Shame, Race, and why you won’t read this one.

“It is not more uncomfortable to talk about race than to experience racism.” — Erin Baugher

After years of facilitating conversations about equity, culture, and leadership across the globe, I’ve come to believe this: the hardest part of racial justice work isn’t the data—it’s the shame. 

The numbers are clear. Race continues to predict who gets punished, who gets opportunity, and who is seen as “promising” or “problematic.” Yet, the moment we name race, something happens in the room. Breathing shifts. Eyes drop. Defensiveness rises. The body knows before the mind admits: we are entering the territory of shame.  (Read more…)