The Mechanisms of White Supremacy in Our Organizations: Understanding to Bring About Change
On June 3rd, Emil Briones and Kira Page led the final workshop of the ninth season of Ateliers/C. This event was based on a tool they co-wrote in 2020 in collaboration with Emily Yee Clare and Philippe Angers-Trottier on White Supremacy Culture in Organizations (also available in French).
This resource draws inspiration from the work of Tema Okun and Kenneth Jones. The intention is to open dialogue, provide a systematic analysis, and create a shared vocabulary to address the power dynamics experienced by People of Colour in Quebec community organizations.
Organizational culture is a set of values, attitudes, and operating practices that characterize an organization and influence the behaviors of its members. In other words, it is what is done—or not done—within our organizations, even if it is not explicitly named or governed by policies. The tool that COCo created shows how this culture is often influenced by systems of oppression that exist in society, particularly the mechanisms of white supremacy.
So, what exactly is white supremacy? At COCo, we use the following definition: “The culture of white supremacy is the notion or ideology that white people and their ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions are superior to People of Colour and their ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions.” This ideology, whether conscious or not, gives rise to a whole range of interpersonal and structural dynamics. Among the dynamics observed in the workplace are, among others, perfectionism, individualism, fear of conflict, paternalism, and so on. This directly affects collective well-being and a sense of belonging, as well as the ability to connect with people from marginalized communities.
The workshop on June 3rd drew 20 participants from the community sector. The session included moments of individual reflection, as well as group exchanges and small-group discussions focusing on elements of white supremacist culture and how they manifest in our organizations. Through Emil and Kira’s facilitation as well as the use of the tool, participants had the opportunity to identify common challenges and collaboratively develop more inclusive solutions and practices. Active participation during the workshop demonstrated the ongoing need for this tool in community organizations. Therefore, we encourage our members to learn more about it so they can identify the needs of their communities.
Here is the tool available for download:
