You Must Address Racism by Being Intentionally Anti-racist in Every Aspect of Your Life
This post is for anyone who wants to be anti-racist but wonders how to start.
As a white (or anyone aspiring towards whiteness) person living in a society with a long history of taught racism, it is crucial to recognize that you are not exempt from perpetuating it. Racism is not only perpetuated by explicit actions but also by our inaction and silence in the face of racism. Therefore, it is imperative that we actively work to be anti-racist in every aspect of our lives.
So, what does it mean to be anti-racist? Being anti-racist means actively working to dismantle racism in all forms. It requires us to acknowledge and challenge our biases, educate ourselves about the realities of systemic racism, and take action to support racial justice. Your effort could be through personal activities or systemic change.
One way to be intentionally anti-racist is to educate ourselves about racism and its impact on individuals and communities. This step includes reading books and articles by authors of color, listening to podcasts and lectures, and engaging in difficult conversations with people who have experienced racism. We all have enshrined in us some version of privilege. However, white, wealthy male privilege is at the top. It is essential to recognize that white people have not experienced the same level of discrimination and barriers that people of color have faced and that their privilege has allowed them to benefit from systemic racism. White people must acknowledge their liberty and how it has contributed to systemic racism.
Another way to be anti-racist is to take action to support racial justice. This endeavor can include donating to organizations that support communities of color, volunteering with organizations that work to dismantle racism, and using our voice and platform to advocate for change. You should never vote for a politician that has not exhibited how they will be anti-racist. Without an anti-racist agenda, voters should immediately disqualify them, regardless of race or gender. This principle goes to any office from local government, law enforcement, legislative and judicial systems to the President of the United States.
It is essential to work to dismantle the systems that perpetuate racism actively rather than simply trying to be “colorblind” or treating everyone the same. Racism and its impact exist, and pretending it’s all lovely-smelling roses will not help improve your society. When in a position to hire or promote a brown person for a job, especially when the job clearly requires someone with the cultural competency to understand all cultures, hire a brown person. The majority of brown people have to maneuver both the white and non-white world to survive, so they have the knowledge and the skills much more than many white people, where life always works out for them.
Additionally, we must challenge racism when we see it, whether through calling out racist comments or behaviors from friends, family, teachers, or colleagues (subordinate or superior) or advocating for policies that promote real racial justice. Silence in the face of racism is collaboration and cowardice. We must actively work to disrupt racism in our communities and our society as a whole. Racism should be seen as a scourge to society, and people who discriminate must understand that the general society around them does not accept that behavior. They learned to be racist. Then can learn to be anti-racist.
Being intentionally anti-racist requires us to take action in every aspect of our lives. It means acknowledging our privilege and working to dismantle the systems that perpetuate racism, educating ourselves and others, and taking action to support racial justice. By actively working to be anti-racist, we can create a more just and equitable society. Let’s get to work.
If you want to start learning about racism, its origin, and what you can do about it, grab a copy of my book from this Amazon link. For other also excellent books on racism, check out this Amazon link.
