![]() This sociological study of the West Indian community of Brixton in the 1960s explains how that community became almost unthinkingly defined as part of a postwar “colour problem”. Today it is more a historical source than a book to read cover to cover. For four decades, Staying Power has been the key access point to a history that most of us knew little about before we opened its pages.ĭark Strangers: A Study of West Indians in London by Sheila Patterson The account ranges from the African soldiers who manned the Roman Wall all the way up to the embattled communities of the 1980s. The work of a British journalist who had been at Tilbury docks in June 1948 to report on the arrival of the HMT Windrush, it came with a huge appendix packed with vital documents and a thorough index. Published in 1984, in the aftermath of the early 80s riots, this huge brick of a paperback changed everything. Readily and cheaply available, it was always a book you could find on the shelves of your local bookstore rather than in the university library. The two are inseparable.Staying Power: The History of Black People in Britain by Peter FryerĪlthough not the first big, sweeping history of the Black presence in Britain, Staying Power was the one that really made an impact. To truly step into another person’s perspective will help you be a better leader and a better human being. I suggest you start with one authentic conversation. There are many books to read and many lists that you can find, about what to do. In truth, I am still reflecting from our podcast interview. This is far from a comprehensive take on this issue. As long as there is inequality there will be no peace. Albert Einstein famously said “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Unless we change our minds and hearts, one person at a time and take action, the institution of racism will have prevailed. Each person will need to find their own inspiration, outrage, sadness or any other emotion that moves them to create an authentic action. As Vernice eloquently shares, there is no recipe for the right action. Our job is to dig deep to understand the values important to us and connect them with the needs of the moment. I also connected with my privilege that this is something that I don’t have to worry about. ![]() That was painful.” As a mother, I connected with the pain and burden of what it would be like to worry about your child, to prepare yourself for that moment you hear of their death. What would I do? I went through that for both of my children, like over and over and over and over again. They can be mouthy teenagers she said: “You don't have the luxury to be stupid and mouthy cause you could get killed.” She shared her experience of talking with other African American moms: “I haven't talked to any mothers who haven't had this experience of imagining people telling me that my child was just killed. Vernice shared about her fear for her two sons. Empathy is about feeling the pain of another person. Plan to learn something new.Ĭonnect to the emotional experience of another person. Choose to see them as heroes of their stories. While you can’t plan the conversation, plan to come away with a deeper appreciation of them as individuals who are trying their best. Stretch to make sense of how this person’s experiences have shaped their mindset. ![]() In this case, proactively choose to shift your mindset to finding the hero in the other person. In my book Wired for Disruption, one of the most important accelerators of our agility is the ability to listen deeply to see the world from another person’s perspective. We are close friends and both respect and care for each other. ![]() In my conversation with Vernice it was easy to find the hero in her. Be ready to listen and find the hero in the other person. ![]()
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