Discrimination or Standard Operating Procedure

Most of the HCPI blog postings have focused on tools to help build people's awareness of career resources. However, being aware of one's interests, strengths and aptitudes is clearly not enough to achieve "career success." All too often, other factors stand in our way. One of the most perverse barriers is that of racism. Pitt's Lu-in Wang has recently published, "Discrimination by Default: How Racism Becomes Routine." This book explores people's subtle, discriminatory behaviors. Here's a good post-gazette teaser about the book. This is such an important topic, but many people are afraid to engage in the conversation. Another great read on the topic: "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack." (Thanks to one of my students for making me aware of this article!) In this article, Peggy McIntosh identifies the daily effects of white privilege. For example, one can arrange to be in the company of people of his/her own race most of the time, one can avoid spending time with people he/she has been trained to mistrust, one can be pretty sure of renting or owning a home in an affordable area, one can go shopping without being followed or harassed. The list is long and disturbing but sometimes discomfort leads to the most important conversations.