White Supremacy Culture, But Make it Remote!

Based on an Instagram post made on 3.16.20 by Joanna Gattuso (@joeybirrd)

I am thinking a lot right now about how this is a moment for our orgs to pivot. To do something different. We can’t do business as usual, but make it remote. Business as usual is white supremacy culture.

The following thoughts are based on the pivotal work of Tema Okun and the late Kenneth Jackson Jones, who first offered the framing of “White Supremacy Culture” that continues to help us see our systems so clearly.

The Nonprofit Industrial Complex has always failed to take care of its workers. I’m worried about how harmful workplace cultures are showing up in the expectations we have for remote work, particularly in the context of this global pandemic, a collective trauma.

Perfectionism

Expecting people to be okay right now. Expecting people to maintain a high quality of work in the midst of rampant, brain-melting anxiety.  We are not simply working from home. We are doing our best to avoid illness and death, while trying to work.  

Sense of Urgency

Expecting quicker, immediate response just because everyone is at home. Assuming that work is our #1 priority during a social, economic, and public health emergency. Moving our work from a place of reaction and response, rather than addressing root causes.

Worship of the Written Word

EMAIL IS SCRIPTURE. Documentation is proof of productivity. They’ll ask, “if we cannot see you working, are you really working?” Right now, bosses are losing a sense of control and are being called to lean into trust of their workers.  Those who resist will rely on time logs, email updates, and unreasonable deliverables.

Individualism

Social isolation, lack of meaningful connection, looking out for ourselves. Many organizations are failing to increase attunement, trust, and collaboration among their employees. In this case, remote work means working alone. 

Power Hoarding

Resistance to leadership of those closest to the pain. Queer and trans folks, black folks, indigenous folks, chronically ill folks, and working class folks. Our systems have never worked for everyone, and now is no different. Those with power are doing everything to hang on, knowing that deep, structural change is coming. 

Either/Or Thinking

Organizational policies that simply complex feelings and nuanced circumstances. Either you are fine (keep working, keep producing) or you are sick (take a day off). We have to stay flexible and adaptive to the needs of our body and spirit while attempting to work through feelings of fear, instability, scarcity, and worry.

Quantity over Quality: 

Pushing existing metrics and goals and upholding the status quo, even in new circumstances. Centering productivity or powering through an agenda without care for what emerging needs and priorities exist for clients, community, or employees. 

What else?  What are the antidotes? In every major crisis, there is a before and there is an after.  I am choosing to believe that we will come to understand that there are things we’ll leave behind in the world before COVID. And we will co-create a more beautiful after. 

If you are interested in digging in deep on how White Supremacy Culture is manifesting at your organization, contact me. Let’s work together to design a future for your work that is caring, connected, and on purpose.