Being an Ally: A Guide to Anti-racism
What is anti-racism, and how can we be anti-racist?
What is racism?
Racism is when someone is mean to, or unfair to, another person because of their race or ethnicity. This can be on a personal level, like a bully calling someone a name. But it can also be a bigger problem in society. An example of this is when people from certain ethnic groups are treated unfairly by the police. Racism is about more than just being unkind. It is about systems of power where one group is favoured over another.
Sometimes, people who are not racist still benefit from racism. They might have more advantages in life just because of the colour of their skin. This is called privilege.
What is anti-racism?
Being anti-racist is about taking action. It means you don’t just say, “I’m not racist.” You actively work to stop racism. It’s about spotting racism and doing something about it, like being willing to speak up when you see racism happening. Anti-racism is a powerful idea that is all about making things fair for everyone.
How is anti-racism different from being “not racist”?
Being “not racist” is a good start, but it’s not enough. It’s like saying you aren’t a bad person, but this alone doesn’t mean you are a good person. Being “not racist” means you don’t do mean things to others. Being “anti-racist” means you actively help others and work to make things better.
If you see someone being bullied, being “not racist” means you don’t join in, but being “anti-racist” means you stand up for them. You tell the bully to stop, or you tell a teacher. You are being an ally.
What can we do?
- Listen – Listen to what people from different backgrounds have to say about their experiences and believe them. Don’t tell them their experiences aren’t real.
- Learn – Understand why racism is important. Read books and articles from different authors. Watch documentaries and films. This helps you to understand why it still affects people today.
- Speak out – If you see something racist happening, say something. It can be scary, but it’s important. If you can’t speak up at that moment, report it later.
- Teach – Educate others by telling your friends and family what you’ve learned. Help them to understand.
- Think – Reflect on your own actions and thoughts. Do you have any hidden biases? A bias is a leaning towards or against something. For example, maybe you believe a certain group of people are always good at sports – this is a bias. We need to be aware of our biases so we can stop them from affecting how we treat others. By doing these things, you are helping to create a fairer world for everyone.
