There’s no escaping it: racism is a social justice issue.
Ethics and sustainability are intrinsically intertwined with issues of equality and social justice. A truly sustainable future addresses each of the 4 Es:
- Environmental
- Economic
- Ethical
- Equity
True sustainability requires that we address all of these areas. And that can seem like a huge task.
But there are some things you can do: start by educating yourself and then add your voice to the call for equity.
“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Being non-racist and anti-racist are very different things
The majority of people are non-racist. This is characterised by the things they are NOT doing. To be anti-racist is to do something about what is going on.
Marlon James explains the difference between the two in this great 2 minute video.
It is no secret that mainstream media is controlled by rich white men. But the online world offers us access to all different viewpoints.
The resources below are a great place to start to get yourself educated on the issues and help you to be a better anti-racist ally.
Watch
“How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion” TED Talk
“Let’s Get to the Root of Racial Injustice” TED Talk
“How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Towards Them” TED Talk
“How We’re Priming Some Kids for College and others for prison” TED Talk
Read
“Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Ibram X. Kendi
“America’s Racial Contract is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer
The 1619 Project from the New York Times
“The Intersectionality Wars” by Jane Coaston
“White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” by Peggy McIntosh
“The Case for Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Tips for Creating Effective White Caucus Groups” developed by Craig Elliott
Listen
“When Civility is Used as a Cudgel Against People of Color”
“The Power of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Anger”
“Opinion: My Father Stood for the National Anthem for the Same Reason Colin Kaepernick Sits”
“When Calling the Po-Po is a No-No”
Act
Support black businesses. Find them on WeBuyBlack, The Black Wallet, and Official Black Wall Street.
“Equal rights for others does not mean less rights for you. It’s not pie.”
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For more ideas – many applicable specifically to Americans – check out this article on what white people can do for racial justice.
And remember: doing anything is better than doing nothing at all.
