Bicycle Friendly America Summer 2018 - 9

ties that folks with darker skin are not. A
very obvious privilege for white folks in
cycling is being widely represented.
TOKENISM
Finally let's address tokenism. In the
workshop, we agreed that tokenism is
the perpetuation of stereotypes and exploitation of a person for profit. Tokenism manifests in many ways. One prime
example is having a few people of color
in a predominately white space, and feeling that diversity is present and people
of color are well represented. Tokenism
is also diminishing the value of the people working towards change. Emotional
labor (helping you work through your
discomfort) is work, panels are work,
articles are work, clinics and workshops
are work. Acknowledge, respect, and
(when possible) pay for the time and
energy being invested in your growth.
Simply having people of color present
isn't enough. We are not check marks on
a supply list for diversity.

SUMMER 2018

What can be done? Stop expecting
the answers to fall into your lap. Do the
work, read the books, and for the love
of bikes, LISTEN more. Do less talking, and listen to the people who are telling you what they need and how you can
provide it.
Here are a few things to get you started:
* Representation in content creation
Diversity Is Cycling's Most Urgent
Problem-Here's How to Fix It
* Implicit bias at work 'Resume whitening' doubles callbacks for minority job candidates, study finds
* Privilege explained Please, people,
stop using bikes to whitesplain
privilege
* Tokenism in Nonprofits 8 Ways
People of Color are Tokenized in
Nonprofits
* Cultural Competency Training The
Brown Bike Girl

There are so many resources available
if you choose to utilize them, but it is
up to you to make that a priority to find
them. Before anything else, you have to
be ready to be really uncomfortable with
what you find, and commit to working
through that discomfort with honesty
and intention. When you have made it
that far, let's talk.
- Ayesha, advocate and athlete @
ayesuppose

BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA 9

https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a19702179/diversity-is-cyclings-most-urgent-problem/ https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a19702179/diversity-is-cyclings-most-urgent-problem/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/17/jobs-search-hiring-racial-discrimination-resume-whitening-callbacks https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/17/jobs-search-hiring-racial-discrimination-resume-whitening-callbacks https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/17/jobs-search-hiring-racial-discrimination-resume-whitening-callbacks https://www.grist.org/cities/please-people-stop-using-bikes-to-whitesplain-privilege/ https://www.grist.org/cities/please-people-stop-using-bikes-to-whitesplain-privilege/ https://www.grist.org/cities/please-people-stop-using-bikes-to-whitesplain-privilege/ https://www.medium.com/the-nonprofit-revolution/8-ways-people-of-color-are-tokenized-in-nonprofits-32138d0860c1 https://www.medium.com/the-nonprofit-revolution/8-ways-people-of-color-are-tokenized-in-nonprofits-32138d0860c1 https://www.medium.com/the-nonprofit-revolution/8-ways-people-of-color-are-tokenized-in-nonprofits-32138d0860c1 http://www.thebrownbikegirl.com/ https://www.facebook.com/TheBrownBikeGirl/ http://www.thebrownbikegirl.com/ http://americanspecialty.com/LAB http://americanspecialty.com http://americanspecialtyexpress.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Bicycle Friendly America Summer 2018