Redistributing the Emotional Labor

So much of inclusion, equity, and belonging work is about redistributing the emotional labor. 

Far too often people from marginalized and underrepresented groups take on most, if not all, of the emotional labor of educating others, righting wrongs, correcting inaccuracies, and pointing out offensive language and actions. 

For there to be change, people from dominant groups need to step up and take on more of this emotional labor. 

Dominant group members need to work to remove that burden. 

They need to educate themselves on the lived experience of others. They need to read. And listen. Be humble. And courageous. 

They need to get over their fragility and privilege. They need to step out of their comfort zone. 

And they need to act. 

White people need to relieve the emotional labor of Black people. 

Straight people need to relieve the emotional labor of gay people. 

Cis people need to relieve the emotional labor of trans people. 

Etc.

If you are a member of one or more dominant groups, what are you doing to be a true ally, advocate, or accomplice? 

How are you challenging the status quo? Disrupting the norm? 

How are you driving impact and affecting change? 

Are you doing your part to redistribute the emotional labor?