How to support your black coworkers without adding more stress during this incredibly difficult time

• As protests condemning racial injustice and police brutality sweep the nation, many white and non-black workers may want to offer support to their black colleagues.
• Business Insider spoke with multiple black psychologists and doctors on how non-black people can support their peers at work, including what to say during these difficult times.
• Here are four actions that can help support black colleagues, including taking steps to educate yourself on racial issues and not forcing conversations.

Black Americans have long suffered oppression, violence, police brutality, and discrimination in the US. That long history is coming to the forefront of the national conversation as protests continue in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died after being violently restrained by a white police officer in Minnesota.

That conversation is especially coming up in workplaces across the country. Many white or non-black Americans are looking to offer their support to black colleagues. But it's important to do so in a sensitive manner, especially given that so many people are working remotely amid the coronavirus pandemic and are lacking face-to-face contact.

Before taking action, it's key to understand that this is a very difficult time to be black in America, says Beverly Tatum, a nationally recognized scholar and author of multiple books on race in America.

"I think many black people are experiencing fatigue. Of course, there's anger and frustration, but fatigue because it's not like this hasn't been going on forever," Tatum, who is also a licensed clinical psychologist, told Business Insider.

The second thing to realize is that you alone cannot fix years of oppression with a simple message to your coworkers.

"This is something that we all have to fix. And a lot of the issues are systemic: dealing with institutional racism, dealing with systems of oppression," said David Staten, a licensed clinical counselor and professor of rehabilitation counseling at South Carolina State University.

However, there are a number of actions you can take to make your black colleagues feel supported. And while you don't need to (and probably shouldn't) send a message to every black person you work with, experts told Business Insider it's worth reaching out to those with whom you work directly.

Check in with black colleagues and offer your support

Staten recommends white employees offer empathy and understanding. Here's an exact phrase Staten suggested:

"Hey, I understand that there's a lot going on. And I'm not sure if there's anything that I can do, but if there is something I can do, I'll be more than willing to extend myself or to be available to just listen."

Candice Nicole Hargons, practicing psychologist and assistant professor in the University of Kentucky's counseling psychology program, offered another possible email message you could send:

"I care about the Black Lives Matter movement. And I'm committing to staying involved whether it is popular or not. Here's what I've been doing ... Are there things you need personally that I can have your back on at work?"

Don't ask your black colleagues to explain complex racial issues to you

If you're curious about the history of racial injustice, slavery, police brutality, or other issues, don't put the burden on your black colleagues to explain these things to you. Asking seemingly innocuous questions could be exhausting or triggering, Tatum says.

Instead, begin by educating yourself, she says. Order books on the topic, watch informative videos, and read first-person accounts and op-eds from black thought leaders. Various national leaders have given out their recommendations for learning about race relations, among them former President Barack Obama.

The exception to this, however, is if you and a black colleague at work are good friends, Tatum says. If you are already close, you could ask your friend more detailed questions about current events. However, approach the conversation with sensitivity and understand they might not want to talk about it.

Don't force a conversation

Be mindful that some colleagues may not want to talk about these issues.

Staten says that even talking about police brutality, for example, can trigger symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.

"There's a feeling of hopelessness," Staten said. "No matter what we do in life, how successful we are, none of that really matters because our skin color in large part kind of colors how society views us."

Recognizing this is important because it makes you aware that what may seem like simple news items to you could gravely affect your coworker or friend.

Be an advocate against racism and call for more diversity programs in your office

"I think the biggest thing in creating that safe space is advocating for others," said Christen Johnson, a family physician in Columbus, Ohio, who is also a public health expert specializing in health equity. "It's the importance of inclusion: That they feel like they are safe to speak their mind. They are safe to be who they are. They are safe to not feel that being themselves naturally and authentically is going to get them attacked."

For example, if you're in a room of white colleagues and someone makes a comment about an interviewee's Afro-centric name, say something about it. Challenge stereotypes and unconscious bias, which are preconceived notions about people often based on their looks. Call out microaggressions, or subtly racist comments or questions, when you see them.

Advocate for the creation of employee resource groups if your company currently doesn't have any. These can be great spaces for workers of color and their allies to start important, ongoing conversations. In fact, a number of diversity and inclusion executives from top companies like Twitter, SAP, and LinkedIn previously told Business Insider that a core part of their fight against inequality has been expanding employee resource groups.

If there's a lack of diversity in your office, raise the issue with your HR representative or manager.

"A white person should think to themselves, 'What can I do to make a difference?'" Tatum said.

That's where the important work begins.