Fourteen years ago, the journalist Michele Norris began a project by leaving randomly placed cards with these words: “Race. Your thoughts. 6 words. Please send.” As it turns out, more than 500,000 people—most of them white—wanted to talk about race, a subject many prefer to avoid. To shine a light on intersectionality, we asked members of Audible’s Pride and Women impact groups to share their six words on the subject. And share they did, from a white mother being asked where her Chinese daughter is from to folks extolling the virtues of being different and respecting all perspectives. Another respondent speaks to the frustration she often feels as the minority in the room—she's either ignored or spoken over. Read on for our colleagues' responses, along with audio excerpts* from Our Hidden Conversations. What would your six words be?
“Homogeneity is boring! Difference inspires innovation!”
Billy Dumé, Social Media
“She’s from China? Nope, my womb.”
Chrissy App, Project Manager
“Black women are hard workers too.”
Disha Martin, Editorial
“I feel guilt for my ancestors.”
“Still more work to be done.”
Kat Kakanas, Global Customer Care
“Being othered, you can still other.”
Kári Helgason, Design
“See all, hear all, respect all.”
Sha'Nita Dyer, Customer Care
“White privilege: enjoy it, earned it.”
“Be the best version of yourself!”
Namrata Gutgutia, Quality Assurance
“I said, 'Did you hear me?'”
Niral Patel, Designer
“Louise, you need more Black friends.”
Louise Quayle, Content Acquisition
“Don’t ignore Latinos in race conversations.”
Patty K Rivera, Editorial
“Less fear, fewer doubts, more me!”
Lori Landew, General Counsel
“Need a fork. Can’t use chopsticks.”
“The full has never been told.”
Vonetta Spencer, People Operations
“Don't apologize for who you are.”
Ruth Manswell, Global Customer Support
“Diverse stories, shared humanity, unity sought.”
Anne Erni, Chief People Officer
“It’s okay to see my color.”
“It’s important to question your assumptions.”
Abby Grauman, Paid Media
“Real lives, not stereotypes, define us.”
Wendy Luu, Risk Management
“So much to learn from you.”
Arantxa Zunzunegui, Original Content
* Copyright © 2024 by Michele Norris. Audio excerpts courtesy of Simon & Schuster Audio from the audiobook OUR HIDDEN CONVERSATIONS by Michele Norris published by Simon & Schuster Audio, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. Used with permission from Simon & Schuster, Inc.
