Can Executives Learn Empathy by Experiencing Exclusion?

Here’s your week in review, in haiku.

OK boomer! Time
to talk: Not about K-9s,
or as I like to

call them, “DOGS,” but more
about the world you plan to
leave behind. Maybe

we will all end up
flooded and divided;
some, saddled with debt.

It’s hard to find faith
When the world is ablaze, but
even bats know hope.

Leave all that despair
to us Gen-X’ers! We’re used
to it. It’s fine. Pfffft.

Have an optimistic weekend! We are grateful for you.

Ellen McGirt
Ellen.McGirt@fortune.com
@ellmcgirt

On Point

Can virtual reality help executives understand inclusion? The trick, says Pittsburgh-based leadership consultancy DDI, is to help people viscerally feel what it's like to feel excluded. They’ve launched a new VR-enabled diversity and inclusion training program that is designed to create empathy by putting people in scenarios where they are suddenly the focus of key microaggressions—being talked over or shut out of meetings, derided as "too sensitive." It’s designed to be a safe way for mostly white, male executives to walk in the shoes of other people. Click through for the fascinating development process and to watch Fortune’s Emma Hinchcliffe give the headset and simulation a test drive. "It’s really what it’s like to feel excluded at work," says Mina Sipe, a senior innovation consultant at DDI Labs. And unlike other corporate training programs, it really triggers some strong reactions like crying, sweating, one almost flipped the table, says Sipe.
Fortune

The trouble with Tik Tok and race Tik Tok became the world’s most-downloaded app in 2018, no small feat in a field crowded by video-shenanigan-sharing platforms. But while teens are doing incredibly creative things with the app (like "dancing" to abusive voicemails, and re-mixing history lessons), they’re also inadvertently perpetuating racist stereotypes. Quartz’s Brianna Holt calls it blackface without the face paint. "Videos of mostly young white teens portraying fictitious minority characters for the mere purpose of entertainment aren’t only cringe-worthy, offensive, and weird—they perpetuate racist cliches," she says.
Quartz

The racial wealth gap in politics It's a pretty clear thing in the Democratic presidential race. The top four contenders are all white and have a combined cash on hand of $91.1 million. The bottom non-white five have a combined $23.9 million, bookended by Kamala Harris with $10.5 million and Julian Castro with only $672,000. But, explains Axios’s Alexi McCammond, the problem exists at every level of politics. "It’s definitely a systemic challenge that we’re seeing these disparities at every level," says Quentin James, founder of Collective PAC, which helps recruit and train black Democratic candidates.
Axios

New study finds shocking underrepresentation of African subjects in genetic studies While researchers knew this, they’re only now getting a sense of how bad the situation is: A new study of the DNA of 6,000 people in rural Uganda found that 29% of the gene variants they discovered weren’t present in one of the largest existing databases of human genome sequences. Right now, people of European ancestry make up for 16% of the population but 80% of participants in gene studies. A more diverse dataset could have a dramatic effect on global health. Because all humans originated in Africa, current African populations have more genetic diversity than the descendants of people who migrated away. "Two individuals within an African population will be much more different than two individuals within a European population," says lead researcher Deepti Gurdasani. The greater genetic variability, the higher the likelihood that researchers might find a connection between certain gene variants and certain diseases. I'm no expert, but that sounds important.
New Scientist

On Background

It’s hard to fight for inclusion in your own workplace Esther K. Choo is an emergency physician, professor, inclusion advocate, a delightful Twitterer, and a raceAhead treasure. Her most recent essay begins with her weeping outside of a staff meeting after a conversation about the value of diversity went off the rails. She had reached a boiling point that many will find familiar. "If those systematically exposed to discrimination have developed a thick skin," she writes, "those who have faced few external barriers to success are delicate and easily chafed by simple, factual statements about diversity." She had become exhausted playing what she calls "the inside game," from being the person who calls for inclusion from inside the house. "The inside game is hard," she says. "In an environment resistant to substantive change, it can exact a huge emotional toll." Yes, it is, and yes, it does. Please read, and share, and know that we see and appreciate you.
Lancet (free with registration)

Full representation in the workforce linked to positive GDP The U.S. doesn’t allocate talent well, argues, Dan Kopf, which leaves an awful lot of economic benefit on the table. He cites analysis from Chicago and Stanford economists who show that improved access to skilled jobs for women and people of color accounts for around 25% of all economic growth from 1960 to 2010—80% of the gains were from better education access and 20% of the gains from less discriminatory employers. What would be at stake if employers drop barriers even further and access to education was equal? GDP per capita growth of 15% to 20%, say the researchers. What say you? asks Kopf.
Quartz

What happens to a black girl who is too anxious to ever feel like magic? If you have three minutes and 20 seconds to spare, then spend some time with this spoken word piece that is the best, most inspiring, most on point explanation of anxiety I’ve ever heard. It’s by a poet named Jae Nichelle and she will make your heart soar. "So my anxiety and I have what you might call a friends with benefits relationship…," she begins. Bring tissues. Follow her here.
YouTube

Tamara El-Waylly helps write and produce raceAhead.