This is the Too Many Trees newsletter, where I share what I’ve been writing and reading in the realm of leadership and personal development. My coaching practice is centered around the idea that we are more effective in moving towards our goals when we become more conscious and intentional in focusing our time and attention.
Today’s newsletter is centered around antiracism, because that is where I am focusing my time and attention these days when I am not working with my clients.
Blog: I posted my reflections on Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, in which Coates shares his perspective on being black in America, from his childhood on the violent streets of Baltimore, to the broadening of his horizons at Howard University, which he calls his Mecca, through his adult experience of New York City and Paris, which seemed like far-away galaxies in his youth. Coates’s writing is challenging and beautiful, and is a window into a very different world than my bubble of privilege.
Reviewing hiring criteria to make sure it reflects actual skills needed, rather than proxies like a college degree that may be more correlated with privilege
My acknowledgment of my own racism and committing to take antiracist actions, even if it’s uncomfortable for me
Attention leads to action - by committing to antiracism, I saw and took action on a couple opportunities such as volunteering to coach black professionals
Acting with integrity is how to handle complex problems like racism, inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s essay, When the Hero is the Problem, and Esther Derby’s book, 7 Rules For Positive, Productive Change
Justice in June is a self-guided curriculum to educate oneself on racism - I have been working through the ten minutes per day materials, supplemented by other resources I find.
I have also been working through Me and White Supremacy, by Layla Saad, which has challenging self-reflection questions at the end of each chapter on topics like white privilege, tone policing, white fragility, etc.
Interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates where he actually feels hopeful right now. I especially liked the thought experiment of a government that practices the principles of non-violence.
On Being interview with Resmaa Menakem where he powerfully shares how racism is embedded in the body. As an integral coach who works with how behavior emerges from the intersection between mind, body, relationships and environment, I love this example of applying that holistic view to racism.
Throughline podcast on the history of police in America and how the police has been used for violent control of Black Americans since the beginning
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on how policing is broken
I continue to be here to witness, to listen, to learn, to amplify, and to support. Just reach out (eric at toomanytrees) if you want to share, or need a virtual shoulder to cry on, or just need to vent. I also welcome feedback on how I could do better - suggestions welcome.
Thanks for reading. See you in a couple weeks.