Defining the terms:
We often use vocabulary around racial injustice in different ways and with different understandings of what words mean. We invite you to explore resources that will help us to define a shared vocabulary for the duration of Lent
Anti-racist: the work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life
Implicit bias: implicit biases are associations that people unknowingly hold with regard to race, gender, age, religion, & other topics
Prejudice: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience
Racism: different from racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination. Racism involves one group having the power to carry out systematic discrimination through the institutional policies and practices of the society and by shaping the cultural beliefs and values that support those racist policies and practices
Systemic Racism: ways in which institutional policies and practices create different outcomes for different racial groups. The institutional policies may never mention any racial group, but their effect is to create advantages for whites and oppression and disadvantage for people from groups classified as people of color.
White privilege: the unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits and choices bestowed on people solely because they are white. Generally white people who experience such privilege do so without being conscious of it. Does not mean white people have not suffered, but that their suffering was not made more difficult due to their racial group.
White supremacy: ideology that white people and the ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions of white people are superior to People of Color and their ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Not all racist actions are white supremacy.
FOR WHITE PEOPLE: After reading the definitions-take note of your reactions. What did you learn? What did you struggle with? White people in the US benefit from racist systems to some degree. Have you ever considered racism to include more than interpersonal interactions?
Additional Resources:
Equality v Equity and Other Racial Justice Definitions (by Annie E Casey Foundation)
Racial Equity Tools Glossary (by Racial Equity Tools)
Families:
Kids Talk About Race & Racism (by PBS, hosted by Amanda Gorman) A video for parents and younger kids (elementary-aged) to watch together about how to begin and continue the conversation about race & racism