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How To Speak Up When It Matters

Harvard Business Review

What makes a thoughtful leader and compassionate colleague is lending your voice to difficult conversations. To do so successfully, you must acknowledge how psychologically challenging, albeit worthwhile, speaking up can be; avoid pushing buttons by showing you’re giving feedback on impact, without making assumptions about intent; and create a plan for how to speak up by identifying in advance the type of situations that occur in roles that may require you to speak up.

Why it matters: Research suggests that most people tend not to say something when ethically questionable situations arise then rationalize their inaction.


How To Use Your White Privilege To Help Black + POC In The Marketing Space

Elise Dopson

Freelance B2B writer Elise Dopson advises people to call out racism in their own networks and at home, as well as educate themselves about the black community. 

To make your marketing more inclusive, Elise suggests using black-or POC-owned businesses for examples in explanations; asking marketers of color to contribute to your content; recommending black and POC speakers for conferences you’re attending; making a conscious effort to refer POC for jobs; using stock photos that show POC and putting pressure on your boss to implement these and similar changes.

Why it matters: Elise admits that, though she’s always thought of herself as a non-racist, the Black Live Matters protests made her realize she’s not doing anywhere near as much as she can to help amplify black voices.


Marketers Are Embracing Black Lives Matter

Marketplace

Many brands, including those who’ve been wary of conflict in polarized times, are embracing anti-racism initiatives in light of protests over the police killing of George Floyd.

Why it matters: Experts say that brands that express solidarity could either run the risk of alienating some “law and order” consumers or appear hungry for PR and/or more sales.


Brands Have Nothing Real To Say About Racism

The Atlantic

Atlantic writer Amanda Mull says that by invoking the Black Lives Matter movement, brands are able to associate themselves “with the zeitgeist in a fast, low-effort way during periods when their typical advertising efforts might need to be paused,” thereby pulling a neat sleight of hand when there’s little else appropriate to say.

Why it matters: Scores of brands have contributed to the recent outpouring of public support against police brutality and racism including Twitter, which, Mull notes, “has been notoriously resistant to years of pleas to remove the accounts of virulent neo-Nazis.”