The police shootings in America and terrorist attack in France might seem like another way the world is being stripped of its humanity, but it's also a call for us to address prejudice in both our business and social worlds.
by Neal Goodman
January 8, 2015
The attack that killed 12 at the headquarters for Charlie Hebdo wasn't the first attack on the French satirical magazine. In 2011, terrorists attacked the offices with a firebomb attack. (Photo from the attack by Pierre-Yves Beaudouin, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.)
It sometimes appears that society is being pulled apart at the seams. We have all witnessed the chokehold that led to the death of a black man whose crime was selling cigarettes and the murder of French journalists for practicing their liberties.
In no uncertain terms, both the underlying racism — conscious or not — behind the killing of black males by police and the need to protect the liberty and freedom of journalists to do their jobs must be addressed. We must be vigilant about addressing these issues.
We also must be very careful not to vilify all police or all Muslims. To do so would be to play right into the hands of racists and religious extremists. Those of us in the diversity and inclusion field owe it to our communities — business and social — to have the courage to discuss these issues and provide the clear guidance that is needed.
To remain quiet is to allow others to fill the void that can be very dangerous for us all.
