Do you also want a fairer world and would you like to help shape and reshape society? We have simple tips on how each of us can change racist structures in everyday life, day after day.
Taking a stand is now more important than ever. This includes an important topic: the fight against racism in everyday life – because unfortunately it is still present! According to a large-scale survey from 2022, black people in particular experience racist discrimination in Germany. According to the report of National Discrimination and Racism Monitor by Prof. Dr. Naika Foroutan, more than every second black person (54 percent) in this country has already experienced discrimination in public. A frightening number.
Voices about this are becoming louder, people are demonstrating in the streets, the feeling of togetherness is becoming stronger, but we should all constantly remind ourselves to implement anti-racist behavior in our own lives. The anti-racism trainer and best-selling author Tupoka Ogette writes in her book how this can be achieved “And now you. Live critically against racism”. Whether in the family, among friends, at work or at school – we can all take action against racism in our everyday lives and develop ourselves further.
Racism in everyday life: With these tips you can live a critical life against racism
1. Write a diary
Get a small notebook in which you write down every day (morning and evening) what you did well, what you are grateful for and what you would like to do better or differently the next day. It could be a small racism-critical journal that you create, in which you write down new insights, questions you asked yourself, what you would like to do and what feelings you had.
2. You never stop learning
It is not a given that you will be educated about racism by the BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) in your environment. Whether in podcasts, generally on social media or in articles – use resources that BIPoC have already published to learn.
3. Speaking of books…
There are very different reading materials on the subject of racism. Many great books are written from different BIPoC perspectives and make it possible to look at the diverse topic from different perspectives. Deal with the large selection and read up on knowledge.
4. So, how colorful is your bookshelf?
In general, it is worth reading a lot of books by BIPoC. And while you’re at it, pay attention to intersectionality too. Read books by Black women, by Black darker-skinned people, by Black people in the LGBTQI* community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people). Whether origin, gender, religion, worldview or disability – we can all learn from each other. From now on, try to commit to reading 50 percent of BIPoC books and articles. Or take this opportunity to take a look in your bookcase. How many books are there written by BIPoC?
You can find even more tips in the new book “And now you. Living critically against racism” by Tupoka Ogette, Penguin Verlag.
© Penguin Publishing / PR
5. Friendship is the salt of life
Who are your ten closest people? How many of them are BIPoC? Be honest with yourself. It’s okay if your closest group is very homogeneous in terms of social positions. That’s how it is for most people. But be aware that there are perspectives that you simply do not know.
6. Change of perspective
Consciously subscribe to BIPoC channels on social media. This will give you a new awareness and a different perspective on certain topics.
7. Support can also look like this…
Try to buy from a Black-owned business more often. It is also about economic solidarity.
8. People who don’t have role models will never be role models
Ask yourself if you have BIPoC role models. Even outside of the entertainment sector? This could be, for example, a work colleague or someone from politics. Go within yourself and think about it.
9. Well-intentioned advice!
Do not give BIPoC unsolicited advice. Especially not in a paternalistic way like “We do it like this here and like that.”
10. Please do not generalize
Before you say things like, “You’re all so beautiful…” or “You’re all so good…”, think about what you’re saying. Compliments are nice when they are given to the person you are talking to as an individual. But not if it has to be used for your projections towards a group. Better: “I think you look really good today”, “I admire the way you do xy.”
11. The relationship between “foreign” and “own”
Whether social processes, behaviors or ways of representation – generally avoid exoticization, demonization and stereotyping.
12. Accept racism feedback
When you receive feedback about how you could have behaved differently, see it as an opportunity to grow. So take a deep breath, apologize and do better next time.
Sources used: rassismusmonitor.de, book “And now you. Living critically against racism” by Tupoka Ogette