Being Antiracist

Racism doesn’t just exist in isolated moments—it is often embedded in policies, systems, and everyday interactions. Its effects are far-reaching, especially for Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour (BIPOC), who face disproportionate rates of discrimination, profiling, chronic stress, and health issues tied to systemic inequality.

For those who work in roles of public service, understanding and challenging racism isn’t just about personal belief—it’s about how we show up for our communities, our families, and each other. Antiracism means more than rejecting racism; it means actively working to identify and counter it.

What Is Antiracism?

Being antiracist means recognizing inequality where it exists, understanding how it affects others, and taking action to help dismantle it. It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistent effort and courage.

Antiracism involves:

• Acknowledging how systems can create unequal outcomes

• Rejecting stereotypes and assumptions about racial or ethnic groups

• Listening to lived experiences with empathy, not defensiveness

• Speaking up when racism shows up, even in subtle ways

• Supporting policies and actions that promote fairness and equity

Racism Isn’t Always Obvious

It’s easy to think of racism as something that’s only about hate or explicit slurs. But many racist ideas are embedded in our systems and culture—sometimes in ways we don’t even realize. Policies throughout history were often shaped by people in power to maintain inequality.

Some examples:

• Assimilationist thinking: The idea that people from racialized groups should ‘fit in’ to be accepted.

• Segregationist thinking: The belief that some groups are inherently inferior and should be separated.

• Model minority myths: Stereotypes that paint some groups as more successful to divide communities and obscure real struggles.

These ideas still influence how people are treated and represented today.

“But I’m Not Racist…”

Many people feel that if they aren’t saying or doing anything explicitly racist, they must not be part of the problem. But silence and inaction can allow racism to continue.

Author Ibram X. Kendi suggests that “racist” and “antiracist” aren’t fixed identities. Instead, they describe our actions in the moment. A person might unknowingly say or believe something harmful, but they can also choose to reflect, learn, and grow.

Being antiracist means more than just rejecting racism. It requires speaking up for racial fairness, supporting policies that create equity, and challenging unfair ideas and systems. If we don’t recognize how racism operates in daily life, we may end up reinforcing it without realizing it.

Antiracism is about awareness, responsibility, and taking action to create real change.

Steps Toward Antiracism

Experts like Kirsten Ivey-Colson and Lynn Turner, founders of the AntiRacist Table, recommend a number of actions anyone can take to begin or continue their journey:

1. Start with Learning

Understand the history of racism, especially where you live and work. Explore how unconscious bias and privilege show up in everyday life. Don’t expect others—especially those affected by racism—to educate you. Take ownership of your learning.

2. Set Intentions

Antiracism is a lifelong practice, not a one-time task. Set goals to speak up, reflect on your beliefs, and keep going even when it’s uncomfortable.

3. Sit with Discomfort

Facing racism—including your own biases—isn’t easy. But growth requires discomfort. Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility, outlines how we can move past defensiveness through listening, reflection, and engagement.

4. See People as Individuals

Avoid group-based assumptions. Stereotypes—whether negative or even “positive”—dehumanize and divide. For example, the “model minority” myth often used to describe Asian communities ignores individual experiences and fuels division.

5. Practice Empathy

You don’t need to be part of a underrepresented group to care. Racism goes against the values most people claim to hold, and you don’t have to be BIPOC or personally affected to speak out against it. As psychologist John Amaechi puts it, challenging racism isn’t just about defending individuals—it’s about upholding fairness and respect for all. Standing against racism means standing for shared humanity.

6. Be an Active Ally

Allyship means showing up, speaking out, and supporting others—even when it’s inconvenient. It’s an ongoing commitment, not just a label.

7. Choose Courage Over Comfort

Whether it’s challenging a harmful comment or rethinking how your workplace operates, every step matters. Ask yourself: Are my daily choices—what I support, who I listen to, where I spend my money—aligned with equity?

Antiracism is a Choice—and a Responsibility

Antiracism isn’t about guilt. It’s about responsibility. It’s about making better choices, having open conversations, and standing up for others even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether you’re serving the public, raising a family, or just trying to be a decent human being—being antiracist is part of building a safer, fairer world for everyone.