The process of creating inclusive organizations involves multiple and repeated dialogues from many quarters. As a part of this process, there are places for self-determined groups seeking sanctuary together to address their own issues. In a world that is increasingly polarized and politically correct, it is critical that white men focus with other white men on their willingness to engage with each other and others to create new and equitable organizational cultures that bring out the best in everyone. It is time that white men identify more proactive ways to be allies to women, people of color as well as each other. White men must actively work with women and people of color to set the course as they engage in the process of building inclusive organizations.
White men have a poor historical record when they come together behind closed doors.
White men must reverse the notion that if they get together, they will simply attempt to reinforce their standing in society at the expense of non-white males. A white male-only caucus is acceptable when it is used in partnership with other ongoing alliance building work with women and people of color to create equitable and inclusive organizations. Early on in our work engaging white men as full diversity partners, we received a number of inquiries from women and people of color in full support of our work but requesting if they could come as observers to the caucus. They went on to say that they were frustrated and looking for ways to continue their own learning process with more effectively working with and engaging white men. As a result of our evolving work, we now offer residential workshops for white men, women and people of color where teams attend from the same organization for the purpose of building stronger partnerships across difference to engage white men as full partners.