Don’t just make a statement. Do the work

In recent years the world and our society has faced a litany of harsh realities. #MeToo, #BLM, #MMIW… it’s a long list. And companies, large & small have had to make some choices as to whether they make a statement in support of the cause that caught their attention (or the attention of their customers) or perhaps make a donation.

This is good. Unless it’s done for purely marketing purposes. A couple of years ago, Apple made an announcement that they had achieved gender equity in their payroll. Catch that? It was an announcement. It was news. How do we make it *not* news?

The one thing that Apple did do, was the work required to be able to make that announcement. What’s better than any announcement saying you support something? Doing. The. Work.

Most racists say they’re not racist. Toxic masculinity doesn’t admit to being misogynistic. So what separates those that say it by making a statement and those that really mean it? The work.

Accept the shame that goes with privilege. It’s ok. Step up and own the previous mistakes. Know you’ll make more. If necessary, apologize but then fix it and… Do the work.

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