What Racism Is
Racism is the belief that one race is inherently superior to another. It manifests in individual prejudice, discriminatory systems, and unequal treatment based on skin color or ethnic background.
Racism takes many forms:
- Individual racism — Personal prejudice, slurs, hate crimes, discrimination
- Systemic racism — Policies and systems that create unequal outcomes
- Implicit bias — Unconscious assumptions about people based on race
- Microaggressions — Subtle, often unintentional insults or dismissals
Why Racism Is Wrong
Simple truth: Race doesn't determine intelligence, character, worth, capability, or potential. Your skin color doesn't define who you are—your actions do.
Racism violates fundamental principles:
- Human dignity — Every person has inherent worth
- Equal opportunity — Everyone deserves a fair chance
- Justice — People should be judged by their actions, not their race
- American ideals — "All men are created equal"
What Anti-Racism Looks Like
Being anti-racist means actively opposing racism, not just passively "not being racist." Silence in the face of racism enables it to continue.
Actions You Can Take
- Speak up — Don't let racist comments or jokes go unchallenged
- Educate yourself — Learn about systemic racism and its history
- Examine your biases — Everyone has them; awareness is the first step
- Support equal opportunity — Advocate for fair treatment in hiring, housing, education
- Amplify voices — Listen to people of color about their experiences
- Vote — Support candidates who champion equality
- Teach children — Raise the next generation to reject racism
Support & Resources
Organizations fighting racism and supporting affected communities:
NAACP
The nation's oldest civil rights organization, fighting for racial justice and equality for over 100 years.
Visit NAACP →Equal Justice Initiative
Committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment, challenging racial and economic injustice.
Visit EJI →SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center)
Monitoring hate groups, fighting discrimination through litigation, and providing educational resources.
Visit SPLC →Color of Change
Building power to end practices that unfairly hold Black people back and champion solutions.
Visit Color of Change →National Urban League
Empowering African Americans through economic empowerment, education, and civil rights advocacy.
Visit National Urban League →Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Fighting antisemitism and all forms of hate, promoting justice and fair treatment for all.
Visit ADL →Report Hate Crimes & Discrimination
- FBI Hate Crime Reporting: www.fbi.gov/hate-crimes
- Department of Justice Civil Rights Division: civilrights.justice.gov
- EEOC (Employment Discrimination): www.eeoc.gov
- HUD (Housing Discrimination): 1-800-669-9777
Educational Resources
- National Museum of African American History & Culture: nmaahc.si.edu
- Teaching Tolerance: learningforjustice.org
- Race Forward: raceforward.org
💡 Remember
Progress requires action. Silence enables racism. Stand up, speak out, and work toward the America Dr. King envisioned—where people are judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.