Visually dynamic, Dancing on Live Embers investigates how racism, White power, and privilege operate in the ordinary moments of organizational life. It holds up familiar workplace interactions for scrutiny, and looks for openings to advance racial equity and justice. Through stories, it offers concrete examples of racial justice work by a range of experienced activists.This is a hands-on book for people who are trying to create more equitable organizations-front-line staff, managers, administrators, political leaders, union and community educators and activists, boards of directors, teachers, human resource staff, equity officers, and university and college faculty.
This hands-on book can help readers build fairness and equity into their workplaces. Ms. Lopes and Ms. Thomas bring us into various consulting situations (public agencies, unions, etc.) where we see concrete examples of problems as well as opportunities to move racial equity forward. With thoughtful finesse, they developed discussion materials grounded upon real-life contexts. The Canadian perspective on power imbalances and racial equity is particularly refreshing. The authors encourage us to act more intentionally in our ordinary moments. Read it and be jogged out of mental ruts!
– Gustavus Myers Center award committee
The most critical thing I feel I can say about this book is that it should be in the widest possible circulation.a powerful resource both for understanding how racism pervades and how to act against racism (and for equity) in organizational contexts.
– rabble.ca
Acknowledgements | |
Foreword | Pat Case |
Introduction | |
Part I | What is Racial Equity Work? |
Part II | Phases in Organizational Change: Measuring Shifts in Power |
Chapter 1 | Getting Beyond Training |
Chapter 2 | Getting to How Things Work |
Chapter 3 | Keeping Racial Equity on the Agenda |
Part III | Making the Links: Racial Equity in Organizations and Social Movements |
Introduction | |
Chapter 4 | A National Story: Working Inside/Out: Building an Anti-Racism Activism at the Canadian Labour Congress |
Chapter 5 | Building Workers' Power through an Equity Agenda: Building Leadership and Alliances at the Toronto and York Region Labour Council |
Part IV | Between Us |
Part V | More Tools and Strategies |
Glossary | |
Notes | |
Selected Bibliography |