the presentation at this year’s industry-wide conference.” “We’d like to get a photo of you and a quote to include in our recruiting brochure.” “You’ve been selected as a feature in 'The Employee...
Memo to Chad: “Smile & Look Pretty” as a Career Strategy Won’t Work for Us (part of the REAL DEIL™️ series)
He directed only one word at me, and I lost it. And it wasn’t because I had noticed him staring at me the whole time. After the n* word, the b* word, and the c* word, this one really gets under my skin. “Smile.” When a single word is followed by a period, it’s a...
Subscribe to The REAL DEIL™ Newsletter
Recent Comments