Anti-Racism Advocacy 101
“What can I do to advocate for racial justice?”
This question, now being asked by many with privileged identities, prompted Bentley’s Division of Student Affairs to offer a livestreamed workshop for students, faculty and staff. More than 260 community members registered for “Introduction to Anti-Racist Advocacy,” which provided information and resources to help participants acknowledge, address and eradicate racism both on campus and off.
“Anti-racism work is challenging and complex — and an ongoing process,” says Ben Longstreth, strategic projects coordinator for Student Affairs, who co-hosted the program with Alexa Erb, program coordinator for student involvement, Student Programs and Engagement, and Jess Sumney, student success coordinator, Student Equity and Inclusion. “This webinar introduces the many resources out there as people begin their own journey. We include multiple ways that people can advocate for racial justice, including in our own Bentley community, to encourage progress.”
The webinar opened with an overview of the foundational concepts of systemic racism — including in the areas of criminal justice, education and health care — that cause systems to benefit one group while harming others.
“Ending systemic racism is not about cancelling people or removing overtly racist individuals. It’s about educating ourselves as a community and training ourselves to recognize and identify injustice when we see it — even when that injustice is within our own unintentional actions, choices and thought processes,” Erb says. “Only then can we advocate for reimagined policies and procedures that eventually transform the whole system.”
The presenters shared tips for participants about what to expect as they begin their education. Before trying to take action as a Before trying to take action as a social justice advocate, they said, it’s important to “check your privilege” by asking yourself:
How have I maintained comfort to the point where I am just now asking myself this question?
What are some of the earliest messages I received about race?
In what ways have I benefited (or not benefited) from systemic racism?
In what ways do I currently benefit (or not benefit) from systemic racism?
What makes me most uncomfortable when talking about race?
The webinar then moved into the building blocks of anti-racist advocacy: learning, speaking up, acting and sustaining.
Event facilitators (from left) Jess Sumney, Alexa Erb and Ben Longstreth
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Trade in a fixed mindset (comfortable) for a growth mindset (open to learning and change, requires courage)
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Listen to and elevate the voices of people of color (but don’t expect them to educate you)
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Access books, films, articles, podcasts, online toolkits and other anti-racist educational resources
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Acknowledge multiple truths: Racial justice work is intricate and complicated
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Challenge your fear of making mistakes: Racial justice work requires humility
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Acknowledge intent versus impact: When someone calls you out for saying or doing something with a negative impact, own it, apologize, do your part to repair the harm, and learn and be better for the future.
“There are multiple ways to do anti-racism advocating work, and your role may change throughout your life,” Longstreth says.
He cited the Social Justice Ecosystem, developed by writer and activist Deepa Iyer, which categorizes 10 different roles individuals might occupy when advocating for equity and inclusion. These are experimenters, frontline responders, visionaries, builders, caregivers, disrupters, healers, storytellers, guides and weavers.
To find your role, Longstreth says, start by tapping your personal strengths. A healer, for example, often recognizes and tends to the generational and current traumas caused by oppressive systems, institutions, policies and practices. A builder is focused on developing, organizing and implementing ideas, practices, people and resources in service of a collective vision.
He also offered action tips specific to Bentley and other college campuses:
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Continue educating yourself and others on campus
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Elevate Black voices through student government, leadership positions, university committees and search processes
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Incorporate racial justice and anti-racist education into curricular and co-curricular experiences
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Support and join anti-racist efforts already happening on campus
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Prioritize experiences of Black community members by naming and calling out racism and white supremacy when it occurs, even if it is uncomfortable. (Ask yourself: Who are you trying to protect?)
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Identify systemic racism and use your energy, time and/or position to advocate for change and hold our community accountable
In order to sustain momentum, racial justice advocates need to take time to rest. Advice included specific recommendations from the article “Self-Care Tips for Black People Who Are Struggling With This Very Painful Week” by Rachel Miller.
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Engage with Black artists and creators — find ways to celebrate Black joy
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Join an organization — this work cannot be done alone
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Do what you can to drink enough water, get more sleep and eat well
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Take breaks from social media
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Spend some time reflecting or journaling
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Set boundaries with people
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Let yourself feel your feelings
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Sit with your discomfort
The facilitators acknowledged that sustaining a commitment to anti-racism will look different for white allies than for people of color. Sumney cautions against the temptation to disconnect entirely from the subject and retreat back into privilege when feeling overwhelmed.
Instead, she encourages white allies to be intentional about how they stay connected to the work. She points to upcoming events sponsored by Student Affairs — including Intergroup Dialogue Workshops for classrooms and student organizations and a day-long Inclusive Leadership Retreat for students — as opportunities to sustain momentum.
Longstreth adds, “Combatting a racist system that we are all a part of requires all of us to regularly evaluate how we can use our skills, strengths and spheres of influence to advocate for anti-racism.”