Why do Black Lives Matter?

My mother always describes herself as a “green grass, blue skies” kind of person. While other parents urged their children to become lawyers and doctors, my mother would always tell me to just “do what I love.” I appreciate this about her, this focus on love. I know that when she says “All Lives Matter,” that it is genuine. What I hope to explain to her, and to you as well, is that all lives can’t matter until Black lives matter.

 I know that this statement alone may create some tension. In the coming weeks, we’ll touch on how to persevere through anger and communicate about these issues in a healthy way. Here’s a quick spoiler: if you hear something you don’t agree with, that’s okay, but keep listening before you walk away too soon. To some, the Black Lives Matter movement can be difficult to understand. The good news is, if you’ve ever been confused it’s not your fault. We are all limited to our own two eyes and two ears. If you are not Black, then of course you may be shocked when you first hear about the Black experience in America. Yet, just because it isn’t your reality, doesn’t mean it isn’t real, right? 

The truth is, learning about others’ experiences will help you to become a more rational thinker, a better friend, and maybe even more successful in business. One interesting topic in psychology is that of “bounded rationality.” Since we can only experience life through our own perspective, our knowledge is limited. When we listen, learn, and include other perspectives, we also learn to look at the same issue from multiple angles. As you expand your skills around listening and imagining other perspectives, you naturally become a better friend to those around you. We are so quick to give advice, but how can we give the best advice? Through understanding the entirety of a situation, putting yourself in each person’s shoes, and imagining various solutions.

Specific to the working world, there is a rich body of evidence that demonstrates the incredible value in curating a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is no longer just the “right thing to do,” it is also the right thing to do for the bottom line. Companies that have ethnically diverse teams outperform on profitability, decision-making, and employee retention. Yet, we see that although Black Americans make up about 12% of the population, they occupy only about 3% of senior leadership positions in large US companies. To understand this, we must look deeper to understand the policies and activities that are limiting Black professionals. More to come on this in the future.  

So, how can we begin to understand the Black experience? Well, let’s think about how we learn anything in life. We listen to those around us, we investigate on our own, and we reflect on what we’ve learned. Begin by listening to those around you. If you are anything like my mother, and believe in the value of every life, then you should also value the narrative behind each person’s life -- a narrative that may be affected by race.

As we continue our series, you’ll find that we believe in the power of action just as much as the power of discussion. In that light, here are a few action items:​

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1. Google “What is it like to be Black in America?”

   1. You will likely come across articles, podcasts, or some other form of information. Pick 3 and listen to a Black person describe their experience living in America.

2. Reflect on what you read. I recommend writing your thoughts down. Ask yourself:

   1. How would my childhood be different if I were Black? 

   2. How would my adult life be different if I were Black? 

   3. How would my life be different today if I were Black?

3. Look back on your answers. Were these insights based on what you learned through listening? Did you base your answers off of any stereotypes?

If you have any insights of your own, questions, or feedback, we would be honored to hear from you. Next week, we’ll discuss how our ego can get in the way of our development. Stay tuned!