It is important for systems leaders to listen and give attention to the diverse voices of our community, especially those voices on the margins and whose stories are not heard. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us that, “a riot is the language of the unheard.” That is, protest is the result of oppressive systems silencing the voices of the marginalized.
But the simple act of listening may not be enough to disrupt systems and the status quo. Listening must be paired with systems leaders who actively respond to calls for change. When marginalized People of Color share their stories and counternarratives, systems leaders must not only listen but also engage in dismantling the ecosystem of white supremacy.