White supremacy is not just a problem of extremist groups or individuals. It is a system of oppression that pervades every aspect of our society, from education to health care to criminal justice. It is a system that benefits white people at the expense of people of color, and that perpetuates racial inequality and violence.
To dismantle white supremacy, we need to understand how it operates and how we are complicit in it. We need to challenge the ideologies and practices that uphold it, and work towards creating a more just and equitable world for all. We need to be actively anti-racist.What does it mean to be actively anti-racist? According to The Atlantic, "anti-racism is harmful to white people" is one of the basic mantras of white-supremacist ideology. Anti-racism, on the contrary, is beneficial to everyone, because it exposes and confronts the root causes of injustice and oppression. Anti-racism is not just a belief or a sentiment; it is an action and a commitment.
Being actively anti-racist means:
- Educating ourselves about the history and present of white supremacy and systemic racism, and how they affect different groups of people in different ways.
- Recognizing our own privilege and biases, and how they contribute to the maintenance and reproduction of white supremacy.
- Listening to and amplifying the voices and experiences of people of color, especially those who are most marginalized and oppressed by white supremacy.
- Speaking up and taking action against racism and discrimination, both in our personal lives and in our communities.
- Supporting and joining movements and organizations that are working to dismantle white supremacy and promote racial justice.
- Holding ourselves and others accountable for our actions and words, and being open to learning and growing from our mistakes.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways that we can be actively anti-racist in our everyday lives. We will also share some resources and tips that can help us on our journey towards dismantling white supremacy.
How to be actively anti-racist in our everyday lives:
- Read books, articles, podcasts, documentaries, etc. that educate us about white supremacy and systemic racism, and that center the perspectives of people of color. Some examples are: How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi; Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad; 13th by Ava DuVernay; Code Switch by NPR; etc.
- Engage in critical self-reflection and dialogue with others about our own privilege and biases, and how they affect our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and relationships. Some questions we can ask ourselves are: How do I benefit from white supremacy? How do I perpetuate or challenge white supremacy? How do I interact with people who are different from me? How do I respond to racism when I witness or experience it?
- Seek out and support diverse voices and stories in the media, arts, culture, etc. that celebrate the richness and diversity of human experiences. Some examples are: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas; The Half of It by Alice Wu; Black Panther by Ryan Coogler; Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda; etc.
- Participate in events, campaigns, protests, etc. that raise awareness and demand action on issues related to white supremacy and systemic racism. Some examples are: Black Lives Matter; Stop Asian Hate; Indigenous Peoples Day; etc.
- Donate to or volunteer for organizations that are working to dismantle white supremacy and promote racial justice. Some examples are: The Equal Justice Initiative; The NAACP Legal Defense Fund; The ACLU; etc.
These are just some of the ways that we can be actively anti-racist in our everyday lives. There are many more ways that we can learn from others who are doing this work. The important thing is to start somewhere, and to keep going.
Dismantling white supremacy is not an easy or quick task. It requires courage, persistence, humility, solidarity, and hope. It requires us to unite for equality and justice. It requires us to be actively anti-racist.
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