Antiracism

ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Antiracism or anti-racism has been defined as "the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably." Another definition offered by Robert J. Patterson is "an active and conscious effort to work against multidimensional aspects of racism."

This article is intended to provide a basis for (1) individual study of how to become antiracist as an element of spiritual self-transformation; or (2) group work to establish a culture of antiracism. 

In its initial form, this course of study specifically explores the means by which White Americans can learn to join with Black Americans in achieving a society that is just, equitable, and compassionate. In the future the topic may be expanded to cover race relations of other groups, in other nations, and in the context of intersectionality. We also hope to add articles on other aspects of social justice within the context of Theosophy.

Theosophical Society and Race

The Theosophical Society and its successor organizations in the United States cannot been exempted from criticism that they lack a fully antiracist perspective, even though the intention to avoid distinction by race was declared early in the history of the Theosophical Movement.

First Object

In 1890, the First Object of the Theosophical Society took its present form: "To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour." The Theosophical Society in America has done a good job in eliminating distinctions within our Society based on creed and sex, and caste is irrelevant in the United States. However, Theosophists have mostly edged away from consideration of race and color in writings, lectures, and activities, with much more emphasis placed on study of comparative religions and on interfaith activities.

Attitudes toward racism

Racism has usually been regarded by Theosophists as a social evil to be opposed, along with violence, vivisection, and capital punishment. The "victims of racism" were assisted in small initiatives by the Theosophical Order of Service but no comprehensive consideration of or action against racism in society was ever undertaken in any of the major branches of the Theosophical Movement. Study of the Root Races described in Theosophical literature led to unfortunate generalizations about people of African, Aborigine, and other "Lemurian" descent that reinforced attitudes of racial superiority among some White members.

Theosophists in India and Sri Lanka worked diligently for decades to change laws and societal attitudes, to uplift the dalit (scheduled) caste, and to raise the value of native culture, but nothing equivalent ever happened in the United States. Even though individual African-American members, lecturers, and Society staff have been cherished over the years, at least three lodges of the American Theosophical Society were designated as "colored," showing that the First Object phrase "without distinction of race" was not being generally embraced. Most modern Theosophists would be shocked and appalled at this history, but do not know how to change the culture of their Theosophical groups and society at large.

Antiracism as culture and self-transformation

Becoming an antiracist is a process that modern Theosophists should aspire to paticipate in. Resmaa Menakem has said that White people must begin developing a culture of antiracism that will be transmitted to future generations. Aspiring antiracists should commit themselves to at least three years of study and group work to begin developing that culture. Whites have to educate themselves in the history and language and actions and fabric of racism before they can hope to begin leading authentically antiracist lives.

Antiracism in a Theosophical context should be integrated into a holistic practice that includes study, meditation, and service for spiritual self-transformation. White American Theosophists, like other White Americans, should learn to identify and avoid racist thoughts, words, and actions toward the goal of creating a true brotherhood of humankind.

Courses of study on antiracism

Several approaches can be made to the study of how to become antiracist.

• The book How to Be an Antiracist by Ibrahm X. Kendi provides an excellent introduction to the topic. Since the chapters are arranged topically, it could be read and discussed as written or in any preferred sequence.
• Anti-Racist Alliance offers units of curriculum with links to many resources, workshops, and meetings.
• "Classroom Resources" at Teaching Tolerance provides lessons, learning plans, posters, and other resources.
• The Unitarian Universalist Church has provided "Examining Whiteness: An Anti-racism Curriculum" of modular instruction.

Terminology

• "Antiracism Glossary" at Bing.
• "Social Justice Definitions" at National Conference for Community and Justice.
• "8 Terms used in Anti-Racism Explained" from Future of Good. June 4, 2020.
• The Anti-Racist Glossary at The Anti-Racist Educator.

Resources for those aspiring to be antiracists

This is just a sampling of the materials that are available on these subjects.

Bibliographies

• "Bibliography on Racism" by Paul Kivel at RacialEquityTools.org. Extensive list of books published before 2002 on race, racism, crime, violence, class, religion, gender, and other intersectionalities.
• "Selected Antiracist Resources" at AntiRacistAlliance. Developed by [www.pisab.org People's Institute for Survival and Beyond].
• "Build Your Stack: Antiracist Books for Your Curriculum Today" by National Council of Teachers of English. June 17, 2020. Brief reviews of books recommended by educators.
• "Anti-Racism Tools" by Trying Together. Provides resources for early childhood educators and educators.
• "Anti-racism in Medicine Collection" from the Association of American Medical Colleges. Provides resources to understand racism in medical settings.

History and current status of racism

• Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibrahm X. Kendi. Hachette Book Group, 2016. 594 pages. A compelling history built around five major American intellectual figures: Puritan leader Cotton Mather, founding father Thomas Jefferson, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, African-American scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, and activist Angela Davis.
• Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning by Jason Reynolds and Ibrahm X. Kendi. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2020. Written for teens, this is described as "a timely, crucial, and empowering exploration of racism--and antiracism--in America" and "a field guide to American racism."
• The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by Richard Rothstein. Liveright, 2018. 368 pages.
• "158 Resources to Understand Racism in America" from Smithsonian Magazine. A rich narrative linking to high-caliber illustrated articles.
• "Curriculum Part Two: Understanding the Consequences" at AntiRacistAlliance. Collection of articles and resources on structural racism and its impacts.

Antiracism

• How to Be an Antiracist by Ibrahm X. Kendi. New York: One World, 2019.
• "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibrahm X. Kendi. Interview at Aspen Ideas Festival. June 26, 2019.
• "Curriculum Part Three: Taking Action Toward Solutions / Action & Feedback" at AntiRacistAlliance. Collection of articles and resources on structural racism and its impacts.
• "Don't Let your anti-racist passion die: Advice from your one Black friend" by Kelli Williams.
• "Becoming an Anti-Racist Educator" from Wheaton College (Massachusetts).
• "How to Be an Anti-Racist Teacher" by Pirette McKamey in The Atlantic. June 17, 2020.
• This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewel, illustrated by Aurelia Durand. Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2020. Written for teens and young adults, this book offers exercises for work on self-identity and on responding to injustice and inequality.
• "Anti-Racist Resources for Teachers' from The Race Institute for K-12 Educators. Lists films, websites, blog posts, books, and other materials of value.

Whiteness, White privilege, and White fragility

• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin Diangelo. Boston: Beacon Press, 2018. A White diversity trainer's advice to White people.
• "Curriculum Part One: Whiteness" at AntiRacistAlliance. Collection of articles on Whiteness and privilege.

Allyship

• "Guide to Allyship" by Amelie Lamont. "An open source starter guide to help you become a more thoughtful and effective ally."
• "Allyship" from PeerNetBC. This is written from an Canadian perspective, but offers material highly relevant to Americans.
• "How can you be an ally to the Black Lives Matter Movement?" discussion on Al Jazeera. Jun 8, 2020.
• "Allyship - The Key To Unlocking The Power Of Diversity" by Sheree Atcheson. Forbes. November 30, 2018. Suggests actions for businesses to take in promoting antiracism and in valuing diversity.

Colorism

• "The Difference Between Racism and Colorism" by Lori L. Tharps. Time. October 6, 2016.
• “What’s ‘Colorism’?” by David Knight. Teaching Tolerance Issue 51, Fall 2015.
• "The Roots of Colorism, or Skin Tone Discrimination" by Nadra Kareem Nittle in ThoughtCo. Updated January 30, 2020.

Films and documentaries

Lists:

• "What Are the 50 Best Films about the Civil Rights Movement" from Huffington Post.
• "15 Movies and Documentaries About Race To Start the Conversation" from Good Housekeeping.
• Films about Racism in Wikipedia.

Documentaries:

• Eyes on the Prize. 1987-1990. Award-winning 14-part documentary on the American Civil Rights Movement.
• Good Hair – Chris Rock documentary exploring "the way hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationship, and self-esteem of the black community" that is simultaneously hilarious, truthful, and poignant.

Fiction and biography:

• Selma. 2014. 1963 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama to support voting rights of Black citizens.
• The Help.
• Do the Right Thing. 1989. A Spike Lee production examining violence and racism in Brooklyn.
• All the Hate U Give.
• Loving. 2016. True story of an interracial couple in Virginia who defy miscegenation laws.
• Harriet. 2020. Biography of Harriet Tubman.

Global perspectives

These are examples of resources for study of racism, antiracism, and related topics outside the domain of Black and White Americans.

• "Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race" by Renno Edo-Lodge. May 30, 2017. An exploration of racism in Great Britain, based on her book of the same name.
• "British-Nigerian actress shines a light on colorism in Netflix documentary" by Aisha Salaudeen on CNN. July 3, 2020. Explores colorism in Africa.
• "Indigenous Australians had their languages taken from them, and it's still causing issues today" by James Griffiths on CNN.July 20, 2020. On racist views of indigenous language in Australia.

Websites and social media

• Danielle Coke at @ohhappydani on Instagram and @ohhappydani on Twitter. Artist posts upbeat art on support, allyship, and activism.
• Anti-Racism In Action Facebook group.