Understanding Racism

What is Racism?
Racism happens when a person or a system believes that a certain race is better or less than another race. Racism can be defined as hatred of a person or belief that a person is less than human - based on their skin color, language, place of birth or any cultural custom they follow.
What is Colorism?
Colorism is discrimination based on skin color, more specifically the preference that is given to individuals with lighter skin. This is a form of racism that is becoming widely identified as endorsing the white standards of beauty and acceptance, thereby creating more incidences of oppression for people of color with darker skin tones.
What is an Anti-Racist?
A person who is actively looking to raise their consciousness and awareness of race and racism, as well as taking appropriate action when there is a clear knowledge of inequality of power.
Systemic Racism
Systemic Racism refers to the way ideas of white supremacy are enforced within everyday thinking at a societal level, rather than through the lens of one-on-one interactions. Racism is identified in law and policies that include, but are not limited to, education, hiring practices and access. Systemic racism shows up in the following areas:
  • The wealth gap
  • Employment
  • Housing discrimination
  • Government
  • Prison systems
  • Drug arrest
  • Immigration policy
Video Series
An 8-part video series that explains how systemic racism shows up in our lives in commonly shared parts of daily life such as employment, housing and government. | Watch Video Series
Implicit Bias
Implicit Bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. If a person is exposed to a negative stereotype of a marginalized group, implicit bias would impact their decisions, perceptions and behaviors against that group. This unconscious evaluation creates barriers to equity and opportunity for individuals of marginalized groups, such as those of a BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) identity.
 
True progress in antiracist work can only come when white people acknowledge their biases via their privileges. This includes letting go of the perspective of "I am not racist", and instead recognizing and accepting ingrained bias that can be unlearned.
Microaggressions
Microaggressions are a subtle and sneaky form of racist stereotyping in the form of slurs that can be either intentional or unintentional, and even sometimes with good intentions. However, these types of slurs communicate messages that are hostile and derogatory to the person they are being directed towards, and are often done in a way that is barely noticeable. Examples of microaggressions would be such comments:
  • "You don't sound Black"
  • "I am not racist. I have a Black friend."
  • "All lives matter."
  • "Don't blame me, I never owned slaves."
  • "White privilege doesn't exist."
For Further Reading
 
Anti-Defamation League
George Floyd, Racism and Law Enforcement. Table Talk: Family Conversations about Current Events | Website
 
CNN
Dear anti-racist allies: Here's how to respond to micro aggressions | Read Article
 
Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
Implicit Bias Training | Website
 
KQED
'People Will Insist That They are Not Racist': Robin DiAngelo on 'White Fragility' and the Way Forward | Read Article
 
National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ)
Colorism | Website
 
The Conversation
Explainer: What is systemic racism and institutional racism? | Read Article
 
ThoughtCo - Lifelong Learning
The Roots of Colorism, or Skin Tone Discrimination | Read Article