Episode 8: Diversity, Inclusion, and Privilege with Simone McNish
Episode 8: Diversity, Inclusion, and Privilege with Simone McNish
Show Notes
During this episode of The Online Business Show, host Tyler J. McCall speaks with Simone McNish, a business coach who runs a diversity and privilege workshop. Tyler and Simone discuss the current Black Lives Matter movement, what it means to be anti-racist, and what business owners can do right now and in the future to support the movement and change.
Episode Highlights:
What is it that changed so swiftly with people speaking out about racism?
The revolution happening right now is huge. For example, there have been protests in all 50 states.
Simone defines the terms diversity, inclusion, and privilege and describes how they are different from each other.
What does it mean to be anti-racist or start an anti-racist organization?
What is the separation between saying “I’m not racist” and “I’m anti-racist?”
Racism is a system that keeps people of color down.
What would be an example of an entrepreneur being actively anti-racist?
Actively talking to people and trying to educate them on racism, confronting the issue head on.
It’s important to be able to make a mistake and learn from it, and not to fear being “canceled.”
Simone speaks about the issue of tone policing.
What do you say to (white) people who are feeling attacked right now?
A lot of whiteness has been “colorblindness” and pretending you can’t see color.
Simone speaks about how “performative allyship” is really just checking the box and not seeing the work through.
Simone is worried that the revolution is already starting to dry up.
How does this become sustainable?
Can you talk about unconscious bias?
Everyone has unconscious bias and understanding them takes constant learning.
What are the ways in which white online business owners are getting this wrong, and how can they do better?
Why do people have so much trouble saying Black Lives Matter?
When white people are posting about racism, and get called out for not doing enough, what is the best way to respond?
Consider the people in your audience and why you are attracting them.
How do we, as white entrepreneurs, make sure this is something that becomes a component of running our business?
Make your support public and take the risk, and continue to do that.
3 Key Points
There is a difference between being “not racist” and being “anti-racist.”
It’s important to learn from your mistakes and not let them hold you back from continuing to speak out about injustices.
Taking messy action is better than taking no action.
Tweetable Quotes
“Right now we’re in a revolution. Like, we’re literally in a revolution and people can’t look away anymore.” -Simone McNish
“If you’re considering yourself an ally, you have to be able to make a mistake.” -Simone McNish
“The problem with tone policing is that it narrows the scope of who can talk and how they can talk.” -Simone McNish
“I feel like a lot more people need to own up to the fact that they’re scared.” -Simone McNish
“It’s better to take messy action and be called out and be wrong than to take no action.” -Simone McNish
Episode Transcript
About the Host / Guests
