Confronting Racism
By Alexandra Koktsidis and Bob Fitzgerald
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
Boathouse supports #BlackLivesMatter. We’re committed to do what we can, as a company and as individuals, to combat racism and systemic inequality. It’s the right thing to do.
Talking about race, injustice, bigotry, hidden biases—basically everything we will need to address if we are to succeed in Boathouse’s ambitious endeavor—is excruciatingly difficult and fraught with emotion. It will not be easy. At the risk of oversimplification, we will need to adhere to one of our founding mantras with all our strength: “Humbly cutting through the bullshit.” We will need to plumb new depths of humility; to admit what we don’t know; to listen, learn and change; to accept that even the most well-intentioned of us just might be wrong. And we will need to cut through centuries of societal, cultural and institutional bullshit.
Every organization has its strengths. We use data, intelligence and creativity to solve business problems. We look at ways we can serve organizations and generate a return on investment. At a fundamental level, we learn. Our goal is to use these same skills—learning and doing—to fight injustice and inequality. Because we can do better. And we can always do more.
The pressing need for change is evident. In what way, or ways, can we make a difference? How can we begin to reverse the systemic inequality that’s pervaded the world? These are the questions we’re asking ourselves. We started with a small group in our agency, and have opened up these questions to everyone.
This resulted in a range of ideas: from smaller-scale changes internally, such as the way we hire, the vendors we use, and the conversations we have, to the external ways that can make an impact. Now it’s up to us to focus on a few of these ideas, and really give them our all.
One insight to consider: change is iterative. The corporate world needs to invest in actions that have a reverberating effect. This goes beyond giving money to fill gaps.
It’s about making intentional decisions on how to use funds to create an impact that, in turn, creates more impact. It’s a multiplier effect.
We can use investments and information to help create this change. To create opportunities where there haven’t been any before. To hear voices that have gone unheard.
To succeed we will need to push ourselves and each other. We will need to challenge and push understandings. And we will need to open our minds, devoting our time and mental energy.
This is just the start. And there is no end, no finish line. This work is never-ending and requires an ongoing commitment. And we are resolutely committed.