I was recently at a networking lunch and fortunate enough to sit at the fun table. Some of the “cool kids” at my table included a former journalist turned PR spin master, a hip VP for a tech services company wearing a J. D. Salinger inspired tee shirt and nonprofit executive.
The conversation was clever and easy. There was even a smashing and spot on impersonation of one of my former bosses. We were all united by only a few degrees of separation, which is not unusual in the Twin Cities community.
As we swapped stories and jokes the inevitable—though remarkably delayed—topic of what do you do crept into our happy sphere. “I sell cool services to even cooler businesses”, “I make people’s images publicly acceptable”…I’m paraphrasing but you all have heard these elevator pitches a million times. The elevator pitch you might not have heard much is what the nonprofit executive pitched. She works as a director of diversity and inclusion. “I teach these fools how to talk to people outside their first degree of separation” (again, paraphrasing).
“I am amazed you have that job!”
In this time of globalization, regional workforces and off shoring, how is it that we still need paid coaches to teach us how to communicate with people that we perceive to be in some way “different” from us?
The rapid-fire conversation at my lunch table continued smoothly after this round of elevator pitches. “Why would one of my co-workers think it is O.K. to invite me to the Urban League event just because I am black?” or one of my personal favorites “Tony, you are Italian, do you know this mobster in the news?” Funny, and yet tragic, is it possible we all say these things in some clumsy way of trying to connect? Or, do we all just really need to hire that coach?
The YWCA in Minneapolis is hosting the 8th Annual It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race October 20, 2010 to help us all improve our conversations on race. The keynote speaker this year is Dr. Julianne Malveaux.
Recognized for her progressive and insightful observations as an economist, author and commentator, Dr. Julianne Malveaux has been described by Dr. Cornel West as “the most iconoclastic public intellectual in the country.” Dr. Malveaux’s contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender, and their economic impacts, are shaping public opinion in 21st century America.
Dr. Malveaux is the 15th President of Bennett College for Women and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from MIT.
» Learn more about Dr. Malveaux on her website.
Event registration to the YWCA Minneapolis It’s Time to Talk: Forums on Race and check out the YWCA Minneapolis website at: ywcampls.org
As a white woman married to a black man, I’ve had quite an education in the last ten years. We now have two bi-racial kids. Honestly, speaking only for myself, I try and deal with “difficult” situations and stories in our family’s life with humor. Lately, when something happens…we try and laugh as HARD as possible.
–At the playground near Lake Harriet, when my husband asks our daugther to give up the swing to another child..and the father says “Thanks Bro” to my husband. Thanks BRO?
–On our honeymoon in St. Lucia, my husband enjoys a drink in the pool bar. After a nice long conversation with another couple, the wife tells my husband that she thinks its great he hangs out at the resort on his day off (assuming he was St. Lucian, and worked at Sandals).
–When another Mom at an ECFE class says in front of the whole class “When do we get to touch your daughter’s hair?”
–And, the classic MN questions…so where is your husband from? “Chicago, Mam.”
Great post Sheila!
I manage The Partnership program for the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. http://www.minneapolischamber.org/thepartnership.php
I have been fortunate to meet about 30 professional people of color who were recruited to come and work here in Minneapolis-Saint Paul in the past 2 years. The stories they tell of ignorance and isolation is heartbreaking. One participant told of coming back from lunch with a group of 4 co-workers, all with their company ID badges around their necks, the four were let through with barely a nod and our participant was stopped and scrutinized further – at his own company! MN isn’t as “open and accepting” as we think we are. A VERY important discussion for our region.