What is the difference between being “not racist” and “anti-racist” and why do some people feel it i

Most people would describe themselves as not racist. Racists believe certain people are innately better than others, based solely on their race or ethnicity, typically targeting minority or marginalized groups. When we think about racism, we think about active discrimination, active hate, active bigotry—all of which most people with sound moral values are against.

It is not surprising that many individuals will say about themselves, “Well, I’m not racist, so I’m not part of the problem.” This line of thinking, however, ignored the reality that is systemic and more than just an individual issue. It is interwoven in our society, in our systems, laws, policies, and established practices, often in insidious ways that encourage and perpetuate unjust and oppressive treatment of certain groups, mainly those of color. So, we are all unwilling participants in racism simply by being members of a society that allows for certain people to be favored over others, unless we are willingly acting to dismantle it.

This is the reasoning behind the “anti-racist” movement which stresses that simply being “not racist” is not enough. People need to be more than just averse to racism, they must be “anti-racist.” The term was coined by Ibram X. Kendi in his 2019 bestselling book: How to Be An Anti-Racist. In it, Kendi explores how each decade of his personal and professional life has been fraught with racism. Kendi argues that there is no middle ground when it comes to racism. If one is a bystander in the fight for equality instead of an active participant, you are perpetuating it by virtue of indifference. This ideology is similar to that espoused by the Nobel Peace Prize-winning author, and Auschwitz survivor, Elie Wiesel, who said, “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.” Both Kendi and Wiesel would agree that in order to effect change in our society, we must be actively fighting for that change in every way we can.

So how can we do better? How can we be anti-racist?

It all starts with awareness. The first step in being anti-racist is acknowledging the systematic racism and oppression that exists in our society. One way to do this is to know about and deeply understand the historic events that propelled the current state of inequality in our world. Whether it be the history of slavery from ancient to modern times or the knowledge that post-emancipation vestiges such as Jim Crow Laws which created segregation weren’t dismantled until the 1950s; no wonder there is still racism embedded in the current legislature. Systems don’t change overnight, and it’s necessary to consider the multi-generational impact that slavery, segregation, and other forms of oppression have had and continue to have on people of color.

Another way to be actively anti-racists is to seek out media like films, TV shows, articles, and books, such as Kendi’s How to Be an Anti-Racist, that elucidate the extent of systematic racism and how our choices impact society. Exposing ourselves to different ways of thinking can help us challenge the status quo and make us more aware of our own implicit biases.

Perhaps, the most direct way one can commit oneself to the anti-racist effort is to seek out and join organizations that are fighting against racism and oppression. Uplifting voices in the BIPOC community and being an ally in the fight is one way to actively help the cause. On a smaller scale, supporting Black-owned businesses will contribute to evening out the pay gap amongst people of color.

Regardless of the method of involvement you choose to take, the important thing is to take action. The whole idea behind being Anti-Racism is to actively and consistently do your best to combat racism. Inequality won’t change with a shift in one person or two or a dozen. A more equal world can only be achieved if everyone does their part to be actively and unyieldingly anti-racist.