Engaging (or Not) in Tough Conversations as a Marginalized Person

If you belong to a marginalized or underrepresented group, there’s a good chance you’ve been asked to comment on sensitive issues that affect you personally. For people of color, this might take the form of White friends asking you, “When did things get so bad?” For those who identify as nonbinary, it might be cisgender colleagues asking, “So, what do your pronouns mean?” These questions often come from well-meaning people who are trying their best to understand but inadvertently make you feel uncomfortable.

As tough conversations about social issues become increasingly common in the workplace, it’s important that those asked to engage know how they can navigate these moments in a way that feels safe and comfortable. In this article, we’ll hear from two people with a great deal of experience navigating this side of the conversation.