Episode Details

Race is an uncomfortable conversation. Recent events like the death of George Floyd and Breana Taylor sparked race conversations, racial tensions, movements like Black Lives Matter, and corporate action. These events have forced us to look inward and challenge our thoughts, perspectives and views on race and the role race plays in our conscious and unconscious bias. In this episode, host Fran Racioppi joined by investigative journalist, Dax Devlon-Ross to discuss his new book, Letters To My White Male Friends. 

Dax and Fran break down the race divide between black and white. They define and analyze present day examples of systemic racism and why they exist. Dax shares his personal experiences of growing up in Washington, DC. We lay out Dax's LENS (Listen, Empathize, Notice, Speak) framework for how we move forward...together. And in a section called, Dax's Decision-Points, he lays out his checklist for solving any complex issue.

Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website.

Highlights:

-Dax provides examples of systemic racism in America, an explanation of how we got here, and how we change it. 

-We tie the Special Operations nine characteristics of elite performance into Dax’s seven core beliefs of Bravery, Community, History, Honesty, Humility, Inquiry, and Story.

-Fran and Dax discuss the role of charities in society, the gap they fill and the impact many do (and do not) have.

-Identity, and how a person identifies themself, is an important factor in how they view dominance, subordination and their role in society. 

-Dax explains the current, and dangerous, tendency of leaders to not make important decisions, default to group think and their genuine fear of taking action that some people may not agree with.

-How to develop diversity, equity and inclusion programs that are not a result of woke culture, but focused on accepting the current norms, identifying the true goals and empowering community in the organization.

-Dax shares an emotional perso