Yesterday, a person I don’t know well thanked me for “all I am doing to speak out for justice.” It was one of those stunning moments when you experienced someone “getting” you. In that instant, tears sprang to my eyes and I realized that injustice breaks my heart.
Her comment sharply clarified that my work with professional women to help them live and lead boldly is my way of combating injustice. Since men founded most organizations, most organizations have masculine cultures where success depends on executing in ways that meet or exceed male productivity expectations. It was never an equal playing field for women in business and government. My work supports women living and leading boldly, giving voice to their brilliance, and contributing to their organization, families, communities, and the world without depleting their energy and spirit.
I was heartbroken when President #47, on his first days in office, put all Federal employees hired through diversity programs on leave with the intent to fire them. This ruthless act targets women and women of color, everyone who isn’t white, and most likely male. This is blatant racism and white supremacy.
Imagine being fired, not for poor performance, but for who you are. This is no meritocracy. If it were, there would be performance reviews or some other objective measure to determine who should go. This chilling message from Republicans is clear: I want to erase you. I don’t want to see you in the government or anywhere. I can destroy you and your family, and I don’t care.
This decision will devastate thousands of families. Not only might they take a financial hit, but they could also have to scramble to find work. I thought of the single mothers and wondered how they would survive. I wonder how they will know who was a “diversity hire” and how far back they will go to root them out.
Not only will these professionals deal with the practicalities of being fired in mass, but they will also have to emotionally cope with their government telling them they don’t belong. Most likely they come from families that have been part of this nation for generations. The indignity of dismissal for any reason is hard enough to bear. It breaks my heart that the United States used to be the land of opportunity, and now we are the government of racism, white supremacy, and systemic injustice!
What is happening that breaks your heart? Or have you already looked the other way, as so many did during the election that resulted in a rapist, felon, cheat, liar, and autocrat being elected president? I get it. Just staying informed is like trying to swallow a firehose. Still, the very least we can do is bear witness to the truth when there are so many efforts to feed us lies.
Our empathy in such times is essential to our humanity and the eventual recovery of the United States and the human race. Indifference or denial perpetuates the loss of our freedoms, which is unacceptable.
If you agree that empathy and bravery are two antidotes to this extreme patriarchal white supremacist regime, stay informed and allow your heart to be moved, even broken. This is how you will know what matters to you most. Then do the following:
1. Spread accurate information on this topic and explain why this breaks your heart. Don’t expect people to get it. What is happening is heinous, and people turn their heads away in self-preservation.
2. Find others who are moved by the same thing. Join them in resistance. Do what you can. You don’t have to do everything.
3. Lift others up who bravely fight for justice every day and everywhere—on social media, in the office, in the family, and among friends. We can’t get enough support these days.
4. Enjoy the feeling that you are not alone and are actively fighting for justice for your country’s citizens – all of them!
La Chiam!
Barrie
Such a great piece, Barrie! Love your advocacy.
Well said, Barrie! 👏🏻🙏🏻❤️