Page 23 of The Aries Alliance
“I get it. There’s a lot of red tape to protect the organization. We don’t do a great job centering people.”
When I said that, she tilted her head and dropped her shoulders. Instead of the steely gaze from the morning, her eyes softened.
“How do you sleep at night knowing you’re working in a place that has no real intention to uplift our people? EFU is willing to sacrifice those who try to hold them accountable for their wrongdoing. Why be an overseer in such a rotten place?”
I reached for Scarlett’s hand and held it as I spoke.
“To make a living.”
When she frowned at me, I said, “I’m kidding. It’s more than that. Liberation means different things to different people. Although we, as a people, are highly educated and have come a long way since slavery and the Civil Rights movement, we aren’t free.”
Scarlett nodded.
“Yeah. Fear keeps us bound.”
“Exactly! Although I started my HR job wanting vengeance, I soon realized that if policies were applied the right way, they would save lives. Make people less fearful. That’s the version ofhuman resources I believe in. I want to see procedural justice implemented in our lifetime.”
Scarlett gave me a thumbs up.
“Agreed. A lot of folks at EFU play by corrupt rules and manipulate the system for clout. I’m tired of rotten apples throwing me under the bus.” Scarlett poked her lips out.
I rested my hand over hers.
“I get it. That’s another reason I want us to work together. It’s time, as my dad says, ‘to take back what the enemy stole from you.’ No one can erase you or your work if you don’t allow it to happen.”
Scarlett sighed.
“That sounds good, but I’m not so sure.”
“I want you to walk fully in your Harriet Tubman calling so we can do good work together.”
“It does sound like liberation, at least the way Black feminist Audre Lorde talks about it. She says we’ll never be able to dismantle the master’s house from within. So, you’re front and center in the master’s house, yet you’re trying to tear it down?”
I shook my head.
“No, Scarlett. I just want to take every tool I can and build new houses for people who never thought they could own property. Sometimes it’s enough to lay a solid foundation for others to build upon.”
Scarlett beamed.
“If you ever run for President of the United States, I’d love to be your campaign manager. God knows we need better leadership in DC.”
I winked at her.
“Let’s work on EFU first, then we can talk.”
I loved that Scarlett could joke despite the previous concern resting behind her almond-shaped eyes.
When we finally settled down and got to work, I stole glances at her. She furrowed her brow as we listed our strengths and opportunities. Each time she wrote something new on the oversized sticky note before us and pointed to our similarities, she bit her lower lip.
“I love that we’re both strategic.” Her eyes darted across the paper on the table.
I pulled a permanent marker from my work bag and put stars beside each of our best characteristics. Scarlett pointed to the word teamwork and smiled.
“Teamwork is about getting to know your people. This is a serious mission, so we need to trust each other. You know it’s about more than the plan, right?” Her eyes met mine.
“Yes. It’s about being attuned to each other at all times.”
Scarlett placed her hands in her lap and studied my face.
