What’s Missing from This Picture?
What’s missing from this picture?
Animal Care Expo
And this one?
Feline Forum
And this one?
Shelter staff
If you guessed “people of color,” you’re right!
According to 2009 estimates at census.gov, we live in a nation that is 21% non-white. In some states the non-white population goes up to nearly 40%, and there are many communities in which the majority of the population is non-white. And yet we operate in a field that is 95+% white.
OK, I admit that is a total guesstimate on my part. But if more than 5% of the animal sheltering field’s work force is non-white, then these folks are not attending animal welfare conferences – because the scene at most conferences is decidedly white.
OK – another admission. I’m white. And I live in a very white community in a very white state (Maine). So yes, I feel completely inept trying to start a conversation about racism in our field. But I feel like it’s a conversation that’s long overdue. Our organizations exist to improve the welfare of companion animals. Companion animals live with people. People of all races. And yet as long as we only – or mostly – look like just one race, we will have limited ability to understand the issues, communicate with the people, and solve the problems that lead to animal suffering in more diverse neighborhoods and communities.
A friend and colleague sent me a link to a lecture by Tim Wise entitled “The Pathology of Privilege, Racism, White Denial & the Costs of Inequality.” My friend is black. She recently spoke on issues of race at a state veterinary college. Then she discovered Wise – who is white – and she wished she could have sent him in her stead.
So, let’s start the conversation here. In celebration of Martin Luther King Day – or rather, in celebration of the life and work of Dr. King and the thousands of people who’ve worked on the issue of equality – as your friend and colleague, I’m passing on to you this incredibly moving lecture that my friend and colleague sent to me.
Many of our organizations – including mine – have taglines that refer to speaking for the voiceless. Animals aren’t the only ones without a voice in our work. If we want to be “humane” organizations, we’ve got to do something about that.
Tags: animal welfare organizations, diversity, racism, shelter staff
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Elena Battles Says:
Thanks for bringing up this important topic, Bert. I agree strongly that we should do whatever we can to ensure our organizations reflect the communities we live in – and that can be quite a challenge. Here is a link to an interesting document just published by CompassPoint NonProfit Services: http://www.compasspoint.org/content/index.php?pid=201. It’s a summary of steps we can take to encourage multicultural organizational development. I’d love to hear if any of our colleagues have had success in this area.
-Elena
Jodi Buckman Says:
Yeah Bert! A crucial topic – reminds me of my first introduction to http://www.illdoctrine.com and Jay
Jodi Buckman Says:
(whoops – darn fingers ahead of brain)
. . . that is Jay Smooth. Here’s a video blog he did on “how to tell someone their racist” . . .
http://www.illdoctrine.com/2009/06/allow_me_to_reintroduce_myself.html.
There are some other very cool blogs there as well.
jodi
Bert Troughton Says:
Elena – thanks for sharing this great resource! Agreed – I would love to hear how other organizations are reaching diversity. Let’s see if SAWA would be interested in doing training on diversity at an upcoming conference.
bert