'The beauty of anti-racism is that you don't have to pretend to be free of racism to be anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it's the only way forward'- @ljeomaOluo
Due to historical white supremacy and its impact on cultural ideas and norms, often unintentionally everyone has taken action with racist consequences. Instead of denying this is it or becoming defensive, we can use the realisation of covert racism to purposely change. In the light of injustice it is really valuable to see the importance of taking action to promote change rather than being silent which equates to compliance a in racially prejudice culture- this is where the phrase 'White silence is violence' stems from.'If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor'- Desmond Tutu
Anti-racism isn't a set of beliefs, it's a set of actions that form an allyship. It's hard-work, uncomfortable, active and constant striving for change.
Being an anti-racist ally....
Understand that white supremacy occurs both overtly in socially unacceptable ways (hate crimes, lynching, racist jokes, KKK, Blackface, the N-word, racial slurs, Neo-Nazis, Swastikas etc) and more often covertly, in ways socially accepted ( white silence, Eurocentric curriculum, white saviour complex, mass incarceration, racial profiling, claiming reverse racism, gaslighting, bootstrap theory, denial of white privilege, Eurocentric beauty standards, Anti- immigration policies, cultural appropriation ... the list goes on).
Act against overt and covert racism - this means standing up for minorities and calling out racist actions, words, systems and beliefs every single time.
Educate yourself - use ideas of books, podcasts, films/TEDtalks (etc) recommended on the 'Action' page, read document compiled by Sarah Sophie, Flicker and Alyssa Klein- https://www.goodgoodgood.co/anti-racism-resources with more resources and use google to research yourself.
De-prioritise white comfort- White/majority comfort isn't more important than opportunities, safety and humanity of Black people! Society was built and designed by white people who have made life hostile for ethnic minorities which is constantly uncomfortable or dangerous. 'Remember you will never be as uncomfortable in your challenging of racism as a minority person is with a knee in their throat'- @naomi_ackie
Listen- People from majorities are used to being heard and listened to more than friends and colleagues from minorities, so take time to de-centralise yourself from the conversation and listen to minority voices without inserting your own thoughts. You can learn from listening to the experiences of marginalised groups.
Amplify Black voices- after listening, use your own privilege to demand the change that POC want to see and do not take the credit for their voices/ideas.
Understand the only way to show allyship is through your anti-racist actions- having friends or family from ethnic minorities doesn't prove you don't have prejudice. Anti-racist actions show and promote your beliefs.
Don't tell minorities they're grieving/reacting in the wrong way- if they feel angry, allow them to feel a full range of their feelings.
No one is ever too old to have their prejudiced attitudes challenged or be held accountable. No one is ever too young to learn, black children have to learn about living in a racist society their whole lives from casual racism, their practised police interactions or the 'twice as hard for half as much' conversation with their parents.
Facilitate family discussions- learn as a family and have conversations.
'Ignorance is bliss and until we are all equal no one is living in bliss'- learn about the history of Black oppression to facilitate your fight for social change.
https://novareid.com/ offers an online course and free anti-racism guide