10 very useful suggestions that parents, educators, and all concerned citizens can utilize in dealing with racism.
From Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence by Dr. Derald Wing Sue. Learn more: http://bit.ly/1xZs1tm
1. The American Psychological Association
has advocated 10 very useful suggestions
that parents, educators, and all concerned
citizens can utilize in dealing with racism.
10SUGGESTIONS FOR
COMBATING RACISM
2. 1
Examine your own prejudices, stereotypes,
and values; be willing to explore your own
experiences of being hurt by prejudice;
be open to hearing from people of color.
BE HONEST
3. 2
Volunteer to work on projects with groups
different from your own. It has been found that
working alongside a person of color as an equal
helps to destroy prejudices and stereotypes.
BE A PARTNER
4. 3
Be active in introducing your children to
interacting and learning from children of color,
before prejudices become solidified. Raise your
children to understand concepts such as
prejudice, discrimination, and racism.
BE AN
ANTIRACIST PARENT
5. 4
Being vocal in opposing racist views and
practices is very important for your son and
daughter to witness. Let them see you
interacting, laughing, talking, and enjoying
relationships with persons of color.
BE A ROLE MODEL
6. 5
Reach out, support victims of discrimination;
be willing to join them in advocating for
fair treatment. Speak out when you see
racial discrimination.
BE AN ALLY
7. 6
When you see racial injustice, speak out and object.
Be willing to challenge your family, friends, and
neighbors when they make racial jokes or slurs or
act in ways that indicate bias. Serve on groups and
committees that have a multicultural agenda.
BE AN ACTIVIST
8. 7
Join groups and organizations that stand
for equality of opportunity, social justice,
antidiscrimination, and antiracism.
BE A MEMBER
9. 8
As a coworker, parent, neighbor or teacher, you can
teach others to value diversity and multiculturalism.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, for example, can give
you examples of what ordinary citizens can do to combat
hatred and bigotry. (Their Teaching Tolerance magazine
and website offer many practical ideas and other resources.)
BE A TEACHER
10. 9
Educate yourself and others on an ongoing
basis, reading books, seeing movies, and going
to hear minority speakers to enlighten,
educate, and free us from our bigotry.
BE A STUDENT
11. 10
Do not be ashamed of your cultural heritage.
Do recognize both positive and negative
aspects of your groups; know your strengths
and limitations. Take an active part in
defining your Whiteness in a nonracist manner
and live by these newly found tenets.
BE SECURE
12. Following these guidelines will enlighten
and increase awareness and comfort in
talking about race issues by educators,
parents, and their students and children.
13. To learn more about combatting racism
in the classroom, at work, and at home,
explore Dr.Wing Sue’s book
Race Talk and the Conspiracy of Silence.