Thread by @itsafronomics, late night thoughts: I am starting to believe that any institution that [...]

late night thoughts: I am starting to believe that any institution that claims to be about diversity, equity, and inclusion is really about homogeneity, inequity, and exclusion.

h/t @DrMonicaCox @ReignOfApril: Rhetoric =/= action and I think many institutions have wasted 2020 on "we're not anti-Black racists" rhetoric and not action against actual anti-Black racism.

There was a two month long stretch in 2020 where it seemed like every organization wanted to look like they weren't racist so they put out calls for *a* diversity officer and #BlackLivesMatter

statements.

Frankly, it was disingenuous to see.

I find it odd that Black lives is something that is so heavily contested. It took the literal removal of a Black life to get non-Black people to realize that Black life is worthy and should be protected.

I mean, excuse my French, but that's fucked up and so dehumanizing.

PSA:

Organizations valuing Black people because they don't want to seem racist =/= Organizations valuing Black people

If you don't want to dignify my existence when it's not convenient for you, then you actually don't value me. It's that simple.

It has become quite clear that many organizations use Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a way to cover their very limited view of diversity, equity, and inclusion as noted by what 's happening to @timnitGebru @IfeomaOzoma in tech.

Also: Diversity =/= Only more white women btw.

Also diversity initiatives that lack intersectionality are not the solutions organizations think they are.

"Diversifying your pool" doesn't fundamentally change ANYTHING since the power structures that excluded marginalized people in the first place are still in place.

And another thing: You can't be an institution that claims to be about diversity, equity, and inclusion and then make those you are trying to include do the work of including themselves into your institution that historically excludes them.

I am looking at you academia.

I'm going to be spicy and also point out that many institutions seems to mistakenly think that ~very~ privileged white women represent the marginalized when they don't.

Rich white women don't represent all of us, stop making them the face of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Let me also add that just because someone is not a white straight man doesn't mean they are qualified to be a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

That's it. That's the tweet.

Also organizations that claim they can't find Black people simply don't want Black people. Simple as that.

There are over 100 colleges and universities for Black folx in the U.S. If you can't find Black people, it's because you don't want to. Full stop.

I learned this year that diversity, equity, and inclusion is a multi-million dollar industry.

An industry that claims to care about Black and Brown people, but really doesn't, without any lasting systemic change is actually hot mess dot org and structurally violent at best.

This is all to say that I'd like to see organizations that claim to be about ~diversity~ to be read for filth in research and media.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion should not and simply cannot be the hill that we die on.

/end late night thoughts

*picks up mic* and it should be noted that when people from historically marginalized groups do the job of diversity well - like actually bring and cultivate Black talent -we're fired as @RealAbril notes:

https://twitter.com/RealAbril/status/1341135819487100928?s=20

Okay now /end late night thoughts

https://twitter.com/RealAbril/status/1341135819487100928?s=20

Oh! AND Remember how during the summer, a lot non-Black folx bought all those 'how to not be an anti-Black racist' and "reached out" to Black people they vaguely knew because they wanted to feel less guilty but didnt want to call systems into question?

Yikes on triple ikes.

Live look at an institutions that claim they want Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, but in reality they just want more white women and marginalized people who don't challenge systems of exclusion and inequity:

lol so the trolls may or may not find this thread - pray for me, but also don't be surprised when I go private for a bit lol

Beginning in 2021 if you ask me to how to:

- navigate being less racist? I am charging.

- "attract more 'diverse' talent"? I'm charging.

- "fight anti-Black racism"? I'm charging.

#RunMeMyCheck No more free labor. Hell these threads will now include my Venmo @annao1.

The same people who say "we owe everything to Black women" also don't pay Black women what we are owed. Funny how that works. #RunMeMyCheck

ALSO it's not at all lost on me that organizations avoid compensating Black and Brown people for diversity initiatives by using the guise of "well you're our [employee/student/colleague] so this is part of the job description" when really they just don't want hire someone.

I am also really sick of hearing non-Black people and organizations call Black people "brave" for simply talking about our experiences with racism that THEY ASK US TO TALK ABOUT. You're the one who invited me to speak or weigh in.

I'm not brave, I'm Black. Stop doing this.

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