How to Develop a Lifelong Antiracism Practice: A Guide to Becoming a Better Human to Other Humans
“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be antiracist.”
Angela Davis
As Americans, we live in a country that for over 400 years has told itself the lie that some humans’ lives are worth less than others. Made possible by this lie is disenfranchisement and exclusion, housing and schooling segregation, the prison-industrial complex, and the police murders of innocent, unarmed Black men and women. Whether we use Beverly Daniel Tatum’s metaphor of racist smog or Ibram X. Kendi’s of racist rain, just by virtue of living in this country, we have been conditioned with racist ideas since we were children.
To acknowledge this truth about our country requires a simultaneous acknowledgement of the need for antiracism, the need to dismiss neutrality as what it is (siding with the oppressor), and the need to actively fight racism. Following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmed Arbery, and Black Lives Matter protests, there has been a massive movement towards antiracist activism, education, and change. We’ve banded together, pooled our resources, and mobilized in a way reminiscent of the Civil Rights Movement. But unlike the Civil Rights Movement that lasted nearly two decades, our movement has already begun to fade.
“Fear of radical changes leads many citizens of our nation to betray their minds and hearts.”
bell hooks
This is not to say that individuals and organizations are not still doing incredible work on the front lines — but it is the average, well-meaning human (us), who have quieted, slowed down, backed off. Rather than choosing to lean into the war, we’ve retreated to what is familiar, safe, and comfortable. But it is in comfort that we are complacent, and in our complacency that we permit racist structures to continue their work of oppression. If there is to be lasting, meaningful change, we cannot demand it from our country without demanding it of ourselves. In order to create a society free of racism, we as individuals must commit to a lifetime of antiracism practice.
“The beauty of anti-racism is that you don’t have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it’s the only way forward.”
Ijeoma Oluo
The idea of committing to a life of antiracism might be overwhelming — I know it was to me. As I read and listened, I found myself terrified of what I was taking on and wondering if I was strong or capable enough to handle the path I had chosen. But as I continued, I learned that to practice antiracism does not mean we must know everything about racism current and past, nor does it mean we must have every answer for every tough question. It does not mean we can never slip up or make a mistake or get bone-tired. It does not mean we can’t step back and take care of ourselves before picking up the mantle again. Antiracism, it turns out, is not a call for perfection, but a call for growth.
“I tell people all the time that the work of anti-racism is the work of becoming a better human to other humans.”
Austin Channing Brown
In the words of Austin Channing Brown, antiracism is the work of becoming. It is the work of learning, relearning, and unlearning. It is the work of being connected and in community. It is the work of sitting in discomfort and making space for others to do the same. It is the work of calling in rather than calling out. It is the work of care, empathy, humanization, justice, and love. To have a lifelong antiracism practice is to strive to become a better human to other humans every single day.
“I don’t want your love and light if it doesn’t come with solidarity and action. I have no interest in passive empathy.”
Rachel Cargle
In my own journey of antiracism, I’ve found value in a circle. It’s never-ending, and encourages us to move from one phase to another, knowing that we’ll revisit what worked and what didn’t, constantly improving. As you read their descriptions, I urge you to think deeply about each of these steps and where you’ve spent the most time, where you’ve burned out, and where you have yet to go.
Phase 1: Commit to this journey. Remind yourself of the crucial importance of this work, its alignment to your values, the roles you currently have, and the roles you can aspire to. This commitment can take any form, including but not limited to a meditation, a journal entry, a conversation with friend, or a single thought: I commit to a lifetime of antiracism practice.
Phase 2: Learn. Just as it’s important to listen before we speak, it’s important to learn before we act. Read, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, engage in discussions. Take time to absorb, process, reflect, feel. It is in this phase that I tend to spend a great deal of time, but it is also where I get bogged down, overwhelmed by the vastness of it all — the more I learn, the more I realize I need to learn. When I notice this in myself, it’s time to take a deep breath and move onto Phase 3.
Phase 3: Act. This step can be scary, exciting, or a little bit of both. What I find helpful during this phase is: (1) starting small, and (2) leaning on the experts. Maybe it’s a donation. Maybe it’s volunteering. Maybe it’s finally having that conversation with Uncle Ben that you’ve been avoiding every holiday. Antiracism experts and activists have advice on all of these, and much more. If you’re ready for something bigger than a single action, connect with those on the front lines. Stay up-to-date, and align your unique gifts with what is needed. If you feel stuck and you’re not sure what to do, you can always head back to Phase 2 and keep learning about the work being done.
Phase 4: Reflect. This step makes all the rest possible. Without honest reflection, we are not able to continue to grow and do better, nor are we taking care of ourselves and our needs. Ask yourself what went well, what didn’t. Ask yourself what you felt called to, held back by. Ask yourself how you are doing — really doing. And regardless of that final answer, move to Phase 5.
Phase 5: Rest. It can feel selfish to rest and take care of yourself when there is such urgent need, but remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. When you commit to a lifetime of antiracism practice, you will have the time you need to play your part. Burnout is one of the biggest reasons people walk away from this work, so self-care (whatever that means to you), must be a part of your circle. When your cup is full again, it’s time to head back to Phase 1.
“The good news is that racist and antiracist are not fixed identities. We can be a racist one minute and an antiracist the next. What we say about race, what we do about race, in each moment, determines what — not who — we are.”
Ibram X. Kendi
If my research, experience, and reflection has taught me anything, it’s taught me that humans are not and can never be perfect, but we can be better. We should not expect to suddenly arrive at the destination of an antiracist. Instead, it is a lifelong journey of striving to be better and do better every single day.
Decide that today is the day you are going to start your lifelong journey of antiracism. Know that there will be twists and turns, rises and dips. You will get lost at times, lonely at others. You may even forget why you chose this hard road in the first place. But your goal will serve as a light through even the toughest moments: becoming a better human to other humans is our work, and it is a never-ending call.
References
· Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverley Daniel Tatum
· How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
