DAY 4: Give up believing that racism isn’t happening if you can’t “see it”
When most white people think of racism, we think of overt racism, intentional or obvious racist acts intended to cause harm. However, overt racism is only the tip of the iceberg the top of the pyramid in this diagram. It is the part you can easily see.
Covert racism, everything that lies under the surface, is what is most often experienced by BIPOC in relation to white people. Covert acts of racism include but are definitely not limited to racial profiling, carding or identity checks by police, hiring discrimination, claiming to be colourblind, and staying silent in the face of racism. It is these covert acts of racism that uphold the overt acts which, without this support, would not be able to continue.
The challenge that white people face in particular when wanting to be antiracist, is learning how to identify covert racism and do something to interrupt them. This inability to recognize covert racism when it is happening is an intentional characteristic of white supremacy culture. It shields white people from the realities of the harm that People of Colour experience every day so that the system can continue unchallenged by those who benefit most.
TIP: Learn to recognize covert acts of racism by doing your own research and self-reflection. There are many resources out there that describe covert acts of racism, their impact and what to do to interrupt them. Layla Saad’ book “Me and White Supremacy” is a good place to start. In addition, the internet is filled with POC educators who are willing to share their experiences to support learning and understanding. Seek them out. And the next time you are confused by being called in or out about something you said or did that was racist, review the racism pyramid image and check to see if you can identify which category of covert racism it is from.
SELF REFLECTION: Racism is harder to recognize the closer you are to white privilege and even harder if you do not experience systemic oppression at all. At the same time, it is intimately known by those on the receiving end who are dehumanized and traumatized by it. How can you support yourself to be more curious and open to hearing from those who are directly impacted? Are you able to find self-compassion and openness by accepting that you are a learner and that the learning can only come from listening to and being in relationship with BIPOC?
RESOURCES: