I imagine that some of you who are reading this are like me: a white person doing diversity work.  We are often challenged by other people who want to know why we have to “fix other peoples’ problems,” “help other people,” or whatever other question that people say that implies that those in positions of privilege have no part in changing our society, institutions, systems, etc.  Yet, that is a key reason for taking such action.

Someone I used to work for (who was white) would begin training programs by saying “you probably didn’t expect to see me today when you came to a diversity training.”  This is often true.  Yet we also have our own identity development that is happening concurrently.  A little over a month ago, I ran a diversity retreat.  Afterwards, I reflected as follows:

“We spent some time talking about identity development models – how each of our social identities develops/transforms overtime, at different levels, and at the same time as our other identities.  We had an incredibly diverse group of participants (and not just in the “usual” dimensions of the term).  This morning when I was standing in the middle of the circle of participants, I reflected on my whiteness.  I’m not entirely sure what it was that made me think this way, but almost as if someone hit a button, I was instantly aware that I was a white person leading the Retreat.  Would it be seen as though the majority person was trying to tell the minority people what “they” needed to do?  I hope not.

I certainly do not have all of the answers.  I just try to do my part to make the world a better place.  Hopefully I am able to impart some wisdom on other people, just as other people constantly teach me and challenge me.  In that process, I think it is important for each of us to recognize and own our own identities and engage ourselves as we try to discover who we are and how we interact with others.”

The founder of DiversityInc recently published a post titled “Can a White Man Speak With Authority on Diversity?” I suggest reading it.  He provides an interesting perspective.