Safe Space for Courageous Conversations
This brilliant infographic created by Dr. Johnny Parker may be the guide that you need to open the door to conversation.
If you are non-Black and have Black employees the current climate calls for discourse. But remember, the first step is to ask if they want to discuss issues with you. Creating a safe space means it’s OK if they tell you no. For a variety of reasons, they may not be open to expressing how they feel. They may not be receptive to hearing how you feel either.
You’ve never walked in their shoes so don’t assume that you know how they feel.
Their choice doesn’t make them “difficult” or “angry” or “not a team player” It makes them human.
Things take time.