A Learning Framework by Sally Loftis
A framework that I have been using with colleagues is Learn Up, Show Up, and Act Up. First, we must Learn Up or build knowledge and awareness about our blind spots. The resources for this part of the work are endless. You can access books, podcasts, documentaries, television shows, videos and so much more. Accessing your family history can open your eyes to new perspectives of your own ancestry. Learning is a continuous process. We learn something, practice, fail, and come back for more learning.
Knowledge leads us to Show Up differently in spaces. If we are listening, the knowledge and awareness of lived experiences will enter us and change us. That’s the power of finding resonance with humanity. We notice different dynamics in our relationships and teams, such as power structures, positions of privilege, and dominant decision-making processes. Offering a land acknowledgement before every meeting sends a message of connection and respect to Native peoples. Reflective listening practices become especially important. Following the lead of non-dominant groups changes how we gather and work together.
Integrated knowledge and changed relationships build a collective of humanity to Act Up. The systems of injustice reach far and wide. Systems within organizations include marketing, internal communication, facilities, vendor management, human resources, technology, archives, financial practices, and customer relationship management. Those are just the big buckets of work at the surface. Deeper levels of system change happen in our leadership definitions, use of autonomy & flexibility, compensation philosophies, decision-making processes, and communication practices. Each of us individually can act up at the system level. Teams, organizations, communities, and social groups can act up together to change the systems of injustice that surround us.
Each of us will also Trip Up in this work. Not many people enjoy making mistakes, much less making them over and over again. However, we need to get comfortable with eating humble pie in this work. My favorite poet Nikki Giovanni once said, “Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts.” We aim to reduce the amount of harm caused by our actions. Knowing that we will not do this work perfectly and blazing into a situation with no preparation are different things. Planning and reflection are two key tools in preparing for any work. Plus, listening is crucial in this racial awakening. We need to slow down and listen. A lot.
Read a blog post about this framework.