Understanding Racism 101

1. It can be overt and intentional as in White supremacist groups who advocate for and work to eliminate people of color and hold hatred for Jews. Think Charlottesville Unite the Right Rally.

2. It can be covert and intentional as in redlining, gerrymandering, housing segregation, confederate statues and symbols, a criminal justice system where black and brown men have a greater chance of going to prison than their white counterparts committing the same crimes.

3. It can be overt and unintentional as in racial jokes and racially offensive Halloween costumes. It can be willful ignorance as in “I am not racist. I never owned slaves.”

4. It can be in covert and unintentional as in modern forms such as in racial slurs, hiring practices, discriminatory selling of goods and services, and disriminatory business practices. Think about it as just sitting in Starbucks, napping in your college lounge, entering your own home, or out jogging and then you are accused of threatening and attacking others…so much so that the police is called.

5. It can be passive tolerance of others who espouse discriminatory beliefs or practices. Think Republicans who refuse to condemn Trump’s racist tweets.

6. It can be policies and practices designed to keep the status quo of whites in control and in dominance. Think voter…