We all know that lasting change is the accumulation of smaller, micro changes in our daily lives. But when it comes to addressing racism, sexism, classism, ableism, heterosexism, and every other form of “ism” or means of oppression, the idea of focusing on the 1% immediately elicits a response that it is “not enough”. I get it. And, you are right…sort of. 1% changes are not enough in the long term. 1% is not enough to eradicate the disease that is racism or sexism or any other form of oppression. 1% is less than Black people deserve. 1% is less than Indigenous people deserve. 1% is less than Trans folx deserve. 1% is less than people with mental and physical impairments and different abilities deserve.

AND, it is not about just doing the 1% and being done.

Have you heard of the concept of "tone policing" before? Essentially, it is an (often) subconscious tool in which people with privilege dismiss marginalized people by focusing on the tone of how something is said versus what is said. For example, the focus on Black people being "too loud" or "too angry" or "too aggressive" when talking about their experiences of racism and oppression. Or, labeling women as being aggressive, b*tchy or bossy when asserting their needs or directing a conversation in the workplace. Rather than listening to the story or making space to engage with the content, we label the person or tone as a means of dismissing what they are saying.

You ascribe meaning to how something is said to avoid dealing with or addressing what is being said.

There is no quick fix for racism, sexism, or any other “ism”. It is a long haul -- an accumulation of microsteps, establishing trust and collective commitment.

Tone Policing: What is it and why do we do it?

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That Life / AR