Video of Competency #8
Written version of Competency #8
Welcome to Leading-Within Wednesdays. Every other Wednesday, I will share a little bit about one of the 10 competencies introduced in the book, Leading Wihin Systems of Inequity in Education: A Liberation Guide for Leaders of Color.
Today….
Be Patient but Persistent.
I think when you hear “persistent” it’s pretty clear. Don’t give up. Stay on mission.
However, I want to take a minute to unpack the “patient” part of this competency because in the hands of white dominant culture when they tell us leaders of the global majority to be “patient” it means, you are making us uncomfortable and asking us to give up too much- slow down.
Unfortunately, last week’s SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action in college admissions was a prime example of being patient but persistent. There has been a methodical persistence to get rid of this practice since it became a practice of colleges in the late 1960s.
So as leaders of the global majority patience means that we don’t get distracted, keep the main thing the main thing, and push for policy change over anything.
Some reflections questions to help you think about this competency:
When have you embraced patience for the comfort of others?
Which policies are you methodically working on to change?
More explanation of this competency, how to practice it, and additional reflection questions and resources are in Chapter 7 of the book.
In closing…
If you started reading the book, here are a few ways you can spread the word:
Post about the book on social media using the hashtag #leadingwithin. Even better if it includes a picture of you WITH the book!
Host a book club with your affinity/ERG group. Two study guides are also available on the ASCD website - one for leaders of color and one for white co-conspirators that are perfect to start a group conversation. For book clubs with participants who have purchased and committed to reading the book, please reach out to me so I can support your journey!
Connect with me to speak to your organization or group about topics covered in the book, like ‘practicing love and rage’, ‘building a coalition’, and ‘taking a stand’.
Go to Amazon and rate or review the book there! Reviews are a great way for others to see that this book is worth the time to read.
Thank YOU so much for all of your support!
See you next time when I give a brief preview of Competency #9: Take a Stand.
If this is your first time reading, please go back and read my Introductions post.
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know what you think. If you like it, please share it with your network!