Racism occurs when people are divided into distinct and exclusive biological groups or rather entities known as races. It is a worldwide hierarchy of power and inferiority in the societies which have been economically, culturally, and politically produced and replicated for years by the cultural institutions of the “patriarchal of western-centric/capitalist/Christian –centric system/ colonial world structure” amongst many other similar dividing criteria (Grosfoguel, 2016, p. 10). Therefore, given the precise manifold descriptions of racism as a power and inferiority system, there is a clear urgency to identify the concomitant multiplicity of anti-racisms (Paradies, 2016). To date, the focus of anti-racism by the largest body of the anti-racism initiative is pivoted on the “internalized, interpersonal, and institutional racism through prejudice reduction, countering stereotypes, and reducing discriminatory behavior among individual” (Paradies, 2016, p. 2). The body of anti-racism in defining anti-racism, it has encompassed all the essential components to draw a clear picture of the initiative.
From a broader perspective, anti-racism is a collection of ongoing events and empirical commitments to eliminate the culture of prejudice and discrimination based on several dividing factors. All anti-establishment fights- which, of course, entail antiracist movements, necessitate a number of risks (Ratele & Malherbe, 2020). Racial justice movements and activists suffer several stressors that impact their commitment and abilities to remain resilient and engaged in the activism mission (Gorski & Erakat, 2019). Practicing antiracist work is quite challenging and exhausting because of the roots established by White individuals. The success of antiracist movements will be significant when White allies contribute positively to developing support systems that nurture and promote such movements (Sue, 2017). Racism is a multiple-faceted culture having its origin rooted in the society. These attributes call for cooperation and commitment to eliminate the eminent challenge in the contemporary societies.
References
Gorski, P. C., & Erakat, N. (2019). Racism, whiteness, and burnout in antiracism movements: how white racial justice activists elevate burnout in racial justice activists of color in the United States. Ethnicities, 19(5), 784-808. Web.
Grosfoguel, R. (2016). What is racism? Journal of World-System Research, 22(1), 1-15. Web.
Paradies, Y. (2016). Whither anti-racism? Ethnic and racial studies. Taylor & Francis, 9(1), 1-15.
Ratele, K., & Malherbe, N. (2020). What antiracist psychology does and does not (do). South African Journal of Psychology, 50(3), 296-300.
Sue, D. W. (2017). The challenges of becoming a White ally. The Counseling Psychologist, 45(5), 706-716.