2021 Equity Challenge Day 20: Building a Culture of Anti-Racism and Allyship

In working towards equity and justice, Ibram Kendi notes that it’s not enough to simply be “not racist.” Rather, one must be anti-racist: a conscious decision to make frequent, consistent, proactive choices in support of equity. This involves understanding history, being aware of one’s own position in a racist society, and taking action that benefits marginalized communities.

An article from the National Museum of African American History & Culture says, “Being anti-racist is different for white people than it is for people of color. For white people, being anti-racist evolves with their racial identity development. They must acknowledge and understand their privilege, work to change their internalized racism, and interrupt racism when they see it. For people of color, it means recognizing how race and racism have been internalized, and whether it has been applied to other people of color.”

The concepts we learn in developing our own anti-racism can also help us to support other social groups who experience injustice. Over the past week, we’ve examined inequities that are specific to women, immigrants, refugees, the LGBTQ community and people with disabilities. Practicing anti–racism increases our ability to identify and dismantle inequities for minority communities all across our society.

Today’s challenge invites us to learn more about the work of antiracism and how we can become allies for marginalized groups.