How businesses can add value to the conversation
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” - MLK.
Increased pressure is falling on businesses and people of influence to acknowledge and stand with the black community in solidarity against racial injustice. Silence can be seen as being complicit and vague performative allyship statements viewed as a distraction from making relevant changes. Speaking out, followed by ACTION is small steps towards collectively fighting for the world to be a better place.
We’ve compiled a few points along with examples to consider in your communications, to take a stronger stand in addressing this issue, supporting the black community and adding value to the conversation.
Transparency
Share what you are doing or pledge to do, to make a long term difference.
Do the values your business share externally, match what is reflected internally? If not, be honest and work on making a change.
Acknowledgement
Be direct about the issue at hand and empathetic about the pain felt.
Move past discomfort and avoid dancing around using the phrases; Black People (vs POC), #BlackLivesMatter, Privilege, Racism etc.
Solidarity
The black community want to know they are seen, heard and that you stand with them.
Make your solidarity clear in your messaging. Doing so also sends a message to other often marginalised ethnic groups about your values and stance on cultural issues.
Action
Actions speak louder than re-sharing a hashtag.
How will you take your support further beyond an online post? How can you ensure your lifestyle, workplace, brand marketing etc does not reinforce racial injustices?
It is not enough to be non-racist, we must be antiracist - Angela Davis
Good Examples:
Glossier
Converse
Net-a-porter
Get in touch for strategic communications support: connect@socialdisruption.co.uk
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