Vernā Myers Quotes

It would be nice to be [treated by the majority group like] an individual, and not the spokesperson or cultural resource for your people.

Privilege: Once you see it, you can use it to help other people. Interrupt bias on behalf of someone else.

We want the straightest gay people, and the whitest black people. We want that first-generation immigrant to act like they've been chilling in this place forever.

Embracing inclusion requires "the institution's ability to fully integrate its understanding of and appreciation for the diverse cultures and backgrounds of its employees.

We have so many ways to favor those in the "in group" while excluding those who aren't, including keeping them in their place with subtle but often intentional "micro inequities." Regardless of the intention, the pain and the impact is the same.

I have always been drawn to the idea of unconscious biases and blind spots and what happens in our unconscious mind. "Our brains are highly habitual. Our brains start reaching conclusions without immediately telling us that it's doing so," she said. "It's looking for things that go together; 'what have I been habituated to understand goes together?' We're backing up and moving toward people in social situations all the time.

After musicians started auditioning for orchestras from behind curtains, "the number of women in top U.S. orchestras increased five-fold.

What we learned after Michael Brown was shot is that police officers are deeply ingrained with erroneous ideas about who's dangerous. Looking at pictures of black kids, they're adding four years to their age, and are told that 'black people are crazy strong and have crazy [levels of] pain tolerance.

I think you've already said the wrong thing by not saying anything.

It’s hard to step away from the company and this role because of how much I love Netflix and the people here. I’m so excited for the talented Wade Davis who will be taking the lead of the I&D work along with our incredible Inclusion Strategy team and I can’t wait to see the continued progress we all will make together.

Don't allow colleagues to say offensive things without interrupting them. Intervene and be an ally. Don't laugh at offensive jokes. Be responsible for the success of at least one or maybe two people.

Biases are the stories we make up about people before we learn who they are. They are especially apparent when things are high-risk, or you have to make quick decisions.

We were all the same, and then you had the nerve to be different.

I will be returning to my consulting company working across global organizations and industries, while continuing to advise Netflix.

Look at your Facebook feed, look at your Twitter feeds, and consider how diverse they are. Build relationships across differences. Get closer. Get uncomfortable.