How to Shut Down Racist Rhetoric
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
Image credit: Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya, multidisciplinary artist
Beverly Daniel Tatum wrote in her book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, as quoted on Slate.com, ‘Prejudice is one of the inescapable consequences of living in a racist society. Cultural racism… is like smog in the air. Sometimes it is so thick it is visible, other times it is less apparent, but always, day in and day out, we are breathing it in.’
In today’s climate, it’s hard to navigate some conversations. Things are divisive. Our family and friends’ values are more front and center in daily life than usual. Everyone feels strongly and often feels differently. So how do we still speak up and shut down racist rhetoric?
Learning for Justice, a diversity platform for teachers, recommends a four-step process for speaking up against bias. From all our reading on this topic, we found this guideline the most concise, clear, and helpful. Here’s the gist:
1) Interrupt
Image Credit: Kai Pilger @kaip
This first step is more of a pause. It doesn’t mean to literally interrupt the person or talk over them. This step is in essence putting up your hand for a timeout. According to Learning for Justice, ‘It shows the person you’re talking, texting, or chatting with that what they’ve said is important enough to pause your conversation to address.’ Some easy phrases you can use:
‘Hold up, I want to go back to what you just said.’
‘Just a sec — let’s get into your point that the virus is somebody’s fault.’
‘Before we talk about that, I want to talk about what you said before.’
2) Question
Image credit: Priscilla Du Preez @priscilladupreez
To follow up the above, ask a question. Avoid a confrontational tone. Instead, try a curious tone, as though you’re playing a student role for a minute. Which you are. Have the mindset that you care about this person and you genuinely want to hear their perspective. Because we should all aim to see multiple perspectives. Knowledge is power, baby. So instead of saying, ‘Tell me why that’s funny’ or ‘What do you know?’ here are some constructive ideas:
‘Why did you call it the ‘Chinese Coronavirus’?’
‘Why do you think that?’
‘I need context. Can you break down that joke for me?’
‘How did you learn that? I should read whatever you did, too.’
3) Educate
Image Credit: Mimi Thian @mimithian
In this context, educate does not mean to talk at the other person. Do not list off facts and then bow out. Instead, educate by continuing the conversation. Keep it going. Stay open. The goal: to convey why what they’ve said needs rethinking. Some ideas:
‘I read recently that it’s really uncommon anymore to name a disease after its origin place, because of the bullying it causes to those from there.’
‘I have a friend who is (X Ethnicity) who’s been the butt of jokes forever, and it’s been really harmful to them.’
‘People have been stereotyping (X group of people or culture) forever and it’s prevented them from getting jobs, living well, etc.’
‘The current racism happening is much higher than a few years ago. It could be dangerous to all of us if it keeps escalating.’
4) Echo
Image Credit: AMIT RANJAN @am_ranjan
This final step is about the power of repetition. If someone else speaks up, echo what they said. Thank them for saying it and then amplify their message any way you can. Retweet it, repost the Instagram with credit, say it aloud in a live chat, etc. Your silence can easily be viewed as agreement with the racism. Shut down that idea by speaking up.
‘If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.’ — Desmond Tutu
Stand up and stand strong, Nellies. We have your backs.
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