Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
This year has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, and not the fun manageable ones at carnivals or fairs. I’m talking shoot you out the gate and drop you without any type of warning roller coaster ride! If I had to sum up 2020 with a theme thus far it would be, “get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
From dealing with the death of Kobe Bryant (which I stil can believe), straight into a global pandemic that cost people their lives and jobs, to a quarantine lockdown, then to get thrusted into deeply exposing racial injustice in America. It’s been one hell of a ride for the last six months and change.
Despite how rough 2020 has been, I’m embracing the idea of getting comfortable with having uncomfortable conversations. As of late, surrounding race and social injustice with people outside of the black community. If 2020 has taught me anything so far, it’s to stretch myself and those around me to promote growth.
So how can we use our voices and platforms to creates change around us? Here are a few ways I’ve been sharing lately.
Speak Up
The first thing has to be to call out injustice and racism when you see it and calling it exactly what it is. Yes, it’s uncomfortable and awkward, but how else are we supposed to help people realize that certain actions and words are unacceptable? As a black woman in sports, I work mostly around white men, and in my career I have heard and seen things things that are just down right wrong. The reinforcement of stereotypes, people being overlooked for jobs based on appearance, etc. Years ago as a young broadcaster I never wanted to rock the boat. I always just felt lucky to be in the room, however, now more than ever our voices, honesty, and truths need to be heard.
Amplify Black Voices!
Share a black business, refer a talented person of color for a job, or even better, refer them for a leadership position! Amplify and lift while climbing. Even before this recent burst of support (and I use this term loosely) for the black community and black business, I’ve always made it my business to open up doors for those in my circle and other talented people I come across along the way. Quite honestly, that’s how I got where I am today. Someone sharing my work or mentioning my name in a room that’s filled with opportunity. Specifically a black man or woman and I’m thankful for each and every one of them that has helped get me to where I am today. This is a proactive and positive way to see growth and change come about in our communities.
Educate Yourself
Over the last month I’ve learned so much more about the black community, our history, and how deep racism is embedded into American policies and cultural structure. And not just through social media, but through actually reading articles and watching documentaries for historical context. When you arm yourself with knowledge you can effect change not only in your life, but in the lives of others around you!
Accountability
I think if there had to be one word to describe June, it would have to be accountability. Receipts were, and are continuing to be pulled to hold companies, leaders, individuals, publications, and more accountable. Every one wants to be a part of the movement, however, they don’t have the receipts to prove they’re actually doing the work. Continue to hold those people accountable to make sure their actions match their words and PR statements.
The conversations we are having right now are not only important, but freeing, and not a trend. We all have a job to do in order to help create a better world not only for ourselves, but for the generations of black men and women that will follow. How are you handling the roller coaster ride that is 2020? Share below!
