Equity Challenge: Week 8
Welcome to week 8 of the 21 Week Equity Challenge!
 
After seeing how racism is internalized, we will now examine how these feelings can permeate person-to-person interactions, how interpersonal racism is showing up in our world today, and ways we can begin to confront instances of interpersonal racism. 
Week 8: Interpersonal Racism
Here are some questions to get you thinking about interpersonal racism.

  • Where have you observed instances of interpersonal racism in the news? Have you seen or heard racist or bigoted behavior and comments in your community or among family and friends? How did it make you feel? How did you react?

  • Are you comfortable with intervening around racist behavior? If so, what have you found effective? What has not worked?

  • If you have not been able to intervene productively, why not? What is needed to be able to do this?
Interpersonal racism is the biased response that occurs when individuals interact with others who are considered racially different than themselves. As explored in the recent weeks of the challenge, we all have beliefs and biases about the world. When these private belief systems show up in interactions with others, resulting in public expressions of prejudice, bias, bigotry or hate toward a person of another race, the result is interpersonal racism (source).
 
In our day-to-day life, interpersonal racism might look like a white person refusing to rent an apartment to a person of color, passing over a resume based on the applicant’s name, or making a racist joke. It may show up in anonymous expressions of hate on digital platforms – or in violent acts and hate crimes.
 
Everyone has a role in calling out racism and bigotry. Taking action can be challenging. Calling out someone who has said or done something that perpetuates racism in a productive way requires practice and courage. 
Week 8 Challenge
With the questions and definition above in mind, do at least one of the following:
READ:

Common Racist Attitudes and Behaviors
Read this article see a list of 28 common racist attitudes and behaviors that indicate a detour or wrong turn into white guilt, denial or defensiveness. Each is followed by a statement that is a reality check and consequence for harboring such attitudes.
 
Speak Up! Handbook: Responding to Everyday Bigotry (long read/source to reference)
The Southern Poverty Law Center gathered stories of everyday bigotry from people across the United States and shares tactics for speaking up against bias and hate. Each section of this long-form resource takes around 10 minutes to read. You may want to keep this handy for review and reference as you look to build your skills in responding to everyday bigotry.
WATCH:

The Little Problem I had Renting a House (13:45)
Fifty-three years ago, James A. White Sr. joined the US Air Force. But as an African American man, he had to go to shocking lengths to find a place for his young family to live nearby. He tells this powerful story about the lived experience of "everyday racism" -- and how it echoes today in the way he's had to teach his grandchildren to interact with police. (Subtítulos en español disponibles.)
 
The Muslim on the Airplane (15:58)
Watching the news, it seems like ethnic divides are ever deepening. But how can we solve these complicated problems when each side lives in fear of the other? The answer is simple, argues Syrian American poet Amal Kassir – it starts with, “what’s your name?”

LISTEN:

Ask Code Switch: What About Your Friends (50-minute listen)
This episode of Code Switch focuses on helping listeners understand how race and racism affect our lives and friendships.



Share your reflections or additional resources about today’s topic on social media using #EquityChallenge - or send us a note at unitedway@unitedwayracine.org
 
Learn more about the Challenge and review weekly topics by visiting
Local Resources
A weekly book discussion group reading books on race and racism.

A yearlong, faith-based series of interactive and multidimensional public events. The series goal is to increase our understanding of how we think and feel about racism, resulting in actions that can help to transform us as individuals and the systems of racism in our country. 

The YWCA of SEW Wisconsin offers a variety of trainings about different facets of equity, such as structural racism, cultural differences, social transformation and more.

Higher Expectations engages community partners, aligns efforts, and maximizes resources to promote excellence and equity in education and employment outcomes in Racine County.
Hear from Deanna Singh, Founder/Chief Change Agent of Flying Elephant and her husband Justin on how to talk to your children about race to help children develop a healthy understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Events

Community Safe Zone Trainings are public events that provide education on the LGBTQ+ community. Register here.
Monday, March 29 at 5 p.m.

University of Wisconsin - Parkside
Center for Ethnic Studies Annual Conference
Wednesday, April 7 3:30 -7:15 p.m.
Make your commitment to inclusion—the active, intentional and ongoing engagement with diversity—official by signing our Declaration of Inclusion Pledge. This pledge is to respect and appreciate all aspects of any person, including race, religion, skin color, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, physical abilities, age, parental status, work and behavioral styles, and the perspectives of each individual as shaped by their nation, culture and experiences. You will also receive our quarterly diversity newsletter to build your "equity muscle."