White person leading an EDI talk to a room full of black people. How would you feel?

[EDIHelp]

Hello. I know I'm in Black MNers, but thought this was the right place to post my query so hop it's ok that I'm white. I hope you can help me out here. I've name changed as this is very outing.

I'm very new in a job, tiny company, and my boss has asked me to lead on an in-person EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) talk/workshop for 30 mins or so this summer. The issue is I'm the only white person in the whole company and I don't feel this is appropriate or sensitive. I have asked if we can do it together, but she'd rather I took the lead as I have group facilitation skills and experience.

So, if you're black and went to a training session/workshop about EDI lead by a white person, how would you feel? Or has this happened to you before? Any thoughts appreciated. Thank you.

EDI is about all protected characteristics under the equality act, so stick to that.

Presumably you are not planning the lecture a group of black people about how awful racism is. As long as you don’t do that, you’ll be fine.

Stick to the legal obligations as service providers/ employees etc and you’ll be fine.

What aspect of EDI are you talking about?
There are many subjects to talk about under that particular label
context is very important, is it something you have particular interest/ knowledge/experience of or is it a generic presentation
I mean I’m a disabled, female experiencing motherhood, perimenopause and have caring responsibilities for my mother who has Alzheimer’s so tick quite a few boxes and have presented on all these topics professionally as well as mental health but I wouldn’t give an EDI talk on racism or sexuality to my profession.
As a general facilitator you may be well suited to give the talk but I would acknowledge your shortcomings upfront to the group and you may need to make sure you defer to the floor for practical / lived experience

So you were specifically asked by a black person/people to lead the EDI talk - with a wholly black audience - but you're doubting that they know their own mind and feelings?

I'm sure they knew that you were white when they chose you to do it?

Having said that my DH was heading up a women in business group

This definitely comes under the definition of mansplaining.

EDI is not all about race but if a white woman was asked to run the course in a majority not white company, I would no longer have respect for that management team. It would signal to me that this is a box ticking exercise.

Even if you were asked by a Black person it doesn't make it right. Having the same skin colour does not automatically mean that someone has your back. You only have to look at that dreadful statue in Times Square to see that.

What if that white woman was from a travelling background?
The issue with race, it's not as simple as black vs white. Everyone has a race, everyone can be racist and everyone can experience racism.

Whataboutery, I have missed you.

Answer the question. It's racist to assume beliefs and experiences based on someone's skin colour.
You say you would have an issue with a white woman talking about EDI, you simply don't know someone ethnic background from simply looking at them.
Travellers have the worst life outcomes of any ethnic group in the UK, they experience racism on a regular basis, systemically, and casually.

You have come on to Black Mmumsnet to tell me how lucky Black women are to not have it as bad as travellers?

Maybe you could talk about white fragility. The anxiety you felt about talking about racism whilst realising it isn’t up to black people to educate you, it’s up to you to get more informed?

If the white person is legit the ONLY person who can deliver then it is what it is BUT I think it’s more appropriate coming from someone of colour. Same if a male delivers a menopause course to a load of women, full abled person delivered course to a room of disabled people etc it just doesn’t quite hit right.

I know personally that I (female) would not receive a course on women in business, glass ceiling etc if the course was delivered by a male vs a female - however if maybe they addressed the elephant in the room at the beginning of the course and explained why then I might be more receptive.

Now where did I say that?

If it looks like a duck and quack like a duck.

Do you really think Black Travellers and White Travellers have the same experience?

Yeah i think you're confusing someone that goes on holiday with an ethnic group.

You seemed to be confused about many things...

You’re female. Sex is a protected characteristic.

Women face different barriers in work than men do.

I would not have an issue with it. Contrary to what the MAGA crowd (and their supporters) think, EDI is not about blackness, or even black and white. Equity, Diversity and Inclusiveness which covers so many different groups.

It’s about ensuring we are pulling from all sections of society.

But a singular white woman is not pulling from all sections of society. A singular white woman is ' does ED'I in my opinion. A white woman on a panel of women of different ethnicities and abilities is more likely to be what I would expect if a company is pulling from all sections of society.

I know some capable Black women who have been asked by their companies to do what the OP was asked to do. In almost every case they stepped down due to the company just only being interested in ticking boxes.

I didn’t say she was pulling from all parts of society. I said that’s what EDI is about. It’s as much about faith, sex, sexuality etc as it is about race. So the fact she is a white woman running training on EDI would not phase me in the slightest.

Came along to say the same.

It’s about ensuring we are pulling from all sections of society.

The context here is that this will be to a room full of Black people.

I don't believe I know an ethnic person in real life that would be ok with that. I would go as far to say that for most of us it would be pretty triggering.

The Op should be involved but she should be one of a number of people.

Representation matters.

Nice. I note the nice subtle attempt to suggest I am in digital blackface but your circle is not me and mine (and for the love of god EVERYBODY has an ethnicity).

OP asked for views. I gave her mine. I would not have an issue and I certainly would not be “triggered”. Nor would anybody “ethnic” I know.

If she was giving a training on race equality I may have an issue. But on equity, diversity and inclusiveness which encompasses many things it would not bother me in the slightest.

But we don’t have to agree do we.

The bigger issue for me is OP has clearly admitted she knows nothing about the topic. She should be disqualified from training for that reason alone.

I think if you position yourself as a facilitating a conversation rather than trying explain things that may help with positioning.

If I thought you were using digital Blackface I would have no hesitation in saying it.

We don't have to agree nor does anyone have to make stuff up.