From Sabotage to Support

A guide for women on how to dismantle cultural programming at work that promotes tearing one another down and how to raise each other up instead. Joy Wiggins and Kami Anderson advocate that the only way women can successfully support each other is by addressing the varying intersections of our individual power and privileges, particularly focusing on how some privileges are inherited along lines of race, class, sexuality, and geography. When we fully examine how we have power in certain situations and not in others, we start to see where we can lend privilege to create truly inclusive spaces for the historically underrepresented and marginalized. Wiggins and Anderson look at how the dynamics of privilege and power have played out in the history of the feminist movement and identify and break down socialized behaviors and ideologies that trigger implicit bias and microaggressions. And they provide tools to interrupt negative thoughts and actions so women can nurture mutual support and show up as their authentic selves. Each chapter features a dialogue between them reflecting on how issues of race, privilege, and power have played out in their lives and their friendship. The system of patriarchy has created an environment for women to knowingly and unknowingly sabotage each other-it is not inherent in women themselves. This book teaches us how to take an active approach to becoming better allies for each other and by so doing improve our world and end the cycle of injustice. "Packed with everyday wisdom and common-sense recommendations, From Sabotage to Support provides an important alternative to our oppositional, combative social milieu. The authors offer insights, analyses, strategies, and everyday wisdom that give us the necessary tools to transform our workplaces into more equitable, harmonious, inclusive spaces." -AnaLouise Keating, PhD, Professor and Doctoral Program Director, Department of Multicultural Women's and Gender Studies, Texas Woman's University, and Gloria Anzaldúa scholar "A fantastic addition to the body of knowledge for women (and allies) by women. This book lays down a solid foundation for people new to feminist and womanist journeys while providing immensely actionable guidance for managing our sabotaging behaviors toward ourselves and others. The authors thoughtfully include myriad diverse identities and movements that define the complex human experience. This book will forever change you, your workplace, and the way that you embrace and connect with people." -Tiffany Jana, DM, CEO, TMI Portfolio, and coauthor of Overcoming Bias and Erasing Institutional Bias