There is a “Catch 22” when it comes to Critical Race Theory. Explaining what it is not is complicated by how hard it is to describe what it is. The “mysterious” nature of CRT, the difficulty of understanding it, especially when removed from the context in which it was created, is the very thing makes … Continue reading Critical Race Theory, Part 2
Category: Organization Development
Have You Heard of Critical Race Theory?
Thanks to a class in Critical Theory that was offered as part of my doctoral training in Organization Development (shout out to Stephen Brookfield!), I’m one of the few people who had more than a passing awareness of Critical Race Theory before it became a ideological cudgel for the far-right. In my critical theory class … Continue reading Have You Heard of Critical Race Theory?
A Case for Critical Pragmatism in OD
Here is a link to my latest publication from the December 2021 issue of the OD Review. The Abstract reads: To respond to the grand challenges of epoch-defining phenomena like a global pandemic, climate change, and social justice movements, the multi-disciplined, problem-driven approaches of organization development (OD) must come to the fore. In this article … Continue reading A Case for Critical Pragmatism in OD
I’m Reckoning With Reckoning
I've noticed that reckoning has become the go-to word for talking about extreme situations that expose some disturbing reality that had previously been hidden from view. It's often used in discussions involving racial and gender disparities and in activist movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo. Increasingly, we see reckoning used in the context of … Continue reading I’m Reckoning With Reckoning
Socially Significant Science
The concept of “social” is undergoing constant redefinition, and with that, so is everything else. Even before the coronavirus pandemic introduced us to social distancing, new forms of social media were disrupting everything from how we define relationships, how we communicate, how we educate and learn, how we influence, or are influenced by others, how … Continue reading Socially Significant Science
Testing My Views
Anti-racism is an active and conscious effort to work against multidimensional aspects of racism I have had significant exposure to diversity, equity and inclusion methods, critical race theory, and other social justice movements as part of my work in organization development. But it is only in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd and … Continue reading Testing My Views
The Dark Side of Nice
During the weeks following the death of George Floyd my email box exploded with messages from individuals and organizations condemning the actions of the police, acknowledging the enormous amount of work that was needed to eliminate inequality and injustice, and pledging to provide support to members of the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) … Continue reading The Dark Side of Nice
My Shot
The Broadway musical Hamilton with its inspiring re-telling of the story of the American Revolution is widely credited for reigniting energy into the ideals of American Democracy. Its songs are about history, but they are also about the world today and inspired by the challenges and opportunities of the present. It was Alexander Hamilton’s revolutionary … Continue reading My Shot
Perspective Transformation
8 minutes and 36 seconds that changed the world. 8 minutes and 36 seconds of police brutality, captured on video, on a street in Minneapolis. 8 minutes and 36 seconds that ended the life of George Floyd after he tried to pass a bogus $20 bill at a neighborhood grocery store. 8 minutes and 36 … Continue reading Perspective Transformation
Making Sense In Times of Uncertainty
In "normal times" businesses relationships are focused on helping to solve customer problems and making good decisions that are aided by expertise, experience, data and some sense of certainty of future events. Good decision-making always strives for clear questions with clear answers. But that's not possible in the world we are experiencing today. We are … Continue reading Making Sense In Times of Uncertainty
Hello, I'm Lisa Meyer 