Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture
Tema Okun, in her work on dismantling racism, has identified characteristics of white supremacy culture that can manifest in organizations. It's important to note that these characteristics are not inherent to individuals but rather describe systemic tendencies that perpetuate unequal power dynamics. Some of these characteristics include:
Perfectionism:
The belief that mistakes are unacceptable and the need to maintain high standards at all times, which can stifle creativity and innovation.
Sense of Urgency:
The emphasis on urgency, often at the expense of thoughtful and inclusive decision-making, which can create a stressful work environment.
Defensiveness:
A tendency to react defensively when confronted with challenges to the status quo, hindering open dialogue and learning.
Quantity over Quality:
Prioritizing quantity of work over its quality, which may undermine thoroughness and attention to detail.
Worship of the Written Word:
Valuing written communication over other forms, potentially marginalizing those who excel in different communication styles.
Only One Right Way:
The belief that there is only one correct way to do things, limiting flexibility and inclusivity in problem-solving approaches.
Paternalism:
The assumption that those in positions of power know what is best for others, reinforcing hierarchical structures.
Either/Or Thinking:
Seeing situations in binary terms, without acknowledging nuance, which can limit creative solutions and understanding.
Power Hoarding:
The tendency to concentrate power within certain groups, excluding others and perpetuating unequal distribution of resources.
Fear of Open Conflict:
Avoiding open conflict at all costs, which can stifle necessary conversations about systemic issues.
Individualism:
Promoting individual accomplishments over collective efforts, undermining collaboration and shared responsibility.
Progress is Bigger, More:
Equating progress with growth in size or quantity, disregarding the importance of sustainable and meaningful change.
Objectivity:
The belief in the possibility of complete objectivity, often leading to the dismissal of subjective experiences and perspectives.
These characteristics can contribute to the perpetuation of white supremacy culture within organizations, hindering efforts to foster inclusive and equitable environments. Recognizing and challenging these tendencies is a crucial step in dismantling systemic racism and fostering organizational cultures that promote justice and equality.
Tema Okun is known for her work in the field of racial justice and anti-racism. She is particularly recognized for co-authoring the essay "White Supremacy Culture" along with Kenneth Jones. This essay explores the characteristics of white supremacy culture that can be prevalent in organizational settings and hinders efforts to create more equitable and inclusive environments.
Tema Okun has been an advocate for dismantling systemic racism and has provided workshops and resources to organizations seeking to address issues related to racial equity. Her work has been influential in encouraging dialogue and action around the impact of white supremacy culture on institutional practices.
“I have spent over 35 years working with and for organizations, schools, and community-based institutions as a trainer, facilitator, teacher, and mentor focused on issues of racial justice and equity. I got my start at Grassroots Leadership with a strong team including James Williams, Cathy Howell, and Kamau Marcharia. For 12 years I worked with the late and beloved Kenneth Jones at ChangeWork and then for another decade with Michelle Johnson and many brilliant colleagues at Dismantling Racism Works. I recently completed 6 years of co-leading the Teaching for Equity Fellows Program at Duke University, which works with faculty seeking to develop stronger skills both teaching about race and racism and across lines of race, class, and gender. I was a member of the Educational Leadership faculty at National Louis University in Chicago and have taught undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level students in educational leadership and education. I am the author of the award-winning The Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching About Race and Racism to People Who Don’t Want to Know (2010, IAP) and the widely used article White Supremacy Culture, available through a website: www.whitesupremacyculture.info. I continue to offer workshops and talks about race, racism, and white supremacy.
I am a proud and active member of Jewish Voice for Peace and serve on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. I am a member of the Bhumisphara Sangha under the leadership of Lama Rod Owens. I am an artist, a poet, and a writer. I live in Carrboro NC where I am fortunate to reside among beloved community. My current project is deepening my ability to love my neighbor as myself. I am finding the instruction easy and the follow through challenging, given how we live in a culture that is afraid to help us do either or both.”