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When it comes to racism and discrimination, real and substantive change can only be achieved through the concerted and on-going efforts of many.
Benjamin Franklin
American statesman, diplomat, writer, scientist
and inventor and a leading figure in the American struggle for independence
"Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are."
Edmund Burke
18th-century philosopher
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Ending racism and discrimination is simple in concept. It’s just not easy in practice.
How important is ending racism and discrimination to you?
If it is truly important to you, I encourage you to read on.
Four simple steps
Before tackling racism and discrimination specifically, consider these essential steps for achieving any meaningful social change:
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Identify the goal clearly
For example: help reduce and eliminate racial injustice and discriminatory practices in all their forms -
Understand your motivation
Why does this matter to you? Perhaps because you believe all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or other characteristics, should have equal opportunities to thrive. -
Assess your commitment level
How important is achieving this goal to you, and what are you willing to do to make it happen? -
Take sustained action
Begin working toward the goal, understanding that meaningful change requires time, persistence, and collective effort.
With this framework in mind, here's why ending racism and discrimination is simple in concept but challenging in practice.
The Reality: There Is No Neutral Position
Ending racism and discrimination requires action.
There is no neutral position.
When it comes to ending racism and discrimination, the only thing that matters is your actions, not your intentions.
(If not now, be sure to read this link later.).
What are you willing to do to create change?
I'm tired of hearing "I'm not racist" or "I don't discriminate." The truth is that very few people self-identify as prejudiced, yet discriminatory systems persist.
While most people acknowledge that racism and discrimination exist (though they may disagree on severity), few admit to participating in these systems. As Eduardo Bonilla-Silva demonstrates in his seminal book, Racism without Racists, even if no individual identified as racist, systemic barriers would continue through structures in employment, education, housing, healthcare, and finance that disadvantage marginalized groups.
Beyond “Not Racist” and "Not Discriminatory"
Being "not racist" or claiming you "don't see color" does nothing to eliminate discriminatory barriers affecting racial minorities, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, religious minorities, and other marginalized groups when it comes to employment, education, housing, healthcare, and countless other areas of life.
As Ibram X Kendi convincingly demonstrates in his book How to Be an Antiracist, ending racism requires active work. The same principle applies to all forms of discrimination. When it comes to systemic inequity, there are only two positions: perpetuating the status quo or actively working against it. Doing nothing allows discriminatory systems to continue unchallenged.
The Call to Action
Ending racism and discrimination requires becoming an advocate for change. Yes, "activist" may carry baggage, but at its core, being an advocate means actively working to create the equitable world you want to see.
If we want to end racism and discrimination, we must take concrete steps. This might mean:
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Examining and addressing bias in our own institutions
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Supporting policies that promote equity
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Amplifying marginalized voices
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Challenging discriminatory practices when we encounter them
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Educating ourselves about systems of oppression
This work follows the same four-step process:
identify the goal, understand why it matters, commit to sustained effort, and take action despite the challenges.
The concept is simple.
The execution is not easy.
But the work is necessary.
Creating a world free from racism and discrimination requires all of us to move beyond passive non-participation toward active engagement in building equity and justice.
James Baldwin
American writer and civil rights activist
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
Raj Brar
Director, Anti-Racism Program
Progressive Intercultural Community Services
British Columbia
"Anti-racism is not a noun;
it is a verb. It is not just something we believe in;
it is something we do.
It is the work of actively challenging racism, listening to those who have been affected by it, and working towards a more equitable future for all."
Be a part of the change. Get involved.
Here are a variety of ways you can do just that:
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Benjamin Foucault
Transmasculine, disabled, and mad law student
"You do not have to have it all figured out. But you do have to choose.
Choose silence or solidarity. Choose cruelty or care. Choose the world we’ve been handed, or the one we can build together. No one survives alone, but we can all thrive together."
KNOW YOURSELF
One of the first steps to eliminating racism and discrimination is learning to recognize and understand your own privilege. Racial privilege plays out across social, political, economic, and cultural environments.
Checking your privilege and using your privilege to dismantle systemic racism are two ways to begin this complex process.
However, race is only one aspect of privilege. Religion, gender, sexuality, ability-status, socio-economic status, language, and citizenship status can all affect your level of privilege. Using the privileges that you have to collectively empower others requires first being aware of those privileges and acknowledging their implications. Learn more about the many types of privilege.
How can you be a good ally?
First things first: be a good listener. Listen and not feel like anyone’s trying to blame you. Just being comfortable with being uncomfortable is really a first step for any learning experience.
EDUCATE YOURSELF
In order to move forward, it is essential to confront our past and current history of racism and oppression. Having knowledge and understanding of your country’s history with racism will provide you with the necessary foundation to the fight against injustice.
As you learn more, ask yourself the following questions: How have the laws changed? Is the targeted group still experiencing the effects of this event today? Were you familiar with this historical event? If not, what is the significance of you not knowing about this event?
Seeking out some useful resources is the best place to start:
Books, articles, films, webinars, trainings, events, workshops, resources, reports, toolkits, insights, and more.
This website will give you a good start, but Google works well too.
INFORM YOURSELF
Systemic racism and discrimination means that there are barriers – including wealth disparities, criminal justice bias, and education and housing discrimination – that stack the deck against people of color in the workplace or at school.
Systemic racism, also known as institutional racism, refers to the ways that whiteness and white superiority become embedded in the policies and processes of an institution, resulting in a system that advantages white people and disadvantages BIPOC/IBPOC, notably in employment, education, justice, and social participation.
It is critical that governments, companies and schools address these issues and promote a culture of equity.
DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR CHILDREN
Parents are a child's first and foremost teacher about how to conduct oneself in the world. They are the primary imparter of values and, as such, have enormous influence. Parents must take it upon themselves to educate their children about anti-racism. It's a responsibility they have as parents.
Lead the way. Have the important conversations. Give your child the tools to be their best selves.
FOLLOW PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Many impactful people and organizations use social media as a platform to voice their support for anti-racism. Follow them. Here are just a few:
REPORT RACIST CONTENT
Many social media platforms want their platforms to be safe and empowering for people of all backgrounds. If you see content that you think violates their guidelines, report it to the platform.
If you see content in a newspaper or other traditional media that reflects prejudice, leave a comment or send a letter to the editor to let others know that intolerant remarks are unkind and uncalled for.
Margaret Mead
American cultural anthropologist,
author and speaker
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
VOLUNTEER
The volunteer sector provides an opportunity for citizens to contribute to community socially and economically. Volunteering can be a life-changing experience on many levels. It can improve, or even create, job opportunities. It can allow you to gain valuable work experience, knowledge, skills and contacts. But even more than that, it can change how and what you think about your direction and role in life.
RAISE AWARENESS
If you have younger siblings or family members, set a good example for them. Try to look for games or books that can help them learn that we all have a right to dignity and safety - there are lots online.
PEACEFUL PROTESTS
Engage in protests about issues that you know in your heart are not right. Pressure your representatives to do the right thing.
Support the marginalized. Help make change for a better world.
TAKE ACTION IN
YOUR OWN LIFE
Challenge yourself and your communities by bringing conversations into your spaces. Regardless of our intersectional identities, talking about racism and discrimination is no easy task, but your ability to have more meaningful and productive conversations will grow as you practice more.
Racism and discrimination happen around us all the time. Often it is in the form of jokes, stereotypes or insensitive comments and questions from our friends, family members or colleagues. If you witness a friend or family member saying racist or discriminatory things, you should talk to them, if you feel safe to do so. Approach them privately first – in person or via direct message.
They are more likely to be receptive if they don’t feel publicly embarrassed. Point out to them that what they are saying is racist or discriminatory and remind them that everyone has the right to dignity and that in many countries it is against the law to discriminate against a person because of the color of their skin, their ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. Encourage them to learn more about the historical context of racial prejudice and discrimination, and share resources that you have found helpful.
If you see someone being bullied or harassed, intervene if it is safe to do so.
Name and call out racism, misogyny, transphobia, homophobia, queerphobia, fatphobia, and white supremacy in all its forms. It may be uncomfortable to confront your parents, your boss, your teacher, or your peers, but that’s no excuse not to do it. Fighting oppression is uncomfortable work by its nature, and working to make change in the systems you’re already a part of is as important as plugging into conversations about systems you don’t interact with regularly.
Let people know that racist comments are not okay.
If you are not comfortable or do not feel safe being confrontational, try to break down their thought process and ask questions. For example, “That joke doesn’t make sense to me, could you explain it?” Or “You may be kidding, but this is what it means when you say that type of thing.” Do not be afraid to engage in conversations with loved ones, coworkers, and friends.
Microaggressions, which can appear in the form of racist jokes or statements, perpetuate and normalize biases and prejudices. Remember that not saying anything – or laughing along – implies that you agree.
Refer to this article on the four steps to navigating difficult conversations about racism for more guidance on this topic.
TAKE ACTION IN SCHOOL
Schools and universities should be safe places for children and young people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities and religions. Find out whether your school or university has a policy on non-discrimination and racism, safe ways to report incidents, support services, and programmes or initiatives to promote tolerance, diversity and inclusion. If not, work with other students and school/university management to start a discussion and identify ways in which your place of learning can become a safer and more empowering environment for all students.
GET INVOLVED IN CHARITY EVENTS
Explore events that increase awareness and understanding of racial equity, justice and the systemic barriers and experiences faced by marginalized and racialized communities. Learn about allyship and solidarity, and ways that you can support anti-racism efforts toward a more inclusive society.
BE SAVVY ABOUT WHERE YOU SHOP
Take a stand with your wallet. Know the practices of companies that you invest in and the charities that you donate to.
Make an effort to shop at small, local businesses and give your money back to the people living in the community. Your province, state or community may have a directory of local, minority-owned businesses in your area.
A number of retailers donate to various causes. If you are planning to do some shopping, make a conscious effort to choose one of the brands that have shown support to causes or protestors and are using their influence for good.
SUPPORT AND LEARN FROM OTHERS
Another way to address bias and recognize privilege is to support the experiences of other people and engage in tough conversations about race and injustice. We cannot be afraid to discuss oppression and discrimination for fear of “getting it wrong.”
Take action by learning about the ways that racism continues to affect our society. As advocates, we learn about domestic violence by listening to survivors of domestic violence. Similarly, the best way to understand racial injustice is by listening to people from the BIPOC community.
CONNECT TO OTHERS
There’s power in networks.
If we are to succeed, the social justice community must be constantly building links across issues and coalitions, across backgrounds, and across geography; we must be learning from each other’s best work and filling in each other's gaps to address every key audience and tackle every barrier to opportunity.
SIGN PETITIONS
Encourage change by signing an existing petition or start one of your own.
Check out or search one of the world's largest platforms for change: Change.org
GIVE A DONATION
There are plenty of organizations that you can support financially in order to join the battle against racism and discrimination. Check out the list of organizations in the RESOURCES section.
MAKE A STATEMENT
Initiating change can start with simply wearing a button or a T-shirt.
One of many companies working at this is One Humanity Inc., a socially responsible venture that has been conceived with a very specific mission in mind: to bring people closer together with one ultimate message: We are one. There is no other.
Our objective is simply to develop a stylish, accessible and versatile product line that helps to disseminate and remind people of this very important message.
There is no doubt that in many ways humanity as we know it today has evolved and progressed significantly over time.
However, in many respects, we still have our work cut out for us, particularly when it comes to dealing with each other and working together to tackle our common challenges and better our collective future.
What often gets overlooked, we feel, is our basic primordial bond, which is that we are all human and that, in this respect, we share a fundamental commonality that binds us all together as one and gives us the foundational premise upon which to strive to remain united, work together, share, seek to better our common co-existence, and compassionately and fairly approach our challenges.
BUILD YOUR OWN MESSAGE
Introducing people to a new way of thinking about an issue requires a carefully considered message. The Opportunity Agenda helps you create that message with Vision, Values, and Voice: a Communications Toolkit, which provides guidance for building your own messages using their recommended Value, Problem, Solution, Action (VPSA) structure.
Their interactive VPSA message building tool below will guide you through the process. Ready? Get started by clicking the button below!
“Some are posting on social media. Some are protesting in the streets. Some are donating silently. Some are educating themselves. Some are having tough conversations with friends & family. A revolution has many lanes – be kind to yourself and to others who are traveling in the same direction; just keep your foot on the gas.”
- Octavia Spencer
SUSTAINABLE ANTI-RACISM ADVOCACY
Insights from Anti-Racist Activist Sharon Hurley Hall
After five years of watching people engage with anti-racism work, Sharon Hurley Hall has identified a crucial pattern: the most effective advocates aren't necessarily the most passionate or well-resourced. They're the ones who understand that this work is a lifelong practice, not a short-term project.
Observations on Different Mindsets
The shift from beginner to experienced advocate involves fundamental changes in how people approach this work.
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Beginners often think: "I need to fix this quickly"
Experienced advocates think: "I need to build sustainable ways to contribute" -
Beginners often think: "I should know everything before I act"
Experienced advocates think: "I'll learn as I go and adjust my approach" -
Beginners often think: "I need to change everyone's mind"
Experienced advocates think: "I need to focus my energy where I can have real impact" -
Beginners often think: "This should get easier"
Experienced advocates think: "This will always require attention, so I'll build it into how I live"
What Sustainable Advocacy Looks Like
Rather than overwhelming yourself with endless tasks, sustainable advocates focus on building key practices and boundaries.
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Focused practices rather than overwhelming goal lists
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Strategic engagement - knowing which conversations to enter and which to step back from
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Support networks - people you can turn to for guidance and encouragement
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Integrated rest - recognizing that taking time to recharge, process, and reflect isn't stepping away from the work; it's essential for sustaining long-term engagement and preventing burnout
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Long-term metrics - measuring success through relationships deepened, systems shifted, and communities strengthened
According to Hall, the advocates still engaged years later have learned to pace themselves. They've found their sustainable rhythm and built this work into their daily lives rather than treating it as an additional burden.
Your Starting Point
Hall encourages reflection on how a long-term perspective might reshape your current approach. She suggests asking yourself: If you knew you'd be doing this work for the next ten years,
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how would that change your approach?
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what would you prioritize?
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what support would you seek?
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how would you pace yourself?
As Hall reminds us, the most effective advocates aren't the loudest voices in the room - they're the most consistent ones. The world needs your sustained commitment more than your perfect performance - so start where you are, build your practice, and join the movement for lasting change.
Sharon Hurley Hall is a Barbadian-British writer, educator, and anti-racism advocate who has dedicated years to supporting individuals and organizations in their journey toward racial justice. Through her writing, workshops, and mentorship, she has guided countless people in developing sustainable approaches to anti-racism work.