5 Ways to Respond When Your Company Ignores Black History Month
By Jessica Wise
Another year, another slew of companies either pretending to care about Black History Month or completely ignoring it altogether. I’m not going to dignify these still majority white-led corporations continuing to shop half-baked “Black History Month has nothing to do with business” arguments by listing all the ways it actually has everything to do with business. BUT I will arm you with ways you can respond to your company’s poor behavior and keep your job, your dignity, and (hopefully) your sanity.
Disclaimer: While none of the suggestions below are inappropriate or radical, I don’t proclaim to know your job climate. Do not, under any circumstances, follow any of these suggestions if doing so puts your job in jeopardy. Protect yourself and your family until you can find a new position that celebrates and supports you.
Option 1: Acknowledge It Yourself
Are you running the team meeting? Did you get the floor for the quarterly town hall? Throw in a quick “Happy Black History Month” before you begin your presentation or spiel. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or elaborate, just those four words. Your Black teammates will appreciate it. This is something anyone can do, regardless of race or ethnicity. Even if you’re not Black, you can be an example of acknowledging diversity without hijacking the meeting.
Option 2: Ask What’s Up
If you feel safe enough to do so, go to your manager or someone with pull who you trust. Simply ask if and when the company is going to acknowledge Black History Month. If the answer is yes, great! If the answer is no, ask why.
Option 3: Make a Proposal
The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Make a Black History Month plan to take to leadership. If your manager or your peers are trustworthy and in agreement, ask them to join you. Don’t spend too much time on it. Black employees should not be responsible for the company acknowledging and celebrating them. You also don’t want to take up too much time without a guarantee your idea will move forward. Give yourself an hour and see what you come up with. Then schedule a meeting to present your idea. It will get what you want done, and you can use your spearheading as leverage for future raises and promotions.
Option 4: Rally the Troops
You don’t have to stand alone. Gather peers you trust to start shaking the table. Reach across departments, or drop a line in the diversity group chat (I know y’all have one, too!). The more people speak up, the harder it will be to ignore. You’ll also have more people to participate in whatever Black History initiatives come out of it. Should leadership still try to quell it like a rebellion, then you have your answer there, too.
Option 5: Don’t Respond
Sometimes silence is golden. When a company shows who they are, believe them. Spruce up your resume and take your talents elsewhere. A company that doesn’t celebrate your Blackness (or diversity in general) won’t be interested in celebrating you or your gifts.
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