Disrupting Patterns of Oppression in the Workplace with Dr. Maxine Davis

11/02/21 • 48 min

Are you guilty of performative allyship? Today’s guest, Dr. Maxine Davis, a scholar, activist, and author, breaks down the pitfalls of performative allyship and how even well-meaning professionals can perpetuate oppression and social harms in the workplace. In early 2021, Dr. Davis authored an article in Nature Human Behavior, Anti-black practices take heavy toll on mental health. We chat about Dr. Davis’s own experiences with anti-black practices in the workplace and recommendations for a more inclusive workplace.

Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc046.

Topics Covered:

Defining cultural appropriation and how it shows up in the workplace
How cultural appropriation causes harm
Distinguishing cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation
Defining performative allyship and how it shows up at work
Tips for moving beyond performative allyship
How professionals in helping professions can perpetuate oppression and social harms
Finding a mental health therapist/social worker
How to hold organizations accountable to move beyond performative allyship
Dr. Davis’s experience with anti-black practices in academia
Why it’s difficult for some to talk about race and interrogate their practices
How institutions can address anti-Black practices

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Twitter https://twitter.com/BreakConcrete/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/breakconcrete/

E-mail feedback to [email protected].

If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.

Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc046.

Topics Covered:

Defining cultural appropriation and how it shows up in the workplace
How cultural appropriation causes harm
Distinguishing cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation
Defining performative allyship and how it shows up at work
Tips for moving beyond performative allyship
How professionals in helping professions can perpetuate oppression and social harms
Finding a mental health therapist/social worker
How to hold organizations accountable to move beyond performative allyship
Dr. Davis’s experience with anti-black practices in academia
Why it’s difficult for some to talk about race and interrogate their practices
How institutions can address anti-Black practices

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/breakconcrete/

Twitter https://twitter.com/BreakConcrete/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/breakconcrete/

E-mail feedback to [email protected].

If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.

Previous Episode

Does Your Definition of Leadership Exclude Women of Color? with Dr. Marlette Jackson

Far too often, we operate in workplaces where women of color leaders are lacking. However, that’s not because women of color lack leadership skills. Nor is it because of a lack of interest. Break Concrete is kicking off Season 4 with Dr. Marlette Jackson, a scholar, diversity and inclusion consultant, and co-author of the Harvard Business Review article, Does Your Definition of Leadership Exclude Women of Color? Dr. Jackson interrogates common leadership values and norms and how they exclude women of color. We talk about how organizations can expand their definition of leadership and assign value to qualities often overlooked or criticized when held by women of color.

Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc045.

Topics Covered:

Barriers women of color face in career advancement
Understanding invisible labor and how it impacts women’s careers
Common leadership values and why companies should reexamine attributes of leadership they value
Who is left out of common definitions of leadership
Expanding our definition of leadership
Defining cultural capital, resistance capital, and navigational capital
Reimagining the workplace through a communal vs. individualistic lens
Challenging problematic norms around leadership and getting buy in
Questions organizations should ask when seeking leaders in the workplace
Why we should look for unconventional leadership skills when hiring
Problems with seeking company “fit”
How to measure success when diversifying leaders in the workplace
Retaining diverse leaders in the workplace

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/breakconcrete/

Twitter https://twitter.com/BreakConcrete/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/breakconcrete/

E-mail feedback to [email protected].

If you like this episode, please leave a review and rating.

Next Episode

The Problematic Politics of Style and Gender Identity in the Workplace with Doreen Pierre

After spending over a year working from home, returning to the office and readjusting to your company dress code can be challenging. Today, Doreen Pierre, a Brooklyn based fashion writer, visual content creator, and events producer chats about how restrictive dress codes inhibit us from bringing our true Selves to work. Doreen’s work centers people of color and queer communities and has been featured in The Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Virgin Media, DapperQ and more.

Find links and show notes at https://breakconcrete.com/bc047.

Topics Covered: