By Frank J. Diekmann
So, whattaya think? Will it really be different this time?
In the wake of the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department, the video of which has drawn outraged attention and sparked protests around the U.S. and the world, the credit union community wasted no time taking to the ramparts and issuing strong statements against racism and in support of taking action.
The thing is, we’ve all heard this before.
Frankly, I can’t tell you how many times over the years, always in the aftermath of yet another tragic example of racism in the country, I’ve written stories and columns and done interviews with well-intentioned credit union leaders pledging to do something to make a difference. Be a difference.
Looks Familiar
There’s always a lot of fanfare, press releases and sometimes even press conferences, accompanying whichever initiative is the new float in the parade, and this time around at least the first plays in the playbook look familiar. Among the efforts I’ve taken to the keyboards to document have been programs aimed at increasing the number of African-Americans in management at CUs—including getting to future managers while still in college; plans to have credit union boards more accurately mirror their memberships, and, most recently, to embrace the full spectrum of diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI.
I recall my early days covering credit unions when I pretty much represented the prime credit union management demographic—white guys. Now when I look around, I see I still pretty much represent that very same demo, but as the photo accompanying this column illustrates, these days I’m getting closer to being able to check off the prime CU board demographic, too.
Last week, the CUNA board passed a resolution against structural racism, saying it is committing to creating a pathway to change within the credit union system.
“We can and should do more to listen, learn, speak up, and take action to help dismantle racial disparities,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle in a statement and on Twitter. “Given CUNA’s leadership role within the credit union movement, it is far past time that we speak out and support efforts to break down the systems that enable racism. We look forward to working with the Leagues and system partners, including the African American Credit Union Coalition, to deliver meaningful change in the credit union system and — most importantly — the lives of credit union members.”
A Deadline for Action
To its credit, CUNA has given itself a deadline of August 10 to commit to “action” rather than taking the easy way out and saying a couple of tweets represent mission accomplished.
What that specific action will be, it didn’t say, and given how quickly after the death of Mr. Floyd CUNA announced its statement, it’s to be expected.
CUNA now has eight weeks to put its plan together, and just as we/I have had in the past, we’ll have coverage come August. In the meantime, individual credit unions and their leaders can’t allow the CUNA announcement to give themselves a pass. You need to be acting, too.
After all, grassroots and advocacy aren’t just limited to politics. Whattayasay, can you make a real difference this time?
Frank J. Diekmann is Cooperator in Chief at CUToday.info. He can be reached at Frank@CUToday.info or @FrankCUToday.