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Working with Multiracial Groups and Outreach

Representatives of all different groups need to be present to work on community or an organizational issue. But being present isn't enough. Rather, it is important to take specific steps to make sure that everyone has the ability to contribute fully and well. This includes establishing ways of interacting and norms that are respectful of different cultures and mindful of uneven power relationships. It also involves establishing processes for making decisions in which different views are respected, heard, considered, and reconciled or incorporated.

Majority rule is usually not the most fair or effective way to achieve these goals. As people or organizations join the group or the process, its culture and processes need to adapt to their experiences and views and not vice versa. It is a frustrating balance at times of aligning policies and practices to be equitable while also ensuring there is significant representation (not just one representative) from different groups.

Some things to consider are:

• Be attentive to different ways of making decisions and cultural differences about how people choose to handle or discuss conflicts. It is obviously important to build trust and relationships so people feel comfortable letting others know if they are not being listened to, or if a decision is being pushed too hard, or how white privilege has manifested itself in the dynamics of a coalition or collaboration.
• Make the decision-making process open and obvious. Consistently check to see whose voices are dominating decision-making processes. Ensure that everyone follows the rules that the group establishes for decision-making and strategy work (since people used to dominating these processes often work outside the rules).