Social dominance theory has identified the two primary mechanisms that help maintain social hierarchies: legitimizing myths and institutional terror.Legitimizing myths are widely held with fictitious beliefs (meritocracy, divine right of the kings) where people accept valid explanations for social hierarchical positions, but when people stop believing in myths, institutional terror then actively maintains the hierarchy through the use of force, intimidation, violence, or oppressive legal policies or practices.

The Mechanisms That Maintain Social Hierarchy

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone wants social justice. There are people who prefer oppression and social inequality as long as they or their group is doing the oppressing.Racism is perpetuated to the extent that people are willing to turn a blind eye to racist systems. These systems have been put in place hundreds of years ago but it is still alive today — continuing to perpetuate racial inequality without requiring those who benefit from the systems to be aware of its existence.

The Impetus Behind The Injustice

“I no longer believe we can “win” justice simply by filing lawsuits, flexing our political muscles, or boosting voter turnout. Yes, we absolutely must do that work, but none of it—not even working for some form of political revolution—will ever be enough on its own. Without a moral or spiritual awakening, we will remain forever trapped in political games fueled by fear, greed, and the hunger for power”

<ol><li>Control your behavior and seek out repetitive contact with or substantive exposure to out-group members.</li><li>Be mindful of societal-level power differences without perpetuating them yourself.</li><li>Be respectful.</li><li>Leaders should devote considerable effort and attention to creating the right conditions for optimal intergroup contact.</li><li>Practice simple empathetic mental exercises like putting yourself in someone else's shoes and thinking about what life is from their perspective.</li><li>People must be given the chance or opportunity to do better.</li></ol>

What Everyone Can Do to Promote Racial Equity

<ul><li>Structural Threat - a disruption to the racial hierarchy or status quo</li><li>Psychological Threat - is comprised of an individual's sense of competence, certainty, status, or self-worth</li></ul>These two types of threats can occur simultaneously, a great example would be the film Mississippi Burning.

Threats That Perpetuates Racial Inequality

There are many definitions going around for "racism" however, the author wants to underscore his definition of it:Racism occurs when individuals or institutions show more favorable evaluation or treatment of an individual or group based on race or ethnicity.The author believes that racism can manifest in the forms of "evaluation" and "treatment." Moreover, racism is mostly about how society operates. It doesn't have to involve hatred toward the "other" but it is frequently motivated by an opportunistic desire to promote self-interest or group interest.

Racism

The two types of privilege are: individual and institutional.Institutional privilege refers to all the advantages of Whiteness that are inherited through baked-in foundational forces and their impact on political, economic, legal, and social structures, policies, and practices. Individual privilege is what individuals obtain for themselves, often called "achieved" status.Institutional privilege is tied to individual privilege because a lack of the former constrains or restricts the latter.The only group of people who have full privilege is the group of high-class Whites.

The 2 Types of Privilege

According to the optimal distinctiveness theory, humans are drawn to social groups that simultaneously fulfill two conflicting needs: the need for assimilation (the desire for social connection and belonging) and differentiation (the desire to be unique).In order to satisfy both needs at the same time, we must join optimally distinct (or medium-sized) groups of similar others.

The Origins of All Intergroup Biases

This is a term that is used to refer to a form of racism that is embedded in the laws and regulations of a society or an organization. It doesn't have anything to do with what's in your heart, brain, or intentions but it is all about how your actions and inactions allow the dynamics that are already in place.

Systemic Racism

Strong reasons for ending racism can be made on the basis of both self-interest and collective interest. Systems of racial oppression don’t just harm Black people; they harm other people of color, and many White people as well.People who are prejudiced against one social group are very likely to be prejudiced against multiple social groups. When you condone hatred against one group, you simultaneously enable or increase the likelihood of hatred against other groups, including, quite possibly, your own.

The Negative Effect of Racism on All of Humanity

Building diversity, equity, and inclusion requires the courage to do things differently. Individuals, businesses, community leaders, and large organizational all have a role to play. It is within our discretion to do the hard work for the changes that we want to see happen.

A Final Note on "Sacrifice"

The PRESS model is created by Robert Livingston, the author of this book and a public policy lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School.This model offers corporate and organizational leaders to implement effective interventions to address racism. PRESS stands for:Problem awarenessRoot-cause analysisEmpathyStrategiesSacrificeThis model applies not only to racism but to almost any personal or social problem.

The PRESS Model

The very existence of racism violates the notion that the world is fair and just, which makes people feel uncomfortable.

Power.The origin of racism (even sexism) comes from the desire to maintain power and the fear of losing power.The name of the game is the preservation of the existing social hierarchy, in large because it is an arrangement that feels comfortable, secure, and familiar to many Whites. On the flip side, feeling uncomfortable and insecure can lead to higher levels of racial bias.

The Origin of Racism

People are not entirely rational or objective ... It is important to understand how emotions, needs, and desires impact the interpretation of facts, and what people accept as truth.

Racial microaggressions are subtle and often inadvertent messages sent to people of color by "well-intentioned" white people that are unaware of the hidden meanings sent to them. Basically, unconsciously acting with bias.Microaggressions (e.g., a higher tendency to interrupt people of color who are speaking, ignoring input from people of color, or displaying cold or hostile nonverbal behaviors) manifest racism directly—so much so that some scholars and practitioners have begun using the term racial harassment, in place of microaggression, to convey the seriousness of their impact.

Racial Microaggressions

<ol><li>Have the people be mindful. There are people who are not aware that their feelings about their own shortcomings are directly tied to their political leanings and racial evaluations of other people.</li><li>Practice self-affirmation. Power has a palliative effect on fear. It does nothing to cure the underlying insecurities caused by fear, but it sure does make people feel better about themselves by providing the illusion of invulnerability.</li></ol>

Breaking the Fall into Racism Traps

<ol><li>There must be an institutional-based incentive to embrace diversity, by having so, opens up opportunities for individual behavioral changes.</li><li>Hold organizations accountable for diversity in a clear, measurable, and unambiguous way. By examining the core values of the organization will help to clarify the utility of diversity and help the organization to establish priorities. </li><li>Leaders have the ability to affect organizational culture through their words, actions, and policies, which influences employees' decision and behaviors. </li></ol>

Combating Racism on a Structural Level

The derogation of one stigmatized group by another is an effective way to remove oneself from the very bottom of the barrel, it serves merely as an emotional salve that temporarily assuaged feelings of threat and shame. It does nothing to address the actual problem and enables and exacerbates it by ignoring its real source.

A conversation is one of the most powerful ways to build knowledge, awareness, and empathy, and ultimately effect change. It is also a primal way for people to form bonds, build trust and create community. When people are given the opportunity to have a conversation after being exposed to new information they are more likely to have changes in behavior.We are more likely to talk, listen, influence, and be influenced through productive conversation.

The Power of Conversation

White privilege is the term used to refer to the inherent advantages that are possessed by a white person on the basis of their race in a society that is characterized by racial inequality and injustice. It, along with Black Stigma, are residual effects of enslavement.Robert Livingston underscores three points:<ul><li>White people are socioeconomically disadvantaged;</li><li>There is a racial caste system that makes the nature of the social disadvantages facing Whites and Blacks quite distinct; and</li><li>That the angst of the working-class Whites is misdirected.</li></ul>

White Privilege

<ul><li>Having diversity provides a sense of equity and belonging. The business case for diversity and moral case are intertwined—the former requires the latter in order to work.</li><li>Failure to do so could damage the organization's reputation.</li><li>Having people of color in an organization can provide to new markets.</li><li>Diversity is a valuable asset unto itself. Diverse teams can generate higher levels of creativity and effectiveness.</li><li>Diversity reduces social cohesion.</li></ul>However, it is important to keep in mind that in order for diversity to pay dividends, it must be fully committed to equity and inclusion.

Why Organizations Should Care About Diversity

Racism is a textbook example of harm because it hurts people of color in every sense imaginable—psychologically, physically, financially, and professionally.It epitomizes how past events continue to produce harmful attitudes and outcomes in the present. The social, economic, political, and health disparities created by historical structures are still with us today. Moreover, racism persists because people allow self-interest, tribalism, and other factors to conveniently distort their conception of fairness, values, and moral foundations.

How Racism Hurts People

<ol><li>You can reduce prejudice simply by feeling good, calm, and secure. Practicing self-affirmation helps but also pondering the ways of love and kindness.</li><li>White people should resist the temptation of falling victim to White solidarity.  If there is no willingness to incur inconvenience, it will not work.</li><li>Have actionable goals that pose a clear idea of what you can do to achieve the outcomes that matter to you.</li></ol>

Combating Racism on a Psychological Level

Equality simply means everyone is treated the same exact way, regardless of need or any other individual difference. Equity, on the other hand, means everyone is provided with what they need to succeed. Thus, equity entails treating people differently but that is not the same as "special" treatment. The latter is based on pure favorites or cronyism, not need, merit, obstacles, or other criteria of commensuration.Equal treatment in the face of unlevel playing fields and disparate barrier heights merely perpetuates systems of injustice that are already in place.

Equality vs Equity

If people are only attacked, threatened, or criticized, then they will retreat. If you confront and correct while giving resources, reassurance, and opportunity to grow, then many will rise to the challenge.

In this book, Robert Livingston has culled theory, data, and research from a range of scientific disciplines, including social psychology, behavioral economics, sociology, organizational behavior, political science, history, and evolutionary and molecular biology to address the fundamental question of how we can better name, understand, discuss, and resolve the problem of racism in society and the workplace. 

FINALIST FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD An essential tool for individuals, organizations, and communities of all sizes to jump-start dialogue on racism and bias and to transform well-intentioned statements on diversity into concrete actions—from a leading Harvard social psychologist. “Livingston has made the important and challenging task of addressing systemic racism within an organization approachable and achievable.”—Alex Timm, co-founder and CEO, Root Insurance Company How can I become part of the solution? In the wake of the social unrest of 2020 and growing calls for racial justice, many business leaders and ordinary citizens are asking that very question. This book provides a compass for all those seeking to begin the work of anti-racism. In The Conversation, Robert Livingston addresses three simple but profound questions: What is racism? Why should everyone be more concerned about it? What can we do to eradicate it? For some, the existence of systemic racism against Black people is hard to accept because it violates the notion that the world is fair and just. But the rigid racial hierarchy created by slavery did not collapse after it was abolished, nor did it end with the civil rights era. Whether it’s the composition of a company’s leadership team or the composition of one’s neighborhood, these racial divides and disparities continue to show up in every facet of society. For Livingston, the difference between a solvable problem and a solved problem is knowledge, investment, and determination. And the goal of making organizations more diverse, equitable, and inclusive is within our capability. Livingston’s lifework is showing people how to turn difficult conversations about race into productive instances of real change. For decades he has translated science into practice for numerous organizations, including Airbnb, Deloitte, Microsoft, Under Armour, L’Oreal, and JPMorgan Chase. In The Conversation, Livingston distills this knowledge and experience into an eye-opening immersion in the science of racism and bias. Drawing on examples from pop culture and his own life experience, Livingston, with clarity and wit, explores the root causes of racism, the factors that explain why some people care about it and others do not, and the most promising paths toward profound and sustainable progress, all while inviting readers to challenge their assumptions. Social change requires social exchange. Founded on principles of psychology, sociology, management, and behavioral economics, The Conversation is a road map for uprooting entrenched biases and sharing candid, fact-based perspectives on race that will lead to increased awareness, empathy, and action.

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A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • An essential tool for individuals, organizations, and communities of all sizes to jump-start dialogue on racism and bias and to transform well-intentioned statements on diversity into concrete actions—from a leading Harvard social psychologist. NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE FOR OUTSTANDING LITERARY ACHIEVEMENT • LONGLISTED FOR THE PORCHLIGHT BUSINESS BOOK AWARD “Livingston has made the important and challenging task of addressing systemic racism within an organization approachable and achievable.”—Alex Timm, co-founder and CEO, Root Insurance Company How can I become part of the solution? In the wake of the social unrest of 2020 and growing calls for racial justice, many business leaders and ordinary citizens are asking that very question. This book provides a compass for all those seeking to begin the work of anti-racism. In The Conversation, Robert Livingston addresses three simple but profound questions: What is racism? Why should everyone be more concerned about it? What can we do to eradicate it?  For some, the existence of systemic racism against Black people is hard to accept because it violates the notion that the world is fair and just. But the rigid racial hierarchy created by slavery did not collapse after it was abolished, nor did it end with the civil rights era. Whether it’s the composition of a company’s leadership team or the composition of one’s neighborhood, these racial divides and disparities continue to show up in every facet of society. For Livingston, the difference between a solvable problem and a solved problem is knowledge, investment, and determination. And the goal of making organizations more diverse, equitable, and inclusive is within our capability. Livingston’s lifework is showing people how to turn difficult conversations about race into productive instances of real change. For decades he has translated science into practice for numerous organizations, including Airbnb, Deloitte, Microsoft, Under Armour, L’Oreal, and JPMorgan Chase. In The Conversation, Livingston distills this knowledge and experience into an eye-opening immersion in the science of racism and bias. Drawing on examples from pop culture and his own life experience, Livingston, with clarity and wit, explores the root causes of racism, the factors that explain why some people care about it and others do not, and the most promising paths toward profound and sustainable progress, all while inviting readers to challenge their assumptions. Social change requires social exchange. Founded on principles of psychology, sociology, management, and behavioral economics, The Conversation is a road map for uprooting entrenched biases and sharing candid, fact-based perspectives on race that will lead to increased awareness, empathy, and action.

The Power of Conversation

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