People resist because they think they’re losing something. In reality, they’re making room. Room for better opportunities, room for growth, and room for clarity. You can’t build a stronger future if you refuse to demolish the outdated past.

Jay Alderton

This quote adds to the notion that change is hard because we don’t know what lies ahead and inserts the idea that resistance to change can also be because we fear losing something we cherish — something we value like control or our place in community.

The fear of losing is really about the fear of being ‘less’.

Building a brighter future for ourselves, and especially others requires being able to let go of the things that put roadblocks in our path to being better.

Racism is one of those roadblocks.

Some people have never been able to truly let go of racism because of the of fear losing control over our place in community — that our ‘slice of the societal pie’ will somehow become less if we treat others like ourselves. So, we take opportunity to marginalize others to give us the false belief that we are better and more important.

Treating others with dignity and respect doesn’t diminish our own place or relevance. Respect doesn’t have a capacity limit.

Dave Eberwein

Racism has been a familiar topic of mine in The Power of Why:

• Be Vocal in Your Opposition to Racism (Dec 2022)
• RACISM – It’s Time to Talk (Nov 2022)
• “You People are So Inspiring” and Other Microaggressions (Oct 2022)
• Implicit Bias – Yup, I’m Talking About You (Feb 2022)

While these posts were back in 2022, I haven’t stopped thinking about the topic, as racism is still alive and well in our community — and in our schools.

As I watch the news, I find it incredibly disappointing to see the increasing frequency of intolerance and bigotry towards others — whether it’s directed at a particular culture, religion, gender identity, language, sexual orientation, financial status, country of birth or skin colour — and I’ve probably left out a few descriptors — the spewed hatred and stereotyping that is found on social media and even from some political leaders can be disheartening.

Racism: Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.

But, you may be sitting and thinking: “I’m not racist. This doesn’t apply to me.” Well, it does.

I don’t think I’ve ever met a person who believes they are racist — or, at least, anyone who claims to not have a ‘good reason’ to justify their bigotry. Believing one is not a racist is not the same as being anti-racist. And that’s an important distinction. If we are ever going to bring racism to its knees, especially in this time of social media antagonism, we all need to be ACTIVE in our anti-racism. We need to be visible in our disdain for intolerance, stereotyping, and bigotry.

It’s not OK to:

• Be silent in the presence of racism
• Let someone else take on the challenge of standing up for what’s right
• Be inconsistent with the values of respect, acceptance and love for one another

Here are some key identifiers of racism:

1. Stereotyping: Making generalized and often inaccurate assumptions about a group of people based on their race.
2. Discrimination: Treating people unfairly or unjustly because of their race.
3. Microaggressions: Subtle, often unintentional, comments or actions that can be hurtful or offensive to people of marginalized groups.
4. Hate Speech: Using derogatory or offensive language aimed at a particular race.
5. Systemic Racism: Institutional policies and practices that disproportionately affect certain racial groups.
6. Cultural Appropriation: Adopting elements of a marginalized culture without permission or understanding, often in a way that reinforces stereotypes.
7. Racial Profiling: Suspecting or targeting someone based on their race rather than their behavior.
8. Exclusion: Deliberately leaving out or ignoring people because of their race.
9. Colourism: Discrimination based on skin color, often within the same racial or ethnic group.
10. Implicit Bias: Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions.

If you are aware of what racism looks like you can challenge it when you see it, hear it or read it. Be active in your opposition to it.

Individually, we make a difference. Together, we make a movement.

Bring racism to its knees.

(With special thanks to Star Wars and the quote from Jedi-master Yoda)