In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, I interview Rosalyn Taylor O'Neill, a highly regarded diversity and inclusion thought leader. Rosalyn shares her experiences as the former Chief Diversity Officer at Campbell's Soup Company and Executive VP of Diversity Initiatives for MTV Network. She has received numerous accolades and awards for her work, including being named one of the top 100 most influential Blacks in corporate America and one of the top executives in diversity, and one of most influential LGBTQ people that year. With 47 years of experience, and never backing down, no matter who challenged her, Rosalyn has a lot to say and share. You want to hear this conversation on race.
In this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion pioneer Rosalyn Taylor O'Neale emphasizes the importance of learning how to discuss race and navigate through discomfort in order to address racial disparities in every area.
Rosalyn acknowledges that talking about race can be uncomfortable and may cause anxiety, as people may fear making mistakes or offending others, but they are necessary in order to learn and grow.
One example is the significance of discussing race with healthcare professionals. Rosalyn explains that if a doctor is not comfortable talking about race, it can create issues for patients, particularly those from racial minority groups. She mentions that rashes may appear differently on the skin of different races. Therefore, it is crucial for doctors to be aware of these differences and for patients to be able to communicate their specific needs and concerns related to race.
Rosalyn highlights the importance of discussing race in society as a whole if we want to survive. She says that in her town, seeing a Black person is still a rarity, indicating the lack of racial diversity. This lack of exposure and understanding can perpetuate stereotypes and biases. By engaging in conversations about race, individuals can challenge these stereotypes and learn from one another's experiences.
She emphasizes that it is not enough to simply listen and sympathize with someone's experiences. You must take action and support them in practical ways if you are anti-racist. Merely expressing sympathy or feeling bad for someone does not bring about any real change or alleviate their situation.
Rosalyn shares personal examples. She often felt left out in her mostly all white school, and when she was having a hard time solving a problem, no one would offer to help. However, they always helped each other and acted like they didn’t see her.
If you want to be an ally in action and not just words, then ask someone directly what they need and take steps to fulfill those needs.
Simma, mentioned a friend who noticed an older Asian woman in their building who rarely went out due to fear of attacks during the pandemic. Instead of just expressing concern, the friend offered to accompany her to the grocery store, providing practical support and reassurance.
There is power in collective action. Walking together with someone can make them feel safer and more empowered. By offering to accompany someone who feels unsafe, we can show solidarity and create a stronger sense of support. It is not enough to simply acknowledge someone's experiences; we must actively work to mitigate the situation and make them feel supported.
Time stamps:
[00:02:41] Fearlessness and Belonging.
[00:04:25] Diversity in organizations.
[00:10:52] Learning about different cultures.
[00:15:08] Learning through discomfort.
[00:16:31] Loudness and race awareness.
[00:22:18] Overcoming stereotypes and assumptions.
[00:25:06] Being black in America.
[00:29:58] Asian hate and race discussion.
[00:34:07] Blacks and Jews misunderstanding.
[00:37:32] Asking questions and seeking understanding.
[00:41:25] Slavery and acquired skills.
[00:46:23] Living in a diverse world.
[00:49:08] Empathy and creating understanding.
[00:54:46] Empathy and taking action.
[00:57:55] What are you listening to these days?
[01:02:22] TV shows and cultural diversity.
[01:04:36] Ways to relax and distress.
Guest Bio
Rosalyn Taylor O'Neale is a highly regarded diversity and inclusion thought leader, celebrated for her transformative impact on organizations worldwide. With extensive experience, including her roles as Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Campbell Soup Company, and Executive Vice President of Diversity Initiatives for MTV Network, Rosalyn has facilitated courageous conversations on biases, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, privilege, and gender identity. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, such as being named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America, Top Executives in Diversity, 100 Top Executives in America, and 100 Most Influential LGBT People of the Year.
Host Bio
Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker and facilitator and the host of the podcast, “Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People.”
Contact Simma@SimmaLieberman.com
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
Connect with me:
Previous Episodes
Breaking the Chains: Fighting Caste Oppression with Thenmozhi Soundararajan Breaking Barriers: John Blake on Racial Reconciliation Why We Must Bridge Divides: A Conversation on Inclusive Leadership with Sally Helgesen & Mercedes MartinLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating
"HBCUs do more with less." All month long theGrio is highlighting HBCU life, and Michael Harriot welcomes Ed Smith-Lewis from United Negro College Fund to discuss an exciting new investment that will enrich the college experience for students nationwide. The HBCU Transformation Project has received a $124M investment from Blue Meridian Partners to increase enrollment, improve efficiency, and restore struggling infrastructure. The pair discuss the value of focusing on HBCU campus needs just as much as student scholarships.
"We were incorporated into a white-controlled society." The legal case Brown v. Board of Education is considered a pivotal moment in integrating white and Black America. Michael Harriot is here to tell you we're still not integrated.
"We gotta go take back stuff that white people have taken from us because that's what they do." Michael Harriot looks at the hypocrisy surrounding the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action that claims to rid race-based admissions policies but keeps legacy and athletic favoritism that benefit white students. Anytime Black people advanced in America, it's because they demanded it; maybe that time is here yet again.
"If most of America were against slavery, then we would have ended the practice without a war." Every civilized society has had some form of slavery, but America is the only nation in modern history that constitutionally approved reducing people to chattel through an international human trafficking system. As Michael Harriot breaks down the history of America's race-based slavery system, he analyzes Africans' role in the process.
"We can't be surprised when a racist does something racist in a racist country." Michael Harriot and fellow podcast host Dr. Christina Greer discuss the deadly shooting in Jacksonville, Florida that killed three Black people. Dr. Greer has strong ties to the area and describes the racist history that her family experienced firsthand. The pair also analyze Florida's recent anti-Black policies that fuel hate and miseducation and call out the politicians who refuse to acknowledge that America has a race problem.
Credit:
CNN
Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
"The N-word is a specific choice that is used to hurt somebody; it is the knife." Michael Harriot explains why there is no version of the "N-word" for white people. Despite some arguing that "Karen" or "cracker" is equally insulting, the words can't compare because white people have not been subject to the same disenfranchisement and inhumanity that Black Americans have.
"There is no form of American music that Black people didn't create." This episode is going to make you laugh and dance all at the same time. Michael Harriot breaks down the top ten Black people music categories, including "old people music," "fight song music," and more.
Credits:
“Turn It Up”
Rare Essence and Dj Kool
INgrooves, Rare One Records
Rob “R.J.” Folson and Rare Essence
“Congo Drum”
The Huck a Bucks
INgrooves, Sound By Charlie
Roy Battle, Joseph Timms, Ricky Yancy
“Burgers and Fries”
Charley Pride
RCA Records, Sony Music Entertainment
Ben Peters, Jerry Bradley, Charley Pride
“Sweet Hour of Prayer”
Mahalia Jackson
Sony Music Entertainment, Columbia Records
Irving Townsend, William Bradbury, W. W. Walford
“The Entertainer”
Scott Joplin
John Stark & Son
“Knuck If You Buck”
Crime Mob
Crunk Incorporated, Reprise, Warner Records
Lil jay
“Stagger Lee”
Lloyd Price
Victor, RCA Records
Ray Lopez, Don Costa
“Meeting In my Bedroom”
Silk
Elektra Records
Darrell Allamby
"I Wanna Rock"
Uncle Luke
Luke Records, Atlantic Records, Lil Joe Records
Mike “Fresh” McCray
“Freak It”
Lathum
So So Def Recordings, Columbia Records, Sony Music Entertainment
Lil Jon, Paul Lewis
“Good Riddance”
Green Day
Warner Music Group, Reprise Records
Rob Cavallo, Green Day
“Cult of Personality”
Living Colour
Cleopatra Records, Epic Records, CBS Records, Sony Music Entertainment
Ed Stasium
“Strokin”
Clarence Carter
Colossal Records, The Orchard Music
Clarence Carter
"I Need To Know"
Youngboy Never Broke Again
Never Broke Again, Motown Records, Universal Music Group
BJondatrakk, We Love Heavy & D-Roc
"Before I Let Go"
Frankie Beverly And Maze
Capitol Records
Frankie Beverly
"Back That Thang Up"
Juvenile, Lil Wayne, Mannie Fresh
Cash Money Records, Universal Records
Mannie Fresh
“We Fall Down”
Donnie McClurkin
Verity Records
Donnie McClurkin
Drumroll sound effect from Pixabay
Additional music and sound effects by Transition Music
"We didn't invent race, so I don't know where we got the card from." Michael Harriot dives deep into some widely-held beliefs that white people have about race and identity. Michael Harriot addresses white concepts like race-baiting, playing the "race card," Black people playing the "victim," and more.
In this conversation on Race, Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, and Chad Lassiter, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Council, engage in a deep personal conversation about self-reflection and awareness of privileges, stereotypes, and behaviors. Chad shares his own daily process to engage in self-reflection on race, and his role in bringing people to the common table to challenge stereotypes that perpetuate inequality and discrimination.
With school boards and politicians, not only eliminating African-American history and any discussion of racial discrimination under the guise of making white children feel uncomfortable, we need to find ways to flip the script and empower all children, including white children, to be agents of change. While acknowledging concerns about discomfort, Chad Lassiter says that we can help children see that they have the power to contribute to a more just and equal society. By engaging in these conversations, children can recognize each other's humanity and understand their role in promoting peace and justice.
The key moments in this episode are:
[02:26] Conversations around racism and division.
[06:37] First experience with racism.
[09:12] Police brutality and activism.
[12:06] Generational trauma and racial identity.
[17:04] Dismantling systemic and structural racism.
[21:11] Building solidarity through activism.
[26:49] Wealth and taking care of the poor.
[28:00] Employment discrimination based on appearance.
[33:19] The importance of conversation.
[36:13] The trigger for white rage.
[40:03] Talking about race in schools.
[45:55] The Woman King and toxic masculinity.
[48:37] Social change agents and justice warriors.
Chad references the work of Paul Kivel, who emphasizes the necessity of difficult conversations about racism to uproot it.
This episode of Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People needs to be heard by anyone who wants to empower people of all ages to eliminate racism and other forms of inequality.
With so much foolishness about not even mentioning cultural/racial differences and pretending everyone is the same while erasing non-white people, it’s essential that we share and talk about our identities, and culture. This is how we can find common ground and learn and grow together. Chad says these conversations will help us all find a balance between preserving individuality and being open to connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. No one is just one identity, and it would be very boring to pretend otherwise.
We talk about Chad’s experience of growing up in an all-black community and how his perspective initially remained narrow due to his limited exposure. However, from interacting with individuals from different cultures and backgrounds, his viewpoint expanded, and he discovered shared experiences. This highlights the idea that engaging with diverse perspectives broadens understanding and fosters connections.
Simma and Chad talk about the concept of cultural pride reinforcement, particularly within the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. Cultural pride does not entail valuing one culture over another but rather celebrating and affirming the importance of one's own culture while also respecting and acknowledging the significance of other cultures. This supports the notion that maintaining one's identity and culture does not necessitate rejecting or disregarding others.
Listen in as we touch on the significance of having conversations about race, racism, and other issues that some may see as divisive.
While recognizing the importance of addressing these topics, we also need to incorporate discussions around peace, justice, truth, love, and kindness. That's how a more inclusive and compassionate society can be created. Without that, we'll be even more divided racially and in every other way
Overall, the episode underscores the importance of maintaining one's identity and culture while also seeking common ground with others. It highlights the value of expanding perspectives, celebrating cultural pride, and engaging in conversations that foster understanding, peace, and justice.
Guest Bio
Chad Dion Lassiter is a national expert in the field of American Race Relations. Mr. Lassiter has worked on race, peace, and poverty-related issues in the United States of America, Africa, Canada, Haiti, Israel, and Norway, and is called upon frequently by media outlets to provide commentary on race relations and potential solutions.
He is the current executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, where he has legislatively delegated authority to investigate complaints filed alleging unlawful discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and commercial property, education and/or public accommodations. During his capacity in this position, he has developed and launched a ‘No Hate in Our State Townhall’ to address the surge of White nationalism in Pennsylvania, a ‘Social Justice Lecture Series’ providing an outlet for the communities in the state to discuss imperative issues and serves as a Racial Reduction Response team for those communities impacted by hatred. He oversees a staff of 84 with three regional offices that comprise the 67 counties in Pennsylvania and manages an annual budget of $12 million. He has also developed programs under his appointment, such as a ‘Global Social Justice Initiative’, ‘Black and Jewish Beloved Community Dialogue’, and the ‘College Race Dialogue Initiative.’
Host Bio
Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker and facilitator and the host of the podcast, “Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People.”
Contact Simma@SimmaLieberman.com
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
Connect with me:
Previous Episodes
Breaking the Chains: Fighting Caste Oppression with Thenmozhi Soundararajan Breaking Barriers: John Blake on Racial Reconciliation Why We Must Bridge Divides: A Conversation on Inclusive Leadership with Sally Helgesen & Mercedes MartinLoved this episode? Leave us a review and rating
"The party makeup in America has always been about race." Michael Harriot explores the demographic makeup of America's most prominent political parties and explains what would have to happen for there to be a political party that fights for all the things Black people want.
"Most of the violence that has been committed on this continent has been committed by white people." We've all seen the Montgomery Melee, the Alabama Beatdown, or the Bama Brawl at that riverfront in Montgomery, Alabama. It was a sight to see, but there is more to it than you think. Michael Harriot is here to tell you the historical significance of that beatdown.