13 Defining Anti-racism

“The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify it and describe it–and then dismantle it.” –Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist

Before we define anti-racism, it’s important we all have a baseline understanding of race. Biologically, race doesn’t exist, but is socially constructed as a means of categorizing people. The American Association of Physical Anthropologists explains, the “Western concept of race must be understood as a classification system that emerged from, and in support of, European colonialism, oppression, and discrimination. It thus does not have its roots in biological reality, but in policies of discrimination.” Now that we have an understanding of race as a social construct, we will explore how race is used to perpetuate inequities, and learn how we can begin this work of dismantling racism.

How do we define anti-racism?

• “The work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life” – Race Forward
• The “active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably.” – from the National Action Committee on the Status of Women International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity
• “The term ‘antiracist’ refers to people who are actively seeking not only to raise their consciousness about race and racism, but also to take action when they see racial power inequities in everyday life.” – Anneliese A. Singh

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist, explains that our job isn’t to be “not racist” but rather, the work of antiracism requires constant evaluation and challenging of systems and practices around us that perpetuate inequities.

Please watch the following interview with Dr. Kendi who explains the difference between being “not racist” and anti-racist (video begins at 1:58 mark, please watch through 3:55).

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi TED Talk 2020. The difference between being “not racist” and antiracist provided under CC BY–NC–ND 4.0

Why is it difficult to talk about race?

Discussions about race are sometimes difficult and can even be uncomfortable. In an effort to avoid saying the “wrong” thing, we may avoid discussions about race altogether. Attempts at colorblindness and not seeing race, or avoiding discussing race is harmful in that it ignores the way racism has impacted and continues to impact our society and individual lives. Robin DiAngelo characterizes those complicated and varied emotions about race as racial stress, and implores us to respond and investigate racial stress, rather than avoid it. We must lean into the discomfort, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, move away from defensiveness, and listen and learn with openness. This work is iterative and isn’t always easy, yet so very necessary.

Defining Other Key Terms

Race

Race is a social and historical category produced through power relations and necessary for the construction of difference – difference that is frequently explained in dominant discourses as “innate inferiority/superiority”  (Ng, 1993; Omi & Winant, 1998).

Racism 

Racism is a system of dominance, where the group in power determines the social positioning of other groups as inferior through processes of exclusion, vilification, and violence. (Bonilla-Silva, 2014)

White Supremacy

The conscious and unconscious belief in the superiority of white people, culture, and eurocentric norms that have been embedded into society. (Bonilla-Silva, 2014)

Privilege

Unearned advantages that result from group memberships with a dominate social group. (Derman-Sparks, Edwards, & Goins, 2020)

Equity

• “Equity is grounded in the principle of fairness. In higher education, equity refers to ensuring that each student receives what they need to be successful through the intentional design of the college experience.” –Achieving the Dream, Equity Statement
• “Equity refers to achieving parity in student educational outcomes, regardless of race and ethnicity.” –Center for Urban Education, Equity and Student Success
• Equity refers to the intentional practice of identifying the unique needs within our diverse student and employee populations, and in turn providing the support necessary for each individual to succeed in their academic and career goals.  Institutional equity entails analyzing policies and practices to determine disproportionate impact to specific populations, and adjusting. WTCS Diversity Equity and Inclusion Charter

Unconscious Bias

• Prejudice or judgements that occur automatically as the brain rapidly makes assessments based on past experiences and information we have gathered. Unconscious bias is the opposite of deliberate prejudice (explicit bias) and often displayed “toward minority groups based on factors such as class, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, religious beliefs, age, disability and more” (Vanderbilt University)