What Does It Mean To Be Antiracist Anyway?
Back in the day, when we addressed racism, things seemed a little more, well, black and white.
Either you were racist. Or you weren't. And for the most part, everyone was pretty clear on what these two polar opposites looked like. Spend your time gathering with other like minded folks who favored white hoods and terrorizing Black families with burning crosses? Conventional wisdom probably identified you as racist. Horrified by this behavior? Then probably not a racist.
Today we need more.
Welcome to the antiracism movement, which changes the definition of what it means to be an advocate. Think of it as a verb. It's a way of being. Being antiracist demands that we as individuals actively commit to eradicating racism. And, at first, this might feel a little different than what we're all used to. You might even feel attacked or defensive at first, especially if you are entrenched in the belief that: "I'm not racist." But it is important to realize that antiracism isn't accusing you of having racist beliefs. It's asking you to stop operating from the passive idea that simply not bringing more harm to people is enough to solve the problem. Instead, antiracism asks you to actively join the fight for justice, instead of standing by quietly.
Antiracism demands that we speak up. That we are active participants in the process. It means we don’t stand by when there are opportunities to address individuals or situations that get ugly, even if Grandma is the one telling the racist joke. It takes courage because at times being antiracist may make us and others around us feel uncomfortable. But that's exactly what is needed to help change the world. People's lives are often literally threatened by racism and our society’s racist structures and we need action to change things.
How can you help? First, you'll need a willingness to open your eyes to what’s going on. To educate yourself. And more importantly, to believe people when they tell you their story. To be empathetic. Being antiracist requires that we see the individuality in people and are able to treat each person as their own entity instead of viewing them as a representation of a group or stereotype. Antiracists believe all racial groups are equal regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, because this pursuit of equality leads to equity for everyone.
Antiracism is a marathon. It requires a lifelong mindset, that all of us are capable of, but it starts with the desire to commit to making the world equitable for everyone. It's time to start training.