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TIPS FOR CHALLENGING RACISM

With social movements like “Black Lives Matter,” “All Lives Matter,” and “Blue Lives Matter,” discussions about race and racism have moved to the forefront when dissecting the problems America faces on its own soil. If any one of these movements have caused self-reflection or even pain, it’s time to start having difficult conversations about race in our society.

Self-reflection can lead to uncomfortable truths about your family’s past or even your own. On the other hand, you or your family might have experienced racism and the wounds still run deep and can be very painful. Recognizing racism is the first step in combating or challenging it, but there are many more ways to stand up to racism.

ACKNOWLEDGE THAT RACISM EXISTS

When challenging racism, you must first raise your own awareness of any biases, stereotypes, or anger you might be harboring. You must acknowledge that racism does exist, and it can affect people of any race or nationality. Throughout the years, there have been anti-discrimination laws passed, and there is even a statute that recognizes hate crimes, which are crimes that seem to be motivated by bias against race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability.

Despite these laws, racism still rears its ugly head in America, and our main goal should be to change minds and hearts instead of creating laws.

WIDEN YOUR CIRCLE

When you decide who is going to be in your inner circle, make sure you have people of a different race, sexuality, gender, or religion. Interacting with people who are different from you and working with people of other races can help you gain insight into their cultures and how they live.

WIDEN YOUR CIRCLE

When you listen to people that are different from you, you will learn more than if you are talking. Take advantage of having friends of other races and listen to what they have to say, especially if they have experienced racism firsthand. And, don’t ask someone to educate you on racism. That really isn’t their job. Educate yourself by listening with an empathetic heart, and look inward to see if you have done any of those same things they are describing, even if there wasn’t any negative intent. Seemingly innocuous racist jokes might not offend you but can cause damage to others.

FIND AN ORGANIZATION IN YOUR LOCAL AREA

Activism can start in your own home town. Get involved with an anti-racism organization near you because you don’t need to be a part of a national organization in order to make a difference. Get involved and introduce yourself to the entire body of people as a “Racism Stinks” ally.

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Educate yourself about other races as well. Learn about the history of racism and discrimination, and strive to learn more about what other people are experiencing today. You can do this by reading books, watching movies, and reading news stories that describe other people’s experiences, but make sure they are historically accurate so you know the entire story and its context.

Be sure to get your news from a variety of sources. Don’t just watch the same TV news channel or read from the same newspaper. This will only give you one side of the coin, and there are always two sides. There are many ways to tell the same story, and you should get as many differing views as possible in order to form your own opinion.

Get out of your comfort zone and do something uncomfortable. Join a club, volunteer with an organization, or attend an anti-racism event. Then, you have no choice but to interact with people that are different from you, and you will be glad you did. Attending cultural events and festivals in areas away from where you live can also educate you about different cultures and concerns.

OPEN OR JOIN A LOCAL CHAPTER IN YOUR AREA

Racism Stinks will be announcing new local chapters in the immediate future. Follow us on social media to learn more. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

REMEMBER: IT TAKES US ALL

Together, we will change the world.

TIPS FOR CHALLENGING RACISM

ACKNOWLEDGE THAT RACISM EXISTS

WIDEN YOUR CIRCLE

WIDEN YOUR CIRCLE

FIND AN ORGANIZATION IN YOUR LOCAL AREA

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

OPEN OR JOIN A LOCAL CHAPTER IN YOUR AREA

REMEMBER: IT TAKES US ALL

GET IN TOUCH

RECEIVE NEWS & EVENTS
FROM #racismstinks.

TIPS FOR CHALLENGING RACISM

ACKNOWLEDGE THAT RACISM EXISTS

WIDEN YOUR CIRCLE

WIDEN YOUR CIRCLE

FIND AN ORGANIZATION IN YOUR LOCAL AREA

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

OPEN OR JOIN A LOCAL CHAPTER IN YOUR AREA

REMEMBER: IT TAKES US ALL

GET IN TOUCH

RECEIVE NEWS & EVENTS FROM #racismstinks.

RECEIVE NEWS & EVENTS
FROM #racismstinks.