Before the LinkedIn Feed Returns to its Regularly Scheduled Programme...
Anne Thornley-Brown MBA
Team building Expert | LinkedIn Top Voice | Forbes featured | I help executives manage change, foster innovation, & boost their bottom line 🇨🇦 🇯🇲 Actress 🎬 Writer 📃 ✍🏽
I selected this image not because I have a problem with Black Lives Matter but because it highlights the season we are in...coronavirus...and the extent to which many of us feel we have been silenced.
I know, you've seen a lot of BLACK in your timeline lately. For some, this is the most you've ever seen. Don't worry. Your timelines should be back to normal in just a little while.
Nick F. Nelson
Nick inspired me. What we've seen in our feed this week has been refreshing but Nick has a point.
I fear that a lot of what we have been seeing and hearing in the media this week is just "flavour of the month" and lip service. MAN, I would LOVE to be wrong about this but only time will tell.
As for me, this is not a fad. It's my reality I have been Black ALL of my life.
I was made aware of this starting at age 11 when the exclusion began. Of course, I really did not understand the dynamics at play until 7 years later and it was a devastating discovery.
I have not gone public about racial issues often as to do so in Canada where I am based is a career-limiting move. As a Black woman, to speak up is to risk being branded a troublemaker or, even worse, an "angry Black woman"...the kiss of death for career and business opportunities.
I hope that now that country and corporate leaders are being more vocal about racial discrimination and injustice that this will change. Dare I hope?
With so many people speaking up, including country leaders and CEOs, it is less likely that any one individual will be targeted and punished for speaking the truth.
While I have your attention, I would like to draw your attention to my attempts to weigh in on the conversation. I have never been silent. I have been careful not to raise racial issues very often in business settings.
I have been hesitant for the reasons already stated but I do have a responsibility to do everything within my power to ensure that my son, young cousins, and descendants don't have to fight the same battles I have.
All of that started to change when I had an experience that was so disturbing posted this:
It was a LONG time before I shared it here and I don't believe I ever did it as a full post. If I did, I can find it.
A diagnosis of cancer and major surgery 3 years ago was a wake-up call about my mortality and a reminder me that I have a responsibility to take some risks no matter what the cost and leave a legacy for future generations.
Here are some of my status updates and blog post about racial discrimination.
I hope that you will revisit. them with an open mind.
I've also done series for Black History Month but I can't seem to pull up the posts.
The Aftermath of George Floyd's Murder:
🔥 President Obama Speaks At Town Hall On Policing And Racism 🇺🇸
🔥 Sizzling Hot Topics: A Long & Uncomfortable Pause Heard Around the World Speaks Volumes 🇨🇦
🔥 Sizzling Hot Topics: Meghan Markle Speaks Out about Racism - Riveting!! 🇺🇸
🤝🏻 Sunday Inspiration: Police Officers Joining Protestors in Calling out for Justice 🇺🇸
🤝🏼 Before we leave #blackouttuesday I just wanted to share that I am very proud of our union, ACTRA. 🎬
Blog Posts:
- Plan Your Meetings: The invisible minorities of the meeting and event industry
- How the Miss Universe Pageant Promotes Racial Biases and Beauty Stereotypes
🕳️ Team Building Pitfalls:
👎 Rejecting ideas based on WHO suggests them rather than merit. 👩🏽💼
🛑 Failing to stop bullying, harassment, & discrimination
🔥 Sizzling Hot Topics:
🤢 Sizzling Hot Topics: Why is there a hate-on for people with degrees? 🎓
Hair Discrimination:
🔥 Today's SIZZLING Hot Topic: What's Hair Got to do With it?
This was my first LlinkedIN video and my first Sizzling Hot Topic
🔥 Women and hair...it's not a "fluff" issue. It's a serious barrier to equity in business.
👩🏽💼 Team Building Pitfalls: Racial & Hair Discrimination 👩🏽🦱
👩🏾💼 Kudos to Dove for supporting the Crown Act to end hair discrimination in the workplace. 🇺🇸
☀️ Sunday Inspiration🙏🏿
Meet The Woman Who Reinvented Herself And Expanded Her Brand Into 18 Countries 🇯🇲 🇨🇦
Passed Over for Promotion: Do what is right...not what is politically expedient.
NO job or title is worth stress, heartache, and misery...Do you agree? 🙋🏽♀️
My passion is helping people! I’m here to help make your life more beautiful & find the perfect place to call home. ☀️
4yI appreciate you speaking up and being bold. I’ve been reminded these last few weeks that we need to all stand up for injustices, and love others. Loving is not ignoring. 💗 You are loved, my friend.
There’s always a bull market somewhere in the world
4yAs long as everyone behaves like adults there’s no problem posting, including when anyone finds evidence that something or someone is misrepresenting what’s happening...regardless of their race or journalism credentials.
Certified AI Consultant: Driving 10x Productivity for Leaders with AI and Remote Teams 🤖👩💻
4yTo equality and peace Anne
Investor l Mentor l Founder | Connecting You To People Who Matter Most | 💵 WBENC l Host Go BIG or Go Broke Podcast 🎙
4yAll life matters. Thanks for sharing