Anti-Oppression LibGuide

Racism: Prejudice + power. Racism is often understood as an individual state of being, as in someone is or isn’t racist. Racism, however, is not merely a personal attitude, it is a racialized system of power maintained by violence. In North America, an individual can be perpetuating this system without even being conscious of their actions (Source: Simmons College Anti-Oppression Guide: http://simmons.libguides.com/anti-oppression). 

• Anyone can hold racial prejudice. 
• People of any race can commit acts of mistreatment based on their racial prejudices. 
• People of color can have prejudices, but they cannot be racist because they don't have the institutional power. 

Systemic /Structural Racism: Developed by sociologist Joe Feagin,  a system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations, and other norms work in various, often reinforcing ways to perpetuate racial group inequity. It identifies dimensions of our history and culture that have allowed privileges associated with “whiteness” and disadvantages associated with “color” to endure and adapt over time. Structural racism is not something that a few people or institutions choose to practice. Instead, it has been a feature of the social, economic and political systems in which we all exist. 

Reverse-Racism: DOES NOT EXIST. There are assumptions and stereotypes about white people. However, such assumptions and stereotypes are examples of racial prejudice. Remember, racism = prejudice + power.  

Terms adapted from: 

• Anti-violence project
• Race forward: The center for racial justice innovation 

• Welcome to the Anti-racist movement- Here's what you missed: "Hi! I see you there! Welcome to the anti-racist movement. I know you were kind of hoping to sneak in the back of the class in the middle of this semester and then raise your hand in a few days to offer up expert opinion as you've always been here- but you've been spotted, and I have some homework for you because you've missed a lot and we don't have the time to go over it all together." 
   
• Understanding systemic Anti-Black racism in the United States: A reference list for #Blacklivesmatter:  "This list focuses specifically on structural racism - the institutions, policies, and practices that systematically exploits and disadvantage Black people and other people of color in the United States. It also includes numerous resources to help white folks and non-Black people of color better understand and dismantle their own knee-jerk responses to challenging conversations about race issues the first step toward meaningful self-education and productive conversations."
   
• Anti-racist resources for educators:  "The Race Institute for K-12 Educators is an affordable and accessible opportunity for educators to grow their racial identities."
   
• Anti-racism resource Guide: "This anti-racist resource guide was crafted amidst the anger of the latest black body turned hashtag #AhmaudArbery. It is consistently being updated to address the current climate of our country and the personal growth needed to sustain this life-long journey. Please note that this document was and will continue to be a group effort."
  
• Talking about race from the National Museum of African American History and Culture: Web portal for starting a conversation about institutional race in the United States. 
   
• Anti-racist resource center:  "The Anti-Racism Resource Centre was created by the Community and Race Relations Committee of Peterborough to be a clearinghouse of information related to ending hate crime, racism, and discrimination in Peterborough and surrounding areas."