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'''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
'''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."<ref>[http://www.aclrc.com/antiracism-definedNAC International Perspectives: Women and Global  Solidarity].</ref> 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.'''
[[File:Stop Racism Black And White Hands.png|right|230px|thumb]]
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 [[Objects of the Theosophical Society#First Object|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-Race|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. 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 embraced.
== Antiracism as culture and self-transformation ==
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.<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/thestream/2020/06/ally-black-lives-matter-movement-200608205806750.html "How can you be an ally to the Black Lives Matter Movement?"] discussion on Al Jazeera. Jun 8, 2020.</ref> Whites have to educate themselves in the history and language and actions and fabric of racism before they can hope to begin leading 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.
* [http://www.antiracistalliance.com/index.html Anti-Racist Alliance] offers units of curriculum with links to many resources, workshops, and meetings.
*
== Terminology ==
* [https://www.bing.com/search?q=anti-racism%20glossary&form=MY01F6&filters=lite:%22.VHJpdmlhQ2Fyb3VzZWxeQU5USV9SQUNJU01fRU4tVVNfMV5QT0xF%22&crslsl=0&efirst=1 "Antiracism Glossary"] at Bing.
* [https://www.nccj.org/resources/social-justice-definitions "Social Justice Definitions"] at National Conference for Community and Justice.
*
== Resources for those aspiring to be antiracists ==
This is just a sampling of the materials that are available on these subjects.
=== Bibliographies ===
* [https://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/uprootingracismbibliography.pdf "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.
* [http://www.antiracistalliance.com/Bibliography-Resources.html "Selected Antiracist Resources"] at AntiRacistAlliance. Developed by [www.pisab.org People's Institute for Survival and Beyond].
=== Websites and social media ===
* Danielle Coke at [https://www.instagram.com/ohhappydani/?hl=en  @ohhappydani] on Instagram and [https://twitter.com/ohhappydani?lang=en @ohhappydani] on Twitter. Artist posts upbeat art on support, allyship, and activism.
=== History of racism ===
* [https://time.com/5864302/teaching-current-events-history/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=history&utm_content=20200717&xid=newsletter-history&et_rid=33348893 xx]
* [http://www.antiracistalliance.com/consequences.html "Curriculum Part Two: Understanding the Consequences"] at AntiRacistAlliance. Collection of articles and resources on structural racism and its impacts.
===Antiracism ===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzuOlyyQlug "How to Be an Antiracist"] by Ibrahm X. Kendi.
* [http://www.antiracistalliance.com/movement.html "Curriculum Part Three: Taking Action Toward Solutions / Action & Feedback"] at AntiRacistAlliance. Collection of articles and resources on structural racism and its impacts.
* [https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2020/07/16/race-black-friend-racism-george-floyd-injustice-column/5442278002/ "Don't Let your anti-racist passion die: Advice from your one Black friend"] by Kelli Williams.
=== 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.
* [http://www.antiracistalliance.com/whiteness.html "Curriculum Part One: Whiteness"] at AntiRacistAlliance. Collection of articles on Whiteness and privilege.
=== Allyship ===
* [https://guidetoallyship.com/ Guide to Allyship] by Amelie Lamont. "An open source starter guide to help you become a more thoughtful and effective ally."
* [https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/thestream/2020/06/ally-black-lives-matter-movement-200608205806750.html "How can you be an ally to the Black Lives Matter Movement?"] discussion on Al Jazeera. Jun 8, 2020.
=== Colorism ===
* [https://time.com/4512430/colorism-in-america/ "The Difference Between Racism and Colorism"] by Lori L. Tharps. ''Time''. October 6, 2016.
* [https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2015/whats-colorism “What’s ‘Colorism’?”] by David Knight. Teaching Tolerance Issue 51, Fall 2015.
* [https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-colorism-2834952 "The Roots of Colorism, or Skin Tone Discrimination"] by  Nadra Kareem Nittle in ThoughtCo. Updated January 30, 2020.
=== Popular culture ===
* ''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.
=== Global perspectives ===
These are examples of resources for study of racism, antiracism, and related topics outside the domain of Black and White Americans.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vJZdeSqfFY  "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.
* [https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/03/africa/colorism-documentary-africa/index.html "British-Nigerian actress shines a light on colorism in Netflix documentary"] by Aisha Salaudeen on CNN. July 3, 2020. Explores colorism in Africa.
* [https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/20/australia/australia-indigenous-language-rights-intl-hnk/index.html "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.
== Notes ==
<references/>
[[Category:Reading lists|Antiracism]]
[[Category:Courses of study and action|Antiracism]]

Revision as of 21:39, 14 November 2021

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