We all recognize that compassion requires kindness. The research shows that compassion comes more easily to those who nurture instinctively. But if we stop there in our consideration of compassion, we miss out on some of the most important and powerful parts of compassion – those parts that exhibit courage and strength. In organizations in particular, courageous compassion is particularly necessary.
Leading with compassion is a powerful means to dismantle the structure of systemic racism. Gain a greater awareness of the experiences of others, and you are on the path to becoming a stronger compassionate leader. What else are you learning? What else are you doing? How else do you plan to contribute to the elimination of systemic racism?
In White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, Robin DiAngelo carefully examines the roots of the modern American racial structure and the reasons it is so difficult to acknowledge the pervasiveness of racial bias. She offers a path forward for white people to dismantle the grossly inequitable structure within which we all live.
