Lace on Race

Notes from The Coronavirus Cubicle: Post 7

The surest way to abuse your influence, personal power, and social capital– is to deny that you have it.

Unacknowledged power is toxic power. Every time. No exceptions.

I used to think that people really didn’t know that they held power/influence/SC. Now I know better.

It’s denied or mimimized because once it’s acknowledged, one has to take responsibility for it.

In the American workplace one of many ways this shows up is when those in power insist that ‘we’re all one team’ but then bludegon with the power they deny having at the slightest wind.

I am seeing that, and experiencing it all the time in this present crisis.

Who you are with those who can neither promote you nor punish you is who you are.

Lace on Race Admin Staff

2 responses to “Notes from The Coronavirus Cubicle: Post 7”

  1. Kathy Kratchmer Avatar
    Kathy Kratchmer

    “ Who you are with those who can neither promote you nor punish you is who you are.”

    It is only in truly safe spaces where I am free to fully express myself, no holds barred, fully, honestly, transparently.
    And keeping the space safe requires that the other people in the space experience the same.

    And the safety And freedom doesn’t come from sidestepping the giving and receiving of feedback, and critique, and hard questions, and uncomfortable, lumpy crossings. it is formed in the midst of it when we t.r.u.s.t. that those we walk with are for us and we open ourselves to each other so we learn and grow together because that’s the point after all. .

  2. Danielle Holcombe Avatar
    Danielle Holcombe

    “It’s denied or minimized because once it’s acknowledged, one has to take responsibility for it.”
    Indeed. Also, white women especially enjoy a good game of oppression olympics once in a while. So if we can deny our power, we can first fight with you over who has it tougher, and subsequently wield our power to harm you ~ all while playing the innocent.

    The clench for me is that I don’t see where my power lies at work. I feel powerless ~ but I think that needs some examining in light of other data available to me.

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