anti-racism, verb
For An Encyclopedia of Radical Helping
It’s Leo season and New York City is hot! It’s the second week of my 35th year and I’m feeling deep gratitude for the life I’ve lived and trust in what’s to come.
In lieu of writing something fresh this birthday month, I’m sharing a piece I wrote for the forthcoming book An Encyclopedia of Radical Helping.
From “abundance” to “zinemaking,” An Encyclopedia of Radical Helping invites the reader to wander through a collection of interconnected entries on helping and healing by over 200 contributors from the worlds of social work and family therapy; art and design; body work; organizing; and more. Privileging co-construction over diagnosis, wisdom over evidence, collective healing over individual cure–yet always blurring categories and embracing contradictions–this world-making collection reveals a pluriverse of helping practices grounded in love and freedom.
Please pre-order it here, and as you await the 200+ entries, here’s a sneak peek at the entry I was invited to contribute on anti-racism: a word that I define as a verb, despite the internet’s persistence that it’s a noun.
Many thanks to Denise Shanté Brown for referring me to this opportunity, and to
, Erin Segal & Chris Hoff for their generous edits. May our mutual care and resource exchanges continue to generate abundant possibilities…
Anti-racism: Practicing courage. And with it, making choices that support life.
“Oh, that wasn’t my intention,” a white leader might hastily respond when a colleague acknowledges their comment felt harmful. But does that response foster accountability, or complicity in the status quo? Without accountability, where does the energy of the harm go?
“I’m ready to leave,” a white protestor might say after being called out on their problematic behavior. But if they took a deep breath and a sip of water, could that call-out be metabolized as devotion to allyship? Could a willingness to practice following the leadership of people of color grow their trustworthiness and impact?
“That’s below my pay grade,” a white manager might think when their Asian director assigns them conference logistics work so their Black associate can facilitate a workshop. But do white people consider how it might foster repair to take on the menial, time-consuming tasks and give people of color space for creativity and leadership development?
“Just let it go,” one might tell themself when critical questions come to mind about the integrity of their team’s programming. But is it possible that courageous interrogation is an essential step on our way out of the racist status quo? By slowing down to consider alternatives, might we speed up the pursuit of equity?
“Between me and you…” a white employee might begin when telling their manager they contributed more to the project than their Black colleague. But are they aware of the possible repercussions of that message? Have they considered what it might be like for their Black colleague to live and work in an environment where nothing is shaped for their convenience or care?
“Why does it even matter?” a white person might ask their partner who has stated a boundary about not being in spaces where they are the only person of color. But what would it feel like for the partner of color to hear a simple “okay, I can respect that,” even if their white partner has frustrations? Does the white partner have a community that can hold space for their feelings to be processed without emotional labor on the part of people of color?
“Capitalism is killing us,” a white couple might existentially fret with each other. But do we build reparations budgets to redistribute our “disposable” income? Do we interrogate our place in a racialized economy that systematically reproduces a working class that can barely make ends meet? Do we feel what profiting off this economy might be doing to our humanity?
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These are a few of the many, many moments where people who benefit from racial privilege can practice courage and anti-racism in their choices. They reflect patterns that I’ve noticed and tried to take responsibility for in myself. They may not be the questions that are most alive for you–especially if you hold identities that predispose you to harm in a racialized society–but I wonder what questions are most alive for you. Have you considered where you might make new choices, how you might show up differently in your interactions with other people and systems?
My experience has been that it’s not about making choices that are “right” or “better” than how we’re currently moving through life, but discovering what makes us human, what connects us to the humanity of others. Getting as clear as possible on how racism distorts our shared humanity. Feeling on the deepest level what Fannie Lou Hamer said: “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” And then showing up to life with the courage to make choices that may not be easy or common, but that feel like the least violent choices we can make at that moment. Knowing that when our choices contrast the racist status quo, we can move with greater dignity and integrity. When our choices actively oppose white supremacy culture, our humanity is more nourished and our presence on this planet supports life, moving us closer to the anti-racist, liberated culture we deserve.