Spaghetti (Episode 11)

Following the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd earlier this year, companies and organizations across the world came out with statements expressing their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The silence of those who chose not to speak out against racism echoed loudly through society. However, for some of the companies, dipping their toes in social responsibility through their solidarity statements appeared rushed, frantic, and poorly planned – like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping some of it sticks.

As Lisa and Shaunna discussed in our first episode, DEI work must be done with a phased approach; built both from the ground up and from the top down to facilitate actual change within an organization. This is not work that can be done by haphazardly forming diversity committees as “window dressing” to show that an organization is trying to do something.

It is imperative that inclusivity and cultural change are embedded into an organization’s values and baked into its long-term strategic plan. It cannot just be an add-on or afterthought. As members of these organizations, and of endurance sport more broadly, we have to be visionaries who can “think down the street and around the corner” to anticipate changes and growth.

In our episode this week Shaunna and Lisa challenge us as endurance athletes to ask ourselves: What does it mean to be a socially responsible endurance sports company? They remind us that it will take time to work toward these answers, but it is imperative we do this work to make our sport a safer and more inclusive space.

We also have a voicemail from a listener this week! If you have questions, comments, or voicemails send them to info@unphasedpodcast.