Racial literacy 101

Racial dialogue avoidance is a widespread phenomenon, there are many people out there who will avoid talking about race for the fear of getting it wrong and being found on the wrong side. A good starting point is to understand key terms, and this will mean that whenever you get the opportunity to have a dialogue about race you are coming from a position of basic appreciation of common terminology. Within any organisation, it is important for us to understand the language and terminology surrounding race and racism. In this introductory article, we explore some basic racial terminology that can help us to better understand and engage with issues of race and racism.

Race is a social construct that has been used historically to categorise individuals based on physical characteristics such as skin colour, hair texture, and facial features. While race has no biological basis, it has been used to create and perpetuate systemic inequalities and discrimination.

Racism is the belief that one race is superior to another, and it can manifest in a variety of ways, from overt discrimination to subtle microaggressions. It is important to recognise that racism can be intentional or unintentional, and it can come from individuals or institutions.

Discrimination is the act of treating individuals differently based on their race or other characteristics such as gender, sexuality, or disability. Discrimination can take many forms, from overt acts such as physical violence to more subtle acts such as exclusion from social groups or opportunities.

Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional behaviours or comments that can be experienced as hurtful or discriminatory by the recipient. This can include things like asking someone where they’re “really from,” or assuming that someone is good at sports because of their race.

Intersectionality is the idea that individuals can experience multiple forms of oppression or discrimination based on their race, gender, sexuality, disability, or other characteristics. It is important to recognize that individuals may experience discrimination in different ways depending on the intersection of these different identities.

Privilege is the advantages and benefits that individuals may receive based on their race or other characteristics such as gender, sexuality, or socio-economic status. It is important to recognise that privilege is not necessarily something that individuals have earned, but rather something that is given to them based on societal structures and systems.

Allyship is the act of actively working to support and uplift individuals from marginalized communities. This can involve using one’s privilege to advocate for policy change, speaking out against discrimination and racism, and actively working to create more inclusive and equitable spaces.

It is important for staff to understand this basic racial terminology to better engage with issues of race and racism. By recognising and addressing the impact of systemic racism and discrimination, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all individuals, regardless of their race or other characteristics.