“A Few Bad Apples”? Why That Narrative Protects Power More Than People

“Can you help my executive leadership team understand that systemic racism isn’t just about bad people doing racist things, i.e. bad apples?”

It’s the question I hear the most.

It assumes the problem is one of explanation: if only leaders really understood that systemic racism is not just interpersonal behaviour, not just a handful of rogue managers or employees, then things would change.

But here’s my counter-perspective. In most cases (yes, there are always a few exceptions, but work with me here), the issue is not a lack of understanding.

The real problem is that the “bad apples” story protects the system itself, and we often fail to grasp just how much people are willing to invest in keeping that narrative alive. This article shares how and why.

Full disclosure: it’s a longer thought piece, so grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and settle in. I needed to give this sufficient depth and also give you time to process throughout.

It's one of dem ones where you know when people say it's not that deep? In this instance, my response is nah mate, it is that deep, trust me.

And if this isn’t enough to persuade you to read it, let me try with this:

Instead of asking “How can I get them to understand?” the sharper question is “What does the bad apples narrative make possible for leaders and organisations who keep repeating it…even when they know better?”