Foundational Concepts of Racism and Anti-Black Racism in the United States for HRD Practitioners and Scholars

Given a general lack of attention to racial concerns in human resource development (HRD) journal articles, this chapter aims to encourage HRD practitioners and scholars to use the newly inspired global movement(s) for Black lives to address the deficit in the literature focusing on the injustices faced by African Americans. This chapter briefly examines the depths of racism in the United States by considering its history, prevalence, and critical concepts such as systemic racism and White privilege. Examining the United States’ history through this lens provides insights for understanding the origins of current national debates around race, (systemic) racism, White supremacy, White privilege, racial stigma, and how it affects the workplace, including its influence on organizational decisions and policymaking, particularly in areas involving talent acquisition, advancement opportunities, organizational culture, and benefits and compensation. This chapter concludes with a discussion on anti-Black racism measures and presents some strategies that HRD practitioners and scholars may use to advance the conversation on race.