What White people can do to promote racial equity
Here are a few tips for white people in the U.S. who want to find ways to create equity for all. There are many more things you can do, but these are some thoughts and ideas that can get you moving in the right direction and committing in the long-term to improving the conditions in this country. Becoming involved and seeing the power you have to make changes also improves mental health. Fight for a just cause and be a part of creating the kind of change that you want.
Read Obama’s post about how to get involved in State and Local politics.
Support Black people and equity in your immediate world – what does your neighborhood look like? If there are no Black people, how come? How can you create equity in housing?
Check your local schools’ equity scores and suspension rates by race. If Black kids’ test scores are lower than other races, or if they are being suspended at rates disproportionate to the population in your school, how come? Are you concerned and involved in figuring this out? Are there Black teachers in your school? What is the curriculum? Are you connected to the Black parents in your school? Do you know what their concerns are? Do you listen to them and support them? Do you fight for change in the schools?
Can you help Black people build wealth and opportunity to correct generations of inequity? Are you hiring Black people? Supporting them in the work environment? Are you checking in with them, getting to know them and really having their back?
Are you investing in Black communities? Black businesses? Black arts? Black movements?
How are you making an impact in your immediate workplace and career?
Bring other White people along. Don’t give up on having difficult conversations with your family, your bosses, your kids, and institutions. Get through and over the discomfort and conflict and tension that arises. There is a culture of wanting to “keep the peace,” but by doing this you are perpetuating the problem. Talk to your family and make this a lifelong project. You have to be uncomfortable at times, and so do they.
Listen to Black people. What is being said by people you know and those you don’t. What do Black people need? Don’t just come up with your own agenda.
Commit in the long term to making this society and this world equal even if it’s in the smaller bubble of the world you inhabit – your home, your neighborhood, your work, your recreation.
Be aware of the ways you interact with people every day, learn about your own identity and culture and race, and please learn about the history of this country and the current inequities and realities of people around you. It’s not that hard to do. Even Black people have had to do some work to learn more. Read books by Black people, watch movies, go to talks. Don’t rely on conversations with the few Black people you know. There are so many resources. Please make a change. Life will be better for everyone, once there is more equality. Take action even if it’s small. It’s better than feeling helpless and powerless. You have a lot more power than you imagine. Here is a list of Anti-racism resources for White folks.
Lastly, if you mess up and are criticized, be okay with saying sorry and sitting with guilt and anger and helplessness for a moment. Don’t go to black people for absolution. Be okay with being uncomfortable, messing up, and being called out for it. This is part of the journey. Don’t do it because you want to look good. Do this work because it will benefit everyone, including you and your children, to live in a just society.
Nairobi National Park, Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Cory Nyamora is a licensed psychologist, an endurance sports coach with certifications from USA Triathlon. He is the founder of Endurance – A Sports & Psychology Center, Inc. He provides running and triathlon coaching for beginner and experienced athletes, as well as psychological services to athletes, children, adults, and families. He provides trainings for organizations on topics related to the intersections of sports and mental health and overall wellness.
Nairobi National Park, Nairobi, Kenya
