Have you ever wondered if there is a hierarchy of biases? Do you think there are groups that find it easier to communicate with each other and groups that think there is little hope of authentic conversation and clear understanding? Do you sometimes wonder how people can be so blind to the issues?
I recently facilitated a wonderful workshop called “Engaging White Women”. The workshop was designed to improve understanding between white women and Women of Color, particularly between Black and White women. We had an amazing experience together and one of the things we discussed was that the tensions between black and white women goes pretty much unnoticed in Corporate America (expect by the women directly affected, and in particular, by black women). Why is that? White women who choose to get involved in diversity believe they are doing their best to work on the issues; however black women see them as the “new gatekeepers”.