Combating Racism: Moving from Concern to Action (A Personal Inventory for White People)

(This is adapted by Andrea Ayvazian from the work of James Edler and Judy H. Katz, and was given to me by Kate, thank you!)

1. Have I intentionally and aggressively sought to educate myself further on issues of racism (by talking with others, viewing films, finding reading material, attending lectures, joining a study group, etc.)?
2. Have I spent some time reflecting on my own childhood/upbringing and analyzing where/how/when I was receiving racist messages?
3. Have I spent some time recently looking at my own attitudes and behaviors as an adult to determine how I am contributing to or combating racism?
4. Have I evaluated my use of language, light and dark imagery and other terms or phrases that might be degrading or hurtful to others?
5. Have I openly disagreed with a racist comment, joke, reference, or action among those around me?
6. Have I made a clear promise to myself that I will interrupt racist comments, actions, etc. that occur around me–even when this involves some personal risk?
7. Have I grown in my awareness of racism in TV programs, advertising, and news coverage?
8. Have I objected [to racism in the media] to those in charge?
9. Have I admitted publically (in any setting) that I acknowledge my own racism and am actively striving to be an effective white ally?
10. Have I taken steps to organize discussion groups or workshops aimed at unlearning racism with friends, family members, colleagues?
11. Have I probed political candidates–at all levels–to determine their stance and commitment to work against racism?
12. Have I contributed financially to an agency, fund, or program that actively confronts the problems of racism?
13. Have I contributed my time to an agency, fund, or program that actively confronts the problems of racism?
14. Do my personal buying habits support stores and companies that demonstrate some awareness about and sensitivity to the issues of racism?
15. Have I investigated the curricula of local schools in terms of their treatment of the issue of racism (textbooks, films, assemblies, faculty, staff, administration)?
16. Have I made an inventory of the images (decorations, posters, signs, etc.) with which I surround myself at home, work, school?
17. Do I see myself as a resource person for referrals–directing white people to agencies, individuals, and groups who assist others in dismantling racism?
18. Have I sought out and seen any films focusing on racism and/or civil rights?
19. Do I view myself as a role model–a white ally who questions the white power structure and actively models this for others?
20. Have I reviewed the stages of white identity development (scroll down) and reflected upon how my life pattern does or does not fit into those stages?
21. Have I made a contract with myself to keep paying attention to the issue of racism over weeks, months, and years?

Filed under: racism, white privilege by Amy's Brain Today