University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
How to Talk to Your Boss About Race
Book

How to Talk to Your Boss About Race

Speaking Up Without Getting Shut Down

Y-Vonne Hutchinson
Portfolio, 2022
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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Hot Topic
  • Engaging

Recommendation

This direct, actionable and refreshingly humorous look at the serious topic of contemporary racism serves as a potent reminder that the problem persists, even if subtler forms of discrimination have supplanted more egregious ones in some cases. As an accomplished lawyer and CEO who has endured racism since her youth, Y-Vonne Hutchinson’s best-selling handbook focuses mainly on combating its scourge in the workplace through skillful conversations – followed by concrete actions. She shows workers how to be more assertive in the face of discrimination and speak persuasively with conviction and courage. 

Summary

Systemic racism still pervades all aspects of society, including the workplace.

The murder of George Floyd by a police officer shook many Americans from their slumber surrounding racism, and spawned the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. But, in response to movements and cultural shifts, a backlash emerged, which COVID-19 exacerbated. Many racially-motivated killings and attacks have followed. Politicians, school boards, municipalities and learning institutions have attacked or banned educators from teaching critical race theory or referring to systemic racism.

Of course, treating people differently based solely on the allotment of melanin in their skin makes no sense, yet racial enmity and discrimination have persisted for centuries. Racism was invented to exclude and enslave. Systems have historically codified and sustained racism. Thus, whatever your race, your upbringing etched racism and related biases into your psyche.

Even though science proves average potential is identical across all races; opportunity comes unevenly. The social construct of race may seem absurd to you. You might even want to deny race because it has no ...

About the Author

Former international labor lawyer Y-Vonne Hutchinson founded and leads ReadySet, a DEI consulting and training firm.

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