DAY 1: Give up not knowing what racism is
So what exactly is racism? It can be challenging to find a definition as so many of them are not robust enough in their description. One of the ones I favour is from Asa Hillard.
“Racism is a system that encompasses economic, political, social, and cultural structures, actions, and beliefs that institutionalize and perpetuate an unequal distribution of privileges, resources and power between White people and people of Color. This system is historic, normalized, taken for granted, deeply embedded, and works to the benefit of whites and to the disadvantage of people of color” (Hilliard, 1992).
Racism has two main actors, white folks and people of colour. This is one of the very important ways that it differs from prejudice and bias, which people often confuse racism with.
A couple of other things to lift up is that racism impacts and in some cases is foundational to economic, political and cultural structures. Much of what is racist is actually experienced as normal to white identified folks
Whereas, those who are left disadvantaged by racism, are barraged with dehumanising behaviour that is meant to reduce who they are.
Racism is not bias or prejudice. Both bias and prejudice operate at the interpersonal level. Racism is systemic and more endemic.
How it differs from prejudice:
(1): preconceived judgment or opinion
(2): an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge
Racism vs Prejudice: What’s the difference?: https://www.thoughtco.com/racism-vs-prejudice-3026086
How is bias different?
Bias is prejudice applied
Prejudice (preconceived opinion) in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.
We can all demonstrate bias, we can all be prejudice, we can all practice discrimination, but we cannot all be racist
TIP: When the idea of reverse racism or other myths associated with racism is raised, be knowledged.