This yoga community harmed their business by acting too quickly in response to what is happening in the U.S.:
1. As a yoga community, inclusivity should be at the forefront of everything. Even though the workshop was created for white people to learn about racism and privilege, BIPOC members of the community should have had an opportunity to feel like they were invited to attend and had a voice during the conversation.
2. Credentials other than “studied racism and privilege for several years” should have be given. For all we know, she has a BIPOC partner, has read a few books and watched some TEDx talks.
Get educated. YES.
Speak up. YES.
Take action. YES.
But if you’re going to jump on a bandwagon and start positioning yourself as someone who knows enough about a topic to teach a workshop on it, be sure to explain your qualifications. Otherwise, you could be seen as opportunistic.
Because let’s remember, this wasn’t a workshop from a yoga teacher on “how to do a handstand”. She might have that expertise.
Hosting a workshop on such a serious and sensitive topic should mean you have experience and expertise.
Even with 3 decades of learning behind me, “teaching racism education” just isn’t a bandwagon I would be comfortable jumping on.
My action steps were to both respond AND unsubscribe (as prior emails on the topic were also insensitive). Other people also chose to disassociate with the organization.
On the flipside, it did give me an opportunity to speak with one of the members of the newly formed social justice committee. While I can’t say anything will change at the organization level, I believe that on a personal level, she came to our conversation with curiosity, an open mind and a genuine desire to understand.
What could they have done differently (from the start)?
There are actually BIPOC’s in the wellness world who are stepping up and offering educational resources so that we all may learn how to be more conscientious and compassionate. There are even programs being offered, which the organization could have reached out to the organizer to ask if a group discount could be applied if they had enough participants.
Trying to do the right thing (in the wrong way)
Good intentions can go awry when we quickly react to a situation rather than taking the time to do the work and think about the best next steps forward.
Using tools of discernment, inquiry and reflection will lead to better results – for the cause you’re supporting, your business and the people inside your community.