Who am I? Why am I trying to do this?
To put it simply, I am a Grade 8 student in Vancouver, BC striving for more equality in the world. We are wishing for more awareness regarding racism and for more people to see the detrimental effects it has on communities. We are hoping that more people will see the value of being anti-racist and they can do their part. Anti-racism is a conscious and ongoing effort to work against all types of racism. We think of racism not as a conscious or intentional action, but rather a covert and unintentional action. Racism does not usually happen intentionally but more often institutionally happens, as a result of people becoming more and more numb to racism around them. "The beauty of anti-racism is that you don't have to pretend to be free of racism to be anti-racism. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself, And it's the only way forward." -Ijeoma Oluo. Anti-racists are those who express the idea that all racial groups are equal, none better, none worse, and support reducing racial inequality. To understand what a anti-racist is, you must understand what a anti-racist is not. We are not non-racist, if you are a non-racist you are neutral to racism and "Silence is Compliance". "One endorses either the idea of a racial hierarchy as a racist, or racial equality as an anti-racist," he says. "One either believes problems are rooted in groups of people, as a racist, or locates the roots of problems in power and policies, as an anti-racist. One either allows racial inequities to persevere, as a racist, or confronts racial inequities, as an anti-racist."-Ibram X. Kendi. To be an anti-racist one must understand how they are influenced by institutional racism before questioning racist policies. There are differences between an anti-racism ally and an anti-racist. An ally supports the cause and is interested in the issue, but does not actively engage in actions. An anti-racist actively fights against racist structures and policies, but rather, an ally is more supportive.
It took too long for people to listen to anti-racism activists, now that they are listening we must recognize our power in creating change