Inclusion, Equity, Antiracism, and Reparations Commitment and Action

I want to talk about something I’m passionate about and committed to, for life — inclusion, equity, and antiracism.

If you’re excited about supporting a more just world too, that’s who I am interested in supporting.

Here are some things you might want to know about my commitments:

1. Inclusion and Lifelong Learner Commitment
2. Equity, Antiracism, and Reparations Commitment

---

1. Inclusion and Lifelong Learner Commitment

For starters, I’m committed to honoring all races, religions, sexual orientations, gender identities, cultural or class backgrounds, body sizes, and abilities.

It’s also true that I am best able to coach women, so that’s who I focus on. I also welcome non-binary and trans people who are drawn to my work. I can’t help everyone, and I want the best for everyone.

For many years I have worked on building my cultural humility, my understanding of racism and antiracism, and unlearning white blindness and fragility. I pay for training and consulting on this, on a regular basis. I’m immersed in challenging all of the power/privilege structures that hold back genuine freedom for all. I’m continually learning how intersectionality is always at play even when I can’t see it.

Most of all, I know it’s a lifelong learning process, and that I will mess up. Hence my love of the “cultural humility” goal, where I know it’s about staying open, and apologizing when I get it wrong. I welcome you sharing your perspective with me.

Social and racial justice issues are near and dear to my heart, and it’s personal. I want all voices to be heard, and part of my role is to help amplify the less heard voices — such as introverts, BIPOC, women, workers who aren’t getting a fair shake.

I believe the well-being of all depends on listening and including those who have been disregarded. It’s not about charity, it’s about solidarity. Your freedom is bound up with mine.

2. Equity, Antiracism, and Reparations Commitment

I’m determined to work towards a more just and equitable world. For me, being antiracist is an integral part of that effort. While I know there’s more ways to address equity, I focus on antiracism and reparations because racism has been a tool for entrenching inequities that effect everyone.

I mainly list all the following to remind myself and to share openly for those who might be wondering.

I commit to the following
…not as charity but as a step towards Equity, Antiracism, and/or Reparations:

1. Ongoing education for myself so I can see and correct bias and inequities in my business and my community.
2. Staying open to feedback about my oversights and biases.
3. Apologizing and repairing when I’ve made a mistake.
4. Only working with clients who care about the Greater Good. Money does not come first, for me, or them.
5. Devoting time to dismantling power imbalances in my local community.
6. Speaking up and calling in, where I have influence, but not wasting energy on useless arguments.
7. Supporting grassroots led organizations who are creating positive change, such as Pioneer Valley Workers Center.
8. Supporting voting rights efforts.
9. Making my courses (which include group support) available for low cost or no cost.
10. Stretching into my discomfort zone on all of it, while also making sure I maintain energy to keep going in the long run.
11. Focusing my work where I’m best able to help, and referring to others when it’s not my strength zone.

This is a work in progress.

I welcome hearing from you about any of this. Feedback is always welcome: via my contact form or the anonymous feedback form here.

Learn more about me and my work:

• • About Val
  • About my services
  • My articles about Greater Good and Community