We can't seem to watch the news without hearing stories about hate crimes, riots, and even police violence linked to racism. However, what exactly is racism, and what can we do to combat it? Learning about racism and being aware of its effects is the first step to combating it when you face it in person, when you witness racist or discriminatory acts, or when race and racism are topics of conversation in the media.
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Method 1 of 4: Dealing with Racism Targeted at You
Step 1. Know that you are not overreacting
Like violent acts, brief and often unintentional acts of racial discrimination (otherwise known as microaggressions) may not seem like a problem to most people, but if you're bothered by it, it should stop.
Research shows that dark-skinned people experience racial microaggression on a daily basis, but the perpetrator almost always denies that he or she has done anything wrong or that his actions are based on racial differences. It can make dark-skinned people feel that they are only imagining or worry that if they say something, their suffering will not be acknowledged as a result of denial
Step 2. Get out of the way
If you experience microaggression or more overt racist violence, put your needs first. You can choose to step aside. You don't have to deal with people like that.
Improving the personality of the perpetrator is not the task of victims of racism. Engaging in conversations about racism is exhausting, frustrating, and hard work. You can choose to leave immediately. However, you can also choose to engage in conversation with racist people
Step 3. Focus on someone's words or actions
Instead of accusing someone of being racist, which risks making the person even more defensive, just point out which actions or words are problematic for you.
For example, instead of saying, "You hurt my heart," say, "That sentence hurt the Indians enough." By using “that sentence” instead of “you”, you shift the focus from the perpetrator to the words themselves
Step 4. Be honest with friends
You are under no obligation to accept or confront racism just to avoid causing trouble among your friends. After all, racism is untrue and you have the right to voice your opinion.
If someone acts as racist towards you, explain to them why that behavior is a problem. You can choose the approach you will use. Realize that a person usually gets defensive when he or she is perceived as guilty, so the wiser you are in speaking, the better chance that person will have to hear your opinion
Step 5. Deal with racist comments or behavior in the group
When someone in your group does or says something hurtful, the success of your approach to dealing with it is determined by several factors. Set your goal when pointing out that an action or speech is racist. Do you want everyone present to know that you cannot accept such actions or words or do you want to maintain a good relationship with someone who may have done something hurtful inadvertently?
- Showing other people's racist behavior in front of people, instead of discussing it in private, lets the whole group know that you don't accept it when that kind of behavior is directed at you. However, it also tends to put people on the defensive because you're showing it in front of their friends.
- If you feel that the behavior was unintentional and you want to maintain the abuser's feelings or a good relationship with the person, you can leave the behavior unresponsive and then have a private conversation. There are downsides to waiting a while before discussing his behavior. One of them is that the person may have forgotten the utterance or the context of the utterance. Another drawback is that the rest of the group will assume you are not against such behavior.
Step 6. Practice different approaches to racist comments or behavior
There are many ways to respond to hurtful behavior and you will have to choose which one suits your personality, as well as your relationship with the abuser.
- One approach you can use is to say, "You know, it hurts me when someone says or does it because…" Discussing your feelings can reduce someone's defensive behavior more than if you openly accuse them of their behavior, but it also releases them. some of the responsibility off their shoulders, and that's not a great tactic in the long run.
- You can also take a more direct approach by saying, “You shouldn't have said or done that. For certain races it's hurtful because…” This approach can convey to someone that their behavior is hurting another person and they should stop acting like that.
Step 7. Learn how to deal with racist behavior from people in more authority
If your teacher or boss discriminates against you because of your race, or makes embarrassing or disparaging comments, you will have a hard time responding because they are above you and your response could affect your grades or salary.
- If you think the racism was unintentional or reckless, and if you have a good relationship with the perpetrator, consider having a good talk with the teacher or boss. It is possible that the person is not aware that his behavior is hurtful. For example, a teacher who calls you in class to give a Bataknese point of view may not necessarily realize that his actions have offended him because the Batak people are not the majority.
- If you don't raise your complaint directly with the teacher or supervisor, make sure you approach them when they're not busy or ask to speak to them privately. Communicate your concerns to them in clear, straightforward language, and not full of emotion. “Sometimes I feel that you are inadvertently discriminating against me because of my race. I hope we can talk about it so it doesn't happen again."
- If you feel that racism is intentional and malicious, or if discussing it directly with your teacher or supervisor will adversely affect you, or harm your working relationship, you should raise the racism to a higher authority. At school, you can share this with a counselor or principal. In the office, you can pass it on to human resources or your boss's manager. However, make sure that you have recorded any forms of racism or microaggression that occurred. Make an appointment to meet in person so you can share what happened (including how often it happened and direct quotes or action descriptions of each if possible) and why they were unacceptable.
Step 8. Understand your rights
If you suffer from racism in an office or community service facility, you may have legal rights. Many United States state and federal laws protect the public from discrimination based on race, most notably the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- You should contact a lawyer who specializes in human rights or employee rights cases if you suffer from racism that robs you of your home, job, security or other freedoms. Most states in the United States have strict deadlines for reporting acts of discrimination, so make sure you contact a lawyer immediately.
- If you have to file a lawsuit and can't afford to hire a lawyer, there are many human rights organizations that may be able to help you. In the United States alone, consider contacting the Southern Poverty Law Center or the Anti-Defamation League.
Step 9. Try to differentiate between racist actions and racist people
Racist people are filled with bigotry and prejudice, and are likely to be fruitless even if you confront them. On the other hand, racist acts are often the fault or result of upbringing in cultures where racism is the norm.
- If a person is a racist, confronting him or trying to spend a lot of time educating him about racism and why it bothers you may just be a waste of your time. Often times he will simply say that you are using race as an excuse if you are offended by his words or actions. Genuinely racist people very rarely listen to you or change their behavior simply because their behavior annoys you. In some cases, confronting such a person can be self-defeating.
- However, if the person is basically nice but sometimes makes racist comments or assumptions, you may be able to persuade them to stop by telling them why their words or actions hurt them. Such people are generally unaware of the real impact of racism in real life.
- You decide whether you want to spend time dealing with racist people, behavior, or policies. You are not in charge of educating people just because you are a minority.
Step 10. Take care of yourself
Suffering from racism is exhausting and can be emotionally traumatizing. Be sure to surround yourself with confidants who support you, and take time for yourself to build emotional and psychological strength.
- The stress of dealing with the effects of racism can affect all aspects of your life, including your mental health, your grades in school, and even the risk of serious illness.
- Join a student council, political organization, or other group to meet and connect with other people who feel the same way as you. Talk about an incident that made you stressed and ask your family for help in finding ways to deal with it. Research shows that having people who can listen to you share bad experiences is an important factor in dealing with stress.
Method 2 of 4: Dealing with Racism Targeted at Others
Step 1. Voice your opinion when you hear a racist joke or innuendo
People sometimes ignore racist comments or jokes out of embarrassment or don't know what to say. However, preparing a response from the start can help you feel capable of responding and taking part in fighting for the truth. There are several approaches you can take depending on your personality, your relationship with the offender, and the situation:
- Consider saying, "That's not okay." In some situations, such as when you're in class or getting off a pick-me-up, you may not have the time or ability to go over what someone is saying in detail, but you can let them know that their behavior has gone too far. You will feel proud for fighting for the truth.
- Try saying, “Oh my gosh, that's racist. Why say that?” Opening up the conversation will help the person to introspect on what he's saying.
- If the racism is in the form of a joke, you can say, "What's so funny?" in a very serious tone, as if you didn't understand the joke at all. Forcing someone to explain a joke makes that person reconsider the racial implications of his remarks. After he explains it, if he still finds the joke funny, you can say, "That's really racist."
Step 2. Deal with racism in the family
Sometimes the worst perpetrators of racism are family members, such as your grandfather or mother. Your family members may make racist comments or jokes, or may discriminate against other races on an ongoing basis (for example by not allowing you to date certain races or not allowing friends of certain races to play in your house). That's a pretty tricky situation for you because the culprit might be someone you respect and have to obey (eg your parents if you guys still live together).
- Stay calm, but share your feelings. Family is founded on love and trust and you should be confident enough to tell your family that they have said or done something that hurt them. Don't shout, don't be taken to heart, but tell them. For example, you can say, "I don't like what you're saying," "I'm afraid you'd say that," or ask them to explain why they said something racist. That might start a conversation and give you an opportunity to teach them that their behavior is problematic.
- Be aware that it can sometimes make matters worse. For example, if your uncle finds out that a racist joke makes you uncomfortable, he may make more racist jokes on purpose.
- If your parents have racist rules that say you can be friends with anyone, you can choose. You can obey their rules while you live together, or you can break their rules. However, you should still be aware that there are consequences waiting for you if you break the rules.
- Sometimes, you can't do anything to stop a racist family member from doing or saying something hurtful. You can avoid the person as much as possible, then you can share how you feel about their racist actions or words, but sadly sometimes that doesn't help either. Learn about the choices they make and you can do your best to avoid having prejudiced or fanatical ideas or habits.
Step 3. Be friends
If you are against racism, but you are not a minority, you can play an important role in fighting racism when you witness it. By learning to be aware of microaggressive behavior toward dark-skinned people, you can use your advantageous position to help fight all forms of racism.
Practice discussing races in a safe room. Racism is a tough topic and people who are not minorities are often taught that they should not discuss or even “see” racial differences. It makes the fight against racism very tough when it comes to racism because you may not have any experience in discussing race at all. Find friends who also want to fight racism and design the possibilities of racism that you experience in your daily life
Method 3 of 4: Confronting Racism in Society
Step 1. Meet people who are different from you
In other parts of the world, getting to know people of different races. It's natural to be attracted to people who are similar to you, and sometimes your friends are from the same race. Step out of your comfort zone to learn about other cultures and experiences that you can get from around the world. It will enrich your perspective on the world and help friends, family, or children to see friendship with people who are different from them as normal and acceptable.
- Visit fairs, festivals and cultural gatherings in your local area. Visit your local library or cultural center for information.
- Join a club, start a new hobby, go to church or a place of worship, or join a certain sports team to meet new people.
Step 2. Discuss race
Race has become a taboo topic because many people are taught from childhood that discussing race is rude and disrespectful. However, as long as racism exists, discussion, willingness to learn, and empathy are crucial. Research shows that discussing race can increase tolerance and understanding. Take the opportunity to start a discussion.
- If you have children, discuss race with your child. Don't silence her if she mentions that someone has a different skin tone than her. It is natural for children to notice the difference. Teach them that differences are good! Say something like, "Yeah, cool, right? Joe is brown, you are white. We are all so diverse!”
- When your kids are old enough to understand it, discuss racism with them. If you belong to a minority, prepare your children for the treatment they are likely to receive and build their self-esteem and confidence so they know how to respond appropriately if something happens. If you are not a minority, you should still discuss racism with your children. Teach the history of race in your country and explain why some people are racist towards others (prejudice, stereotypes, bigotry, etc.).
Step 3. Contribute
If possible, you can donate money or volunteer for organizations that aim to end racism in your neighborhood or in your country. The following are examples of such organizations or movements in the United States:
- Southern Poverty Law Center
- Anti-Defamation League
- Human Rights Campaign
Method 4 of 4: Understanding Racism
Step 1. Understand the difference between racism, bigotry, and prejudice
Often the three terms are used interchangeably in the media or in conversation, but there are differences that you should understand. Understanding the differences between the three concepts can be helpful in conversations when people use the wrong terms to convey their meaning.
- Racism is a system of oppression of a group based on the race, color, and ethnicity of the group. In general, racism involves the racial or ethnic majority making laws, policies, systems, and norms that are favorable to their own race or ethnicity that result in discrimination of racial or ethnic minorities.
- Fanaticism, on the other hand, is related to hatred. Fanaticism means hating all members of a group because of their identity and/or belief that your group is superior. It was not limited to race or ethnicity. You can be fanatical about a group because of your religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, etc. For example, the Holocaust was motivated by fanaticism, as were all hate crimes under United States law.
- Prejudice (which literally means to think before knowing) means to assume that you understand someone just because they belong to a certain group. Although it generally has a negative connotation, prejudice is not always a bad thing. For example, assuming that all Asians are good at math or that all black people can sing well or are athletic is prejudice. It's a stereotype based on race. You can also be prejudiced against someone because of religion, gender, disability, etc. So, like fanaticism, prejudice is not limited to race.
Step 2. Understand that all three intersect and relate to racism
Sometimes racist policies or actions are very real (at least when we look back at history). For example, the history of slavery in the United States (which at that time was legal and justified, accepted, and considered religiously natural) was based on a racialist system. Other times, people can't agree on whether a particular policy or action is racist. For example, some people argue that the Affirmative Action policy (which requires companies in the United States to employ a certain number of people of different races) is racist, while other groups say that the Affirmative Action policy helps prevent racism.
- Since racism involves those in power treating minorities arbitrarily, “reverse racism” (which is often used to describe the behavior of a member of a minority treating a member of a majority group because of his or her race) is a misnomer. People should call it fanaticism or prejudice, not racism.
- You have to remember that you can support racism without being bigoted. You can even support racism without realizing it because racism is part of a larger system of oppression.
Step 3. Understand the history of racism in the United States and around the world
The bitter and sad fact regarding the nature of human civilization throughout history that we have to accept is that almost all major civilizations have struggled against racism. That's because racism involves those in power (the majority) treating the weak (the minority) arbitrarily, and race is one of the main identities throughout history that people have used to determine who is in power and who is weak.
- In North America, the history of racism can be said to begin with the conquest of indigenous tribes (Native Americans or Indians) by white European settlers. Literally, one race has more power than the other (in the form of weapons and diseases that wipe out entire populations).
- During the Victorian era in Europe, racism was ingrained in the minds of Westerners through what was then thought to be the scientific discovery of racial differences. With the influence of Darwin's theory of evolution, researchers believe that the white Anglo race has evolved further than any other race.
Step 4. Learn how racism is connected to power systems
Although most major systems of oppression such as slavery have been abolished in various places around the world, relatively minor racist policies and behaviors are still a problem worldwide.
Step 5. Pay attention to the impact of racism
Because racism is systemic, its effects can be seen in various media, in government, schools, and even in religion.
Watch for racial and ethnic stereotypes on television, books, and movies. The popularity of video games and computers has even added to the many lines of media for the distribution of racism. Contact the people who produce racist content and raise your concerns. Do not support businesses or organizations that allow racism to occur
Step 6. Understand that not all racism is obvious
In everyday life, microaggression is more common than overt violence, but the impact can be just as great. As the name implies, microaggressions are petty acts of discrimination that most people may not realize, but as time goes by, for dark-skinned people, it becomes more and more painful and painful.
- Microaggressions range from walking away from a dark-skinned person on the train, asking a black woman if her hair is real, to asking an Asian-American where she actually comes from.
- Microaggression, unlike an act of blatant hatred. It sometimes happens unintentionally. That makes it all the more difficult to prove that microaggression does happen to dark-skinned people, who are afraid of appearing too sensitive or being accused of using racial pretexts if they complain about such acts.
