What is Anti-racism?
Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies, practices, and attitudes*.
A person who practices anti-racism is someone who works to become aware of:
- How racism affects the lived experience of people of color and Indigenous people;
- How racism is systemic, and has been part of many foundational aspects of society throughout history, and can be manifested in both individual attitudes and behaviors as well as formal (and “unspoken”) policies and practices within institutions;
- How white people participate, often unknowingly, in racism.
*NAC International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity
Why it is important to learn about Anti-racism
Knowledge is power. It is not enough to be an ally and fight alongside your peers of color. Acknowledging that countering racism cannot be a neutral stance but has to rather be an active process of anti-racism, will help you be part of effective change.
What can I find on this page?
The Counseling Center has compiled a list of resources that will help educate you on the process of anti-racism. You will find links to articles, Ted talks, infographics and much more that will help you become a more effective ally.
As always, if you would like to meet with a counselor to talk more about anti-racism or feel triggered by any of these resources please email us at counselingcenter@bmcc.cuny.edu and we can provide additional support through counseling.
Anti-racism Resources
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice, Corinne Shutack, Medium
- Antiracist Toolkit for Teachers and Researchers, Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine
- Detour-Spotting for White Antiracists, Jona Olsson, Cultural Bridges to Justice
- Disarming Racial Microaggressions: Microintervention Strategies for Targets, White Allies, and Bystanders, Derald Wing Sue, Sarah Alsaidi, Narolyn Mendez, Psychology, Medicine -The American psychologist
- Harvard Implicit Bias Test, Project Implicit
- How Well-Intentioned White Families Can Perpetuate Racism, Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic
- Resources for Educators Focusing on Antiracist Learning and Teaching, Early Childhood Education Assembly
- Talking About Race: Being Antiracist, Angela Y. Davis, National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Toolkit for Teaching about Racism, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, Peggy McIntosh
Books to Read on Anti-racism
- How to Be an Antiracist, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor, Layla Saad
- The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness, Michelle Alexander
- So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo
- Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, Ibram X. Kendi
- The Wellbeing Handbook for Overcoming Everyday Racism: How to Be Resilient in the Face of Discrimination and Microagressions, Susan Cousins
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism, Dr. Robin DiAngelo
Podcasts
- Brené with Ibram X. Kendi on How to Be an Anti-racist , Brené Brown, Unlocking Us Podcast
- Code Switch: Race. In Your Face. Podcast, NPR
- Just Mercy Podcast episode with Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan, and Bryan Stevenson
- Seeing White, a Scene on the Radio podcast
- White Lies: An Investigative Podcast by NPR
