The Pink Elephant: A Practical Guide to Creating an Anti-Racist Organization

This book is a must-read and is a great tool to reference now and for many years to come. It offers helpful tips and suggestions on having effective dialogue within the organization while navigating through the complexities of systemic racism. Employees at all levels can apply these principles. Included are also fun and educational group activities that can be used in person as well as virtually to help participants conceptualize privilege across any organization. It’s an incredible read for members of any company looking for techniques to foster an anti-racist work environment which studies prove to be beneficial for all employees and profitable for any organization.

This book is an amazing guide for confronting and eradicating racism--both within ourselves and within the workplace. Dr. Janice G. Asare so eloquently informs us of the history of racism in the US and walks us through how to define and change systems of oppression.There really are no excuses for anyone to not learn and create ways for change after reading this book--it is just that detailed and comprehensive.Do yourself (and your job) a favor and purchase, read, and share this book! It should be on everyone's book club list in 2021!

There are many take-away nuggets of wisdom in this book. And what makes them all insightful and actionable is that they are strengthened by and stem from one of the most powerful statements in the book — “we have to be willing to engage in the conversation.” A *simple* and yet profound truth. Nothing happens without first facing what’s happening. Gassam reminds us that anti-racism work starts with a much-needed conversation.

Dr. Gassam Asare never disappoints! The Pink Elephant provides an in-depth understanding of what it means to truly be anti-racist. This practical guide also provides insight into the decades of racism and systemic oppression in the U.S. while beautifully outlining a path for change.Perfect read for organizations looking to strengthen their DEI efforts or those looking to learn more about DEI’s importance.

I really liked the way Dr. Janice Gassam Asare went about sequencing very complex components of DEI work. She already has a way of simplifying a very heavy topic but there's another art to leading the reader in the correct manner. Once again class is in session and she humbly leads the class.

The fabric of our great country has been stained for centuries with systemic racism. Yes, people of color have overcome great feats and have representation, but it still needs work. Unfortunately, due to lack of exposure and ignorance (willful and unintentional), our own biases may lead to macroaggressions and racism that spill over into the workplace. This behavior can no longer be tolerated if we are to make real progress and end systemic racism.This book is a great tool to promote an anti-racist work environment that can also be implemented in daily life outside of the workplace.Also, this book is set apart from other books in its genre because it is relevant to the conversations sparked in 2020, where we now have the openness and language to express respect, inclusion, and value among people across a wide range of demographics.

This book is especially useful for leaders within organizations that want to support their Black employees, employees of color, and other marginalized groups. I love the way Dr. Gassam methodically approaches the topic, starting with white supremacy and the history in the US, then to the importance of understanding our own privilege. She then spends the rest of the book diving into several strategies for moving organizations. This is not a book of theory, it is a book of practice. It is also not a book of comfort. Janice is very direct in talking about what works and what doesn't, with special attention on performative allyship. This should be required reading for leaders in organizations that want to actually make change.

This book is not just another informational dump on racism and its history in America. The Pink Elephant goes beyond giving a foundational understanding and provides practical solutions to tackling such a heavy subject in the workplace. It's a great resource and tool that any leader in an organization could use to start really addressing a topic that has finally really been exposed. Dr. Gassam Asare has done it again!

Although focused on racism in the US, the content is just as relevant to the UK. This is a well written, thought provoking, <i>'no stones left unturned'</i> look at the current issues faced by society. It is sad that in 2020 the cracks of systematic racism are still present. This book teaches us that is okay to hold uncomfortable conversations in order to better understand the different dimensions that exist right in front of our eyes. Sometimes we can be completely obviously to the modern day challenges when it comes to race - it's time to open up our eyes and accept responsibility.