On Anti-racism

We are all swimming in a culture of racism. It is so pervasive that we can’t recognize it when it is up close to our faces. It is an ancient system of oppression that reinforces the power of white people over black people and people of colour. It is founded on the principle of white superiority, that being white is normal and desirable.

Racism has evolved and re-shaped itself to be more covert and subtle than ever before. Traditionally we think of racism as being intentional acts of violence and injustice against black people and people of colour. It is easy for white people to deny their racism when we define racism in this way. Rather, racism is a system that we are all part of and socialized into. It is not a question of if we have racist behaviors but how do those racist behaviors and patterns present themselves.

Denying our racism through upholding ideals like being “colour-blind” and being “a good person” actually keeps racism in place. If a person of colour brings to attention a racist behaviour, that person is in a disadvantaged and risky position. It is too easy for the white person with the racist behavior to defend themselves. They can use their white privilege to ignore or deny the experience of the person of colour. That denial of the person of colour’s experience is deeply unjust and rooted in racism.

The avoidance of talking about racism or acknowledging our racist patterns is part of the phenomenon of white fragility. In her book “White Fragility”, Robin Diangelo talks in depth about white fragility and how it pervades our culture. It is far more comfortable for a white person to deny or defend their position than it is to look at their own racist behaviors. White fragility and all of the emotions that come with it- guilt, fear, anger, or disgust- keeps racism in place by not allowing us to see, question, or address the racist behaviors.

If white people all have racist patterns, how can we (white people) address them and move forward? First, we can read up on racism, white supremacy, and white fragility. We can talk to other white people about racism and help each other to identify racist patterns. We can listen to people of colour who bring to attention a problematic racial bias or discrimination and seek to make amends. Black people and people of colour have been raising awareness about racism for centuries and so there is plenty of material. Diangelo discourages seeking advice from people of colour directly, especially a person we don’t know, as it is a very taxing subject and much can be learned through the written word and self-reflection.

I acknowledge that, as a white person, I have my own racial biases and prejudices and I have occasionally discriminated against people of colour without intending to do so. I acknowledge that I benefit from the institutionalization of racism. The best thing that I can do is to acknowledge that I have these racial patterns and commit to becoming more aware of them. I can do my best to stop these racial patterns in myself, even though it will be very difficult. Every time a person of colour points out a racial behavior to me I can put aside my reactive emotions and listen deeply. I can reflect with another white person whom I trust. I can build meaningful, authentic relationships with people of colour. From time to time, I can also seek advice from my husband, a person of colour, whom I trust.

About the article:

I wrote this article as a way to begin to integrate what I have been learning from an exceptional book titled "White Fragility” by Robin Diangelo. It is an exercise in reflecting on my own involvement in racism as it is defined by Diangelo, as a system. It is also a response to a recent event in my circle which has given me experience in applying what I am learning about white fragility. The event and this book together have fueled my desire to contribute to anti-racism.

Stock Snap photo by Soroush Karimi