The Liberal Arts and Sciences Office asked Dr. Doug Cremer to discuss his new book Antiracist Leadership: A Spiritual Approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which was released in July by Palgrave Macmillian. Here he shares his insights into what inspired the book, who he wrote it for, and what he hopes it will accomplish.
If you are interested in watching a discussion and Q&A with Dr. Cremer which was held at Woodbury, it is viewable for replay on YouTube.
What motivated/inspired you to write this book?
My primary motivation was from the intersection of my family life, my leadership experience, and my religious faith. I am of Sicilian and Scottish descent and my wife is African American. We have been married more than 37 years and have two daughters. Working through the problems of racism in America has been an intimate part of my life. As a former dean at Woodbury for more than 12 years, I often has to deal with issue of discrimination, both racist and sexist, at the university, and the techniques I developed of thorough listening and empathy, and yet holding firm values and direction I thought would be valuable for dealing with the heart of racism in this country. Lastly, my experience as a Roman Catholic deacon, ordained as a minister for more than 20 years now, would bring a spiritual dimension to the work that was often lacking in other efforts to provide guidance for antiracist leadership.
How would you summarize this book for potential readers?
This book I hope presents a new vision and strategy for a spiritual antiracism. I use the practice of seeing, choosing, and acting as a framework, examining how Christian spirituality, including interpretations of scripture and tradition, can assist us in the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Christian spirituality was also integral to developing and justifying an ideology of “white” supremacy and yet Christian spirituality has the potential for resisting and rejecting this same racism. Responding to the very idea of “race,” born from the ideology of racism and “white” supremacy, I try to show how to envision and implement a spiritual approach that respects both human dignity and individual distinctiveness. Understanding the fundamental value of human dignity as deeply rooted in the Christian tradition serves as one antidote for other readings of the tradition that can be used to justify oppression and segregation. The result, hopefully, is a new path for leaders and their followers to walk together, listening to and learning from each other, to form more just organizations and thus a more just society.
How did this book come about? How long did it take you to write it?
I started the initial ideas for the book about six years ago. The topic has been on my mind and heart for even longer, but I did not feel equipped to address it until now. There was too much to work through, especially my emotions regarding this work, that needed some maturity, I believe. Once I felt ready, I worked them out through a series of journal articles on leadership, liturgy, and racism, and a master’s thesis in theology at Loyola Marymount University in 2020. I also worked on them through a few seminars at Woodbury, one on American Slavery and the other on Racism and White Supremacy.
Who is your target audience?
I was writing for all those who feel challenged to do something about the pervasive racism in our society, who find our current actions moving in an endless circle of reform and reaction, where progress is slow and halting, and who might be looking for spiritual perspectives that can break this cycle by finding a new foundation for the work. The published, Palgrave Macmillan, focuses on faculty and students in business programs worldwide, so they are one obvious audience, but I was also looking to speak to those involved in leadership positions throughout the country, as well as this in ministry working with those suffering from discrimination and oppression.
What are you hoping this book achieves?
My hope is that the book provides a new perspective on antiracist efforts that gives readers a basis of hope and new ideas for perseverance. What has been missing in much of the writing on antiracist leadership is something that can sustain those of us engaged in this work, provide new insights on how to continue the work, and new approaches to bring people to conversion and insight. Antiracist work is more than policy and practice; it requires opening people’s hearts so that they can see the world as it is, choose another path, and move down that road together.
What opportunities has this book opened up for you?
So far, as the book just came out in the summer, the new opportunities are just emerging. I have been invited to speak about it with our new colleagues at the University of Redlands, with my existing colleagues in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and here at Woodbury. I am sure further opportunities will emerge as time goes by and more people are able to read the book.