In Crystal Fleming's book How To Be Less Stupid About Race she has a chapter entitled "Listen to Black Women."
The opening sentence says this:
"White (male) supremacy socializes us to devalue the critical insights of Black women and girls."
So, if I'm a White male, which I am, I have a choice.
I can play my part to take this truth seriously. And I can work to reverse it.
I can stand up to White male hegemony. I can disrupt old boys' networks. I can challenge bro culture.
I can speak out when I witness or hear about Black women and girls not being given credit for their insights and intellectual contributions.
I can proactively and intentionally center the perspectives of Black women and girls.
I can challenge my White male colleagues (and anyone else) who regularly dismiss, discourage, and disregard the efforts of Black women and girls.
I can read books and articles written by Black women. I can follow Black women on LinkedIn and Twitter. I can listen to podcasts centering Black women's perspectives.
I can evolve my consciousness and expand my understanding of "normal."
Or, I can shrug off that statement, not reflect on its truth, and continue to not care about the inequitable and oppressive world that I have contributed to.
I know what I'm doing. What about you?