Do you want to fight racism and campaign against injustices such as xenophobia? Then you've come to the right place!
I hate injustice! And on closer inspection, the very words "xenophobia", "xenophobia" and "xenophobia" as synonyms for racism are unfair, as they suggest that anyone who doesn't look "typically German" is foreign. As White I can only begin to imagine how hard it must be to be discriminated against and disadvantaged or even ostracized in everyday situations because of the color of your skin, your origin or your religion. But just knowing that racism is omnipresent is enough for me not to simply accept this injustice without doing anything.
In this article, I would like to give you ten valuable tips against racism. Find out below what you can do personally to stop discrimination based on different biological characteristics in our society. Because silence neither helps nor protects. Let's go!
You can find a brief overview here in advance:
- Find out about racism
- Listen to those affected
- Internalize your privileges
- Call racism by its name instead of remaining silent
- Stand up for those affected
- Support anti-racism organizations
- Watch your language
- Participate in demonstrations
- Sign and share petitions
- Don't speak for others, but support them
Notice: I speak in this article only of White and People of Colorto clarify the respective political position.
1. inform yourself about racism
We don't need to discuss whether racism exists at all. It has been part of our society forever. Racism is not always malicious. Racism is also not automatically right-wing radicalism - racist thoughts and actions do not always happen consciously - and that is why the issue really does concern everyone.
Everyday Racism is, for example, when people ask you where you come from because of your appearance or speak to you in English even though German is your mother tongue. If someone thinks you're a thief just because you look different - or if others simply don't notice you because you look different. Xenophobia on the other hand, is genuine and often directly expressed hatred against people from a certain region, a different people or a different culture. Everyday racism is often unintentional - xenophobia is not.
How and where do I get the best information?
Racism arises from ignorance and prejudice. Read blogs and books by those affected, such as "What white people don't want to hear about racism - but should know" by Alice Hasters. (you get here*)
Look at Documentations for example via the "Black Lives Matter" Movement.
Read also important Studies on racism in your country - for example "Racist realities" from the National Discrimination and Racism Monitor (NaDiRa), a study conducted by the German Center for Integration and Migration Research is created. Here are some facts from it:
- Around two thirds of the German population has ever come into direct or indirect contact with racism.
- 49 percent of respondents believe in the existence of human races.
- 52 percent find the fear of racism exaggerated.
- About 70 percent of the population are prepared to take a stand against racism.
These are frightening, but also encouraging statistics. With this knowledge and the sources of information mentioned, it is much easier to put oneself in the position of the victims, to recognize racist thinking and actions more quickly and, last but not least, to combat them more effectively.
2. listen to those affected
If you are not personally and regularly confronted with racist remarks, how can you really - I mean with absolute certainty - judge what racism feels like? If you want to learn more about racist actions and fight racism, you should talk to people of color more often, listen to them and acknowledge their experiences of racism. It is extremely painful for many of those affected to even deal with racism against themselves - but it is the only way to truly overcome it.
As White you usually have no idea what racism really means - by listening you can only learn - and by learning you can help to stop racism in our society.
3. internalize your privileges
Because racism reinforces unjust power relations. Whether you like it or not - as a whiter Man often benefits one in everyday situations just because of the color of your skin. For example, at school, at job interviews, in court hearings, when looking for an apartment or during police checks.
"White people can wake up every day and decide if they want to deal with racism. I can't do that."
David, student from Hamburg (with aware)
We enjoy, often unconsciously, a real privilege. It is important to recognize and understand thatinstead of ignoring facts or even throwing around racist slogans like "If you want to find work, you'll find work".
4. call racism by its name instead of remaining silent
What else can you do to combat racism? Name it directly when you observe it. By remaining silent, it is silently, secretly accepted and socially normalized. Make it visible, but stay factual and don't switch to attack. When asked about their everyday racism, many people react very offended because they have behaved in a racist way rather unconsciously and unknowingly. But now they know - and are sensitized.
Example: "Give me the skin color pencil" - an everyday racist request that suggests that there is only ONE skin color. But people have different skin colors. So simply ask the question "What skin color?".
5. stand up for those affected
Do you notice how someone is discriminated against, excluded or insulted because of their skin color or other biological characteristics? Whether online or offline - take a stand, get involved and show solidarity with the victims! Racist slogans or actions must not be accepted. Supported those affected in reporting cases to the police and hold the perpetrators accountable. Offer yourself as a witness. Intervene instead of looking away - because looking away is precisely the reason why racist patterns of thought and action can spread in the first place.
6. support anti-racism organizations
Fortunately, there are countless Public institutions, organizations, associations, projects and (private) initiativeswho campaign against racist discrimination and violence on a daily basis. Here too, you can make a financial donation or, for example, actively support their educational work at weekends.
7. pay attention to your language
An adapted choice of words may not change any social framework conditions, but it prevents existing racism from constantly reproducing itself. In addition, there is a substantive confrontation with one's own (possibly racist) language, which can initiate real change.
However, it is not enough to simply stop using the "N-word" or expressions with negative connotations. Rather, it is about adapting racist thought patterns - namely that the differences between Whites and People of Color are so large that they should be differentiated. However, there is no biological basis for dividing people into different races. Anyone who thinks in racist terms is acting arbitrarily and unscientifically. We should all take that to heart in our choice of words.
8. participate in demonstrations
Racism is a social injustice against which we must all raise our voices. There are countless well-organized anti-racism demonstrations that you can take part in, to show attitude and racism. For example in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne and countless other German cities. If you want diversity, you have to get involved and get loud!
9. sign and share petitions
Petitions are a wonderful way to Initiate change in our society. By signing, sharing or even initiating a petition against a (racist) grievance, you can make a real difference.
For example, campaign for anti-racism to be included in the school curriculum - or for an obviously racist board member of a large company to resign. As long as many people share your views and wishes, nothing is really impossible.
Tip: How to make your own start a successful online petitionyou can find out in the linked article!
10. do not speak for others, but support them
As White you can simply never fully comprehend how brutal it must feel to be racially insulted. For example, I once felt discriminated against on a trip to India because I was stared at and groped because of my light skin color or my appearance. But such moments are usually positive attentionbecause white people are often seen as wealthier and more attractive.
In the case of positive racism, the attributes are positive and superior - this can be endured because one is not attacked or disadvantaged. Negative racism is, however, when the attributes are more negative and lowered. For example, people are insulted, excluded or oppressed because of the color of their skin. As a rule, white people are not victims of this form of racism. And certainly not permanently and regularly.
That's why you shouldn't speak for those affected by negative racism, but you should still take a stand and support them. In this article, for example, I am not speaking for others - but I have listened and pass on the findingsto combat racism.
Fight racism and don't remain silent!
Protection against discrimination is a Human right, compliance with which Basic prerequisite for a democratic discourse is - people must not be marginalized because of their origin or their faith.
If we want to stop racism, we must not look away. To successfully combat this injustice in our society, we must listen, question our own behavior and adapt, Advocating change, raise our voices and stand up against this brutal form of discrimination.
I hope that I have been able to explain to you what racism means and how we could end it as a global society. Do you have any questions, tips or your own experiences of racism that you would like to share? Then I look forward to your comments.
Stay human,
PS.: Did you know that you can also get through Veganism human rights support? In the linked article, I explain why you can do even more for other people if you stop consuming animal products.
