From “Calling in Black” to “Calling for Antiracism Resources”: the need for systemic resources to address systemic racism
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
ISSN: 2040-7149
Article publication date: 15 September 2020
Issue publication date: 25 January 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this essay is to highlight the urgent need for antiracism resource generation in organizations today.
Design/methodology/approach
This essay weaves together popular press articles, academic writings and the authors' lived experiences to summarize, clarify and extend the work needed inside of organizations and academia to dismantle systemic racism.
Findings
We define antiracist resources as personal and material assets that counteract systemic racism through informing and equipping antiracist actions, and identify three resources—adopting a long-term view for learning the history of racism, embracing discomfort to acknowledge racist mistakes and systematically assess how organizational structures maintain white supremacy—for organizations to address systemic racism.
Research limitations/implications
While there is a critical need for more antiracism research, there are standards and guidelines that should be followed to conduct that research responsibly with antiracism enacted in research design, methodology decisions and publication practices.
Practical implications
The authors call for organizations to directly counter-racism via antiracism resources and offer examples for how these resources can inform and equip companies to create equitable workplaces.
Originality/value
This essay offers: (a) an updated, timely perspective on effective responses to systemic racism (e.g. police brutality and COVID-19), (b) a detailed discussion of antiracism resources and (c) specific implications for antiracism work in organizational research.
Keywords
Citation
McCluney, C.L., King, D.D., Bryant, C.M. and Ali, A.A. (2021), "From “Calling in Black” to “Calling for Antiracism Resources”: the need for systemic resources to address systemic racism", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 40 No. 1, pp. 49-59. https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-07-2020-0180
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited