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44 ¦ JULY 27, 2020 EXPERT OPINION

The Black Lawyer’s Burden:
Calling Out Racism

By Vivia Chen

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Corporate America has a new mantra: “If you woman or a person of color making the charge, it’s
see something, say something.” almost impossible.
That used to refer to untended packages I hear this from women and diverse lawyers
left on the subway or suspicious people wearing all the time. In my own circle of diverse female
big vests in crowds. Now, it’s also what good corpo- friends, we often share stories of sexism and rac-
rate citizens are supposed to do when they witness ism and debate at length what actions to take.
harassment, bullying or racism in the workplace. And guess what? We tend to let it go. We know
Arguably, with Black Lives Matter gaining from experience that those who complain seldom
traction, this is the perfect moment to call out get satisfaction, especially if the offender brings in
colleagues, managers and even clients who make business or carries clout. Sure, management will
offensive remarks or demonstrate intolerance. In- go through the motion of hearing us out, but how
stitutions are knocking themselves out about how often is the offender (and I’m talking about some-
much they value diversity, so why shouldn’t we tell one with a troubling history) demoted or ousted?
it like it is? And if the complainer persists in pressing the is-
Sounds empowering, but who are we kidding? sue, guess who’ll be labeled a troublemaker?
It’s hard for anyone to raise thorny topics like A recent article in the Harvard Business Review
sexism or racism in the workplace. And if you’re a talks about this problem, particularly for Blacks.

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