Can I Have a Positive Racial Identity if I'm White?

This blog is my second post in a different, shorter format, as I try something new! Often I read, wonder, learn, make mistakes, and grapple alongside clients and colleagues, and I want to write about that in shorter snippets. I hope to engage and explore more frequently with you by sharing these quick notes. You are invited to share your thoughts, reactions, or wonderings in the comments below. Let's give it a try!

Can I Have a Positive Racial Identity if I'm White?

I notice body language when we mention patterns of whiteness, unpacking the social construct. White people cringe, tighten their shoulders, and avert their eyes. I can sense the walls going up.

Developing a healthy understanding of the social construct of whiteness is critical to leadership, especially to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments.

White consciousness is:

“One’s own awareness of being white and what that implies in relation to those who do not share white group membership” (Rowe, 1994).

"The idea that consciousness, the cognitive and sensory experience of one’s relationship with the world, is shaped by one’s white racial identity” (Perhamus, 2018).

Dr. Kowalski-Braun defines ambivalence to white racial consciousness as evidenced by "a simultaneous push toward awareness about white racial privilege and a pulling back from this knowledge in order to remain in one’s comfort zone."

In her TEDx Video, Ali Michael helps pave a potential path toward ongoing and increased awareness of white racial privilege and willingness to take action.

Click here to watch the video if the player below does not display for you.

Ali Michael | TEDxCheltenham

Ali Michael shares typical reactions as we more deeply understand whiteness, such as:

the misconception that talking about race makes you racist
racial anxiety occurs as we are learning
lack of fluency about race is common

If you are white, what do you hear in this video that speaks to you? Do you talk about whiteness with other white people or with People of Color? What steps can you take to increase your white consciousness?

Please share your reactions or additions below in the comments!

I wish you courage and resilience for the leadership and learning journey.

Deanna Signature

PS - Here is a past blog post that you might want to dig into around this topic.

Tags:

race, learning, identity, Quick Note

Post by Deanna Rolffs (they/them)
September 28, 2022

Deanna Rolffs (they/them) is a strategist, facilitator, coach, systems thinker, and Process Consultant who works with executive leaders and teams at the intersection of organizational theory, leadership development, justice, and equity. Their process consulting approach focuses on organizational transformation via thriving teams, brave leadership, equitable systems, and inclusive communities. Deanna served as a Senior Consultant with Design Group International since 2018, became a Senior Design Partner in 2021, and launched L3 Catalyst Group in 2023.