Systemic racism is racism that infects the very structure of our society. Systemic racism persists in our schools, offices, court system, police departments, military and elsewhere. White people occupy most positions of decision-making power so people of color have a difficult time achieving social and political equality. For example, reducing racist police behavior to a few bad cops who need to be removed, rather than seeing it exists in police departments all over the United States, neglects the systemic cause. Even when Black athletes, such as former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, peacefully protest, there is a refusal to see police brutality as part of a system, and that the system needs to change.
I see my anti-blackness in many actions and omissions. Choosing to live in a predominantly white neighborhood was an act of anti-blackness; no matter how much I tried to convince myself that it was the good schools that brought me there. I saw the school stats, but in the same website I saw the ethnicity breakdown, so it was a choice. As an extension, not seeing black people in my street makes “Black” be an instant defining feature whereas being white would require more information like clothes and hair color…Being in a white neighborhood also means that I have to make an effort to look for, find, learn about those underserved schools that I tried to avoid. This is just one reason why I see my anti-blackness. What I can do to help? A ton. Recognizing it is just the first step. In my case, as an educator, I will create and anti-racist curriculum for the next school year. One that includes black artists, that encourages self-reflection, provides opportunity for activism through the arts as well as for social involvement. There is so much to do…