racial justice toolkit

• 10 Easy things you can do for racial justice
• Things you can do to eliminate racism
• Eliminate racism at home

10 easy things you can do for racial justice

1.  Don't laugh at racist, sexist, ageist, homophobic and other stereotypical jokes or assumptions.
By laughing, you're acknowledging the joke is appropriate and encouraging more inappropriate comments. You can interrupt without being rude. Don't let your silence speak for you. Simply say, "I don't find that funny," or "I don't appreciate jokes like that."

2.  Make an effort to get to know people different than you.
Look for things in common with other people and celebrate the differences. We can learn from and appreciate something about everyone.

3.  Learn about other people and their culture.
By learning about other people, your life will be greatly enriched and your appreciation for your own culture will deepen.

4.  Think before you speak.
Words can hurt, whether you mean them to or not. When describing a person, think if mentioning their race is important to the story. Do your refer to everyone from South or Central America as Mexican? If you don't know someone's country of origin, don't assume. Some people prefer Black , while others like African-American. Some prefer Latino/a, others like Hispanic. If you're unsure which to use, ask. It's important to use the correct language.

5.  Be a role model.
Be vocal in opposing discriminatory views and practices, especially with friends and family who respect your opinion. Don't criticize, but help educate others about issues and about your own experiences.

6.  Don't make assumptions.
Stereotypes hurt everyone. Examine what your prejudices are and make adjustments to look at everyone as an individual.

7.  Explore the unfamiliar.
Attend an organization meeting, religious service or travel to a new region where you are in the minority. For example, if you are Christian attend a Jewish service at a synagogue. If you attend an all white suburban school visit an inner-city multi-cultural school. This first-hand experience can be enlightening and give you perspective.

8.  Work on projects with members of groups different from your own.
Working as an equal alongside others from different groups on a common project is one of the best ways to undo prejudice and increase familiarity with others.

9.  Be a proactive parent.
Expose your children to diversity at a young age. Read stories that explain the point of view of other groups. Discuss TV shows, movies or books that present stereotypes. Children can benefit from knowing other children from different groups at very early ages, before prejudices and biases are formed.

10.  Support anti-prejudice and anti-racist organizations.
Whether your efforts are in volunteering, financial donation or being an advocate, working with other groups working toward the same goal can be beneficial to you and the community. You'll meet great people and find real support for your efforts. By getting involved, your voice can make a big difference at the local level. Donate your time to the YWCA by becoming a volunteer.

Things YOU Can do to Eliminate Racism. . .

1. Select a miniority vendor for your next personal or business purchase.
2. Examine individuals applying for positions, or who are currently employed, who have credentials from other countries.  Are they being considered and compensated in the same way that those who are American born and educated?
3. Confront those telling racial jokes or using negative stereotypes about the insensitivity and inappropriateness of such remarks,  Call people out!
4. If it looks and smells like privilege/racism, it is!  Be on the look out for racism because unfortunately, there are hints everywhere.
5. Participate in local events, cultural or museum presentations, outside of your comfort zone (Diversity Dinner, Congo Theater performance, etc.)
6. Refuse to tolerate racism in any setting (business, social, etc.); speak up againast racist comments or actions.
7. Look peple in the eye when you speak to them.
8. Do not let racist remarks or actions go unchallenged even if they are uttered or done by a friend, relative or total stranger.  Point out that their remark/action is racist and ask them to stop.
9. Have your child invite a student of a different background over for a play date.
10. Acknowledge that racism still exists.

Eliminate Racism ... Eliminate Racism at Home Action                                                                                                       Result/Output Read - and encourage your children to read - books promote understanding of different cultures, as well as those that are written by authors of diverse backgrounds.  Discuss as a family the impact of prejudicial attitudes and behavior.            One becomes knowledgeable and able to provide as much accurate information as possible to reject harmful myths and stereotypes.   Learn more about what racism means - read a book, participate in a discussion group, take a training course and talk with your friends and colleagues. Establish a Racial Justice Library of books and videos for others to use and to enrich their cultural experience.        Eliminate Racism at School Action                                                                                                      Result/Output Organize a contest (essay, t-shirt logo or anti-hate poster campaign) that encourages people to intervene when confronted with instances of prejudice.                                        Winning entries could be published in the school or local community newspaper or broadcast on cable program bulletin boards.    Eliminate Racism in the Workplace Action                                                                                                      Result/Output Sponsor a lunchtime "brown bag" series that features speakers on diversity topics.  Research, distribute and discuss weekly updates on racially motivated news items.              Integration of regular forum with consistent meeting times to discuss racism at your place of employment.   Participate in local events, cultural or museum presentations, outside your comfort zone (Diversity Dinner, Congo Theater performances, etc.)  Create a display area where employees can post notices of events and activities happening.     Eliminate Racism in your House of Worship Action                                                                                                     Result/Output Organize an interfaith retreat for young people to increase understanding of each other's beliefs and build lasting friendships.                                                     Reach out to diverse religious communities to co-sponsor festivals and holiday observances that highlight and celebrate our common humanity.     Eliminate Racism in the Community Action                                                                                                     Result/Output Conduct a community wide "Walk/Run Against Hate" event, "Hoops for Harmony" basketball tournament or "Race Against Racism" concert or dance-a-thon.                        Sponsored participants will donate all monies pledged to an anti-bias or other human rights organization.