6 ways to combat racism when you see it

Lindsay Tigar

In a turbulent political climate, the tense energy of the country can be felt throughout homes, businesses and communities. As more discussions surrounding volatile situations are sparked, people are more aware of acts of racism than they were before. Courtney Geter, a psychologist based in Georgia, says people see or experience racism on a daily basis. However, they might not always be aware that racism is occurring, or they may be engaging in it — whether intentionally or not.

While it is difficult accept how robust an issue discrimination continues to be, standing up for equality and human rights is not only important — it’s empowering. The greatest hurdle for most is understanding how to effectively voice support and combat racism without being inappropriate or stirring violence. This fear keeps many could-be activists from standing tall and firm, especially when they witness racist acts in person or digitally. With the right approach, there are meaningful ways to make a difference. Experts recommend the following ways of starting now.

Address any fears you are harboring.

Depending on the house you grew up in — or in many instances, the city and state — Geter says you might have internalized fears that have resulted in racism. Without fully understanding how you innately respond to certain people or situations, you could project these views through words or actions. Often, Geter says, we don’t know why we have this fear in the first place, and it’s important to get to the heart of our own perspectives, especially before you impact others. “This process of exploring your own internalized fear or past experiences can be scary for some and lead to vulnerability,” she explains. If you are struggling, Geter recommends creating a supportive group of friends or finding a therapist where you can explore in a safe space.

Remember your responsibility.

Before you can help to curve the issue, licensed psychologist Sarah Schewitz says to define your “why.” By this, she means accepting the innate responsibility we all share to support those who are mistreated based on aspects about themselves they can’t control — like the color of their skin or their ethnic background. While everyone should feel this duty, Schewitz challenges the majority group of the United States to step up. “It’s particularly important for Caucasian people to combat racism as we are ultimately the ones who perpetuated it for so long,” she continues. “Hearing a white person comment on inequality and racism has a lot more impact than when a person of color makes the same statement, because it comes off as less defensive.”

Be candid with your friends.

In your extended network, there are likely to be people you aren’t as close to or whose opinions you don’t agree with. While this is common and to be expected, Schewitz says you shouldn’t be afraid of calling out racism when you hear it or see it. You may worry about rocking the boat, causing a scene or coming across as dramatic, but you could be educating someone who doesn’t realize the contagious poison their words carry. “If you are at a party and somebody tells a racist joke or makes a racist comment, call them out. Tell them you find that kind of language inappropriate and far from humorous,” she suggests. By approaching it in a nonconfrontational way and explaining how their actions directly impacted not only you, but a group of people, you may help them change their attitude. At the very least, they may think twice before they speak ill of minority groups in the future.

Challenge organizations to be more inclusive.

Whether it is your employer, the volunteer group you’re part of or the leadership council where you sit on the board, part of combating racism is bringing the issue to the top. This is especially true if you are in a position of power. Schewitz explains you have the ability to make waves that ripple down into all levels of a company or an organization. “This might look like asking your professional board or company to embrace diversity while hiring. It might look like giving your business to companies that have a diverse staff when given the choice between multiple companies,” she suggests. “Or it might look like asking your church to reach out to different neighborhoods in an effort to increase diversity in your congregation.”

When in public, access the situation.

While Geter agrees with Schewitz about the importance of speaking up against racism within your network, in public situations, she stresses proceeding with caution. “If you feel it is not safe to say something, then don’t. Putting yourself at risk or creating a more hostile situation will not be effective,” she explains. When you’re at a mall or a restaurant and you witness racism, consider speaking with the manager or even calling the local chamber of commerce to voice your concerns. This is a way of pushing against discrimination without putting yourself — or your family or friends — in a dangerous predicament.

Demand equality be taught early on.

For many activists, education is the first step in solving many prevalent societal issues. That’s why Schewitz challenges communities to engage with younger generations. “Call up your high school, college or graduate school and ask them to offer mandatory cross-cultural competency classes that teach all students about racism, white privilege and advocacy,” she explains.

If you feel impassioned, you may even lead a neighborhood discussion and invite locals to attend. When taking this route, keeping an open mind is essential, according to Geter. “If you never learned about racism and the micro-aggressions marginalized populations experience, then hearing real-life experiences may be foreign to you or not make sense. This is a time to further learn and expand your own knowledge,” she continues. “Don’t discount another person’s experience. Instead, ask them questions about that experience to better understand how it is racism.”

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