“Where is the beef?” is the iconic marketing tool used by Wendy’s implying that there was something missing from traditional fast food burgers. You got more beef at Wendy’s. This is a truth in counseling as well. Pay as much attention to what someone is not saying as to what they do share. What more do you need to know about them in order to direct the counseling process. What is missing?
For example, what we know about Covid 19 is clear in terms of prevention. We have guidelines for how to prevent it. We need to know more to create a vaccine. That important knowledge is missing.
“Where is the beef?” plays a role regarding so much important stuff in life where key pieces are missing.
Several people who knew I was committed to diversity work suggested that I read “White Fragility” by Robin Diangelo. It covers issues essential to understanding the Black Lives Matter Movement. Understanding promotes forward movement. She presents in depth analysis describing the ideas that precede action necessary for any movement to go forward. This has been true throughout history. I am a white male. I have had the opportunity to work two of the best diversity trainers, Courtney Portlock and Walidah Justice. Diangelo is a college professor, author and an expert on race matters whose insights are terrific. However, she weaves information that is hard to engage when we have those basic questions like, “But what about____?” I want to ask a few “Where’s the beef?” questions. For me, what’s missing?
When a friend of mine who has no filters finished my recent memoir, she stood in my kitchen and said, “OK I get it. You grew up poor and your parents had little education.” After reading 389 pages that was her summary. There is more “beef” in it. Racism is crucial to discuss, but what about classism which I am passionate about correcting as well? Who is your target audience for “White Fragility”? What about the importance of education? What about money as power and choice? How do we embed anti-racism in the culture of a school, community, nation and world?
Diangelo has two paragraphs about class in her book. We learn she grew in poverty and was embarrassed about that. But she always knew she was white and it was better to be white. (P. 19 and 66) She addresses “Where Do We Go From Here? In 20 pages at the end.
Here is what I want to know and what I also value. I have a series of “Where’s the beef?” questions about classism, education, and an author’s target audience that I would like to raise. Your target audience is the first question that a publisher will ask you as any author/academic knows? What personal experiences have shaped your views? I always believe that if you provide analysis of a problem, provide possible solutions. Part 2 will be my next post and will address the “Where’s the beef?” questions that are important to me.
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