Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and affirmative action have recently become politically charged. At least 11 state legislatures have introduced and/or pending action on anti-DEI legislation, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Also, anti-Dei laws have been signed into law in 10 states.
Opposing DEI simply is “systemic attacks on Black people, especially Black women in positions of power,” says attorney and author Fatimah Gilliam.
Gilliam, founder and CEO of The Azara Group, works with businesses and executives in diversity and inclusion, leadership development, and other strategic services. She recently published her first book, “Race Rules: What Your Black Friend Won’t Tell You” (Berrett-Koehler).
In an MSR phone interview, Gilliam explains that her book serves as a guide to unlearn racism and challenge misconceptions, a how-to guide to deal with daily microaggressions, behaviors, and choices that can offend and harm people.
“Honestly, I think DEI has been a problem for many people for decades,” admitted Gilliam. “I feel like 2023 moving into 2024 has really ramped things up, with a significant domino happening with the Supreme Court affirmative action case [in 2023].”
Gilliam wrote her book in a user-friendly format: among the topics discussed include the most often repeated blunders and mistakes white people make that expose Blacks and people of color to continual racial toxicity and trauma, how racism hurts both white people and people of color, and the key differences between being racist and being prejudiced.
The author stressed that her book isn’t autobiographical but uniquely offers a dialogue on race.
“I started writing my book in August of 2018,” Gilliam recalled, “over five and a half years ago. I was watching the news — a news story of another ‘Karen’ going viral for calling the police for no reason. As I watched that news story, I thought of a couple of different things.
“I thought of the ‘rinse and repeat’ questions that people ask in my personal life and my professional life with my diversity consulting work. I also thought about the things that white people say around me. I had a light bulb dash, ah-ha moment, and I thought white people need a manual.”
Gilliam said she came up with at least 50 rules for her book.
When asked which rule she hoped readers might look at first, she responded, “No. 7, my rule about white welfare. I say that white welfare is the ultimate entitlement program for whites, their financial power and windfall version with white privilege underneath it.
“I think that rule is crucial because it really explains some of the important history as to why we got to where we are today,” continued Gilliam. “That chapter I think is crucial to give people the foundational knowledge and understanding of why we have these differences and this caste system in America today.”
Gilliam continued, “I have a chapter [on] white people’s job is to dismantle racism. We [as Black people] can’t really dismantle the systems that are oppressing us. So, for white people, it’s helpful to help them understand the ways that their choices and behaviors are problematic, and for there is to be advice and a pathway to doing something different.”
“Race Rules” is for everyone, advised the author, who said she didn’t want readers to be put off from such heavy topics as racism. “I package very complex issues into bite-size digestible pieces — charts and summaries, and bullet points and boxes that have things pop out in every chapter.
“I’m trying to meet people where they are and they can use that to navigate in their everyday life, their professional life, their personal life, and their political life,” noted Gillian. “I’m not dancing around issues. Not being diplomatic.
“We need new approaches and strategies, which is why ‘Race Rules’ is a completely different kind of book,” concluded Gilliam.
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