Understanding the Call to Antiracism
In recent years, the global conversation around racial justice has reached a fever pitch. From the streets of Minneapolis to the social media feeds of Mumbai, people are questioning long-standing systems of prejudice. You may have heard the term antiracism and wondered how it differs from simply not being a racist. While the term was popularized globally by scholars like Ibram X. Kendi, its application is deeply relevant to the Indian context, where prejudice often manifests through colorism, regional bias, and systemic exclusion. To understand how to be an antiracist, one must first accept that neutrality is no longer an option. In a society where inequality exists, being non-racist is a passive stance that does little to change the status quo. Antiracism, on the other hand, is an active, conscious effort to identify and eliminate racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies, and practices.
The Difference Between Not Racist and Antiracist
To begin this journey, we must clarify the definitions. Many of us grew up believing that if we do not use slurs or treat people with outward cruelty, we are not racist. This is what we call being non-racist. It is a claim of innocence. However, antiracism is not about who you are as a person; it is about what you do. Being antiracist means recognizing that racial or ethnic neutrality does not exist. Every policy or action is either helping to sustain an inequitable system or working to dismantle it. For an Indian reader, this might mean looking at how we treat colleagues from the Northeast or how we react to people with darker skin tones. If we stay silent when a relative makes a derogatory joke, we are being non-racist but not antiracist. Antiracism requires the courage to speak up and the willingness to examine our own complicity in these systems.
The Indian Context: Beyond Global Headlines
While the movement often focuses on Western dynamics, India has its own unique and deeply rooted forms of prejudice that mirror racial structures. To be an antiracist in India, you must address several specific areas. The first is colorism. Our obsession with fair skin is a direct descendant of colonial and class-based prejudices. From matrimonial ads that specify skin tone to the multi-billion dollar skin-lightening industry, colorism is a daily reality. An antiracist approach involves rejecting these beauty standards and calling out the industry that profits from insecurity. Secondly, we must look at the treatment of citizens from Northeast India. Often treated as foreigners in their own country, people from the Seven Sisters face systemic microaggressions and physical violence. Being an antiracist in India means standing in solidarity with these communities, advocating for their safety, and educating others about the diverse ethnic fabric of our nation.
Intersectionality: Race, Caste, and Religion
You cannot talk about antiracism in India without discussing intersectionality. Prejudice in India is often a cocktail of race-like ethnic discrimination, casteism, and religious bias. An antiracist mindset helps us understand that a person’s experience of the world is shaped by multiple overlapping identities. For example, a dark-skinned woman from a marginalized caste faces a different set of challenges than a fair-skinned man from the same background. To truly practice antiracism, one must be committed to fighting all forms of systemic oppression, as they are often built on the same foundation of tribalism and hierarchy.
Step 1: Unlearn and Re-educate Yourself
The first step in becoming an antiracist is education. We cannot fix what we do not understand. Most of our education systems gloss over the histories of marginalized groups. Start by reading books and watching documentaries that provide a perspective different from your own. In the Indian context, look for literature written by Dalit authors, Northeast Indian scholars, and activists who have spent their lives documenting systemic bias. Understanding the history of British colonialism and its role in hardening social hierarchies in India is also crucial. This self-education should be a continuous process. Do not expect members of marginalized communities to do the emotional labor of teaching you; take it upon yourself to seek out the information that is already available.
Step 2: Recognize and Acknowledge Your Privilege
Privilege is often invisible to those who have it. If you have never been followed in a store, asked where you are really from while standing in your own capital city, or felt the need to lighten your skin for a job interview, you are operating from a position of privilege. Acknowledging this doesn't mean you haven't worked hard for your success; it simply means that your identity has not been an additional hurdle in your path. An antiracist uses their privilege to open doors for others. This could mean recommending a colleague from an underrepresented background for a promotion or using your social standing to advocate for inclusive policies in your housing society or workplace.
Step 3: Challenging Casual Racism in Daily Life
One of the hardest parts of being an antiracist is dealing with the people closest to us. In India, casual racism and colorism are often baked into family conversations and WhatsApp groups. You might hear a relative make a comment about a dark-skinned child or a neighbor use a slur against a migrant worker. The non-racist response is to feel uncomfortable but stay silent to maintain peace. The antiracist response is to intervene. You don't have to be aggressive, but you do have to be firm. Ask questions like, Why do you think that joke is funny? or I find that comment offensive because it generalizes a whole group of people. These small interventions are the building blocks of a more equitable society.
Step 4: Diversify Your Environment and Influence
Take a look at your social circle, the people you follow on social media, and the creators you support. Is your world a bubble of people who look and think exactly like you? To be an antiracist, you must actively seek out diverse perspectives. Support businesses owned by marginalized individuals. If you are in a position of power at work, look at your hiring practices. Are you unconsciously favoring candidates who share your regional or linguistic background? Creating a diverse environment isn't just about meeting a quota; it is about enriching your own life and the lives of those around you with a variety of human experiences.
Step 5: Support Structural and Policy Changes
Individual actions are important, but racism is a systemic issue that requires systemic solutions. Being an antiracist means supporting policies that promote equity. This could involve advocating for better labor laws for migrant workers, supporting organizations that provide legal aid to marginalized groups, or voting for representatives who prioritize social justice. In your workplace, you can push for sensitivity training and clear anti-discrimination policies. Change happens when the cost of being biased becomes higher than the cost of being inclusive.
The Path Forward: A Lifelong Commitment
Becoming an antiracist is not a goal you achieve and then forget about. It is a lifelong commitment to self-reflection and action. There will be times when you make mistakes, say the wrong thing, or realize you held a bias you weren't aware of. When this happens, do not get defensive. Instead, listen, apologize, and learn. The goal is progress, not perfection. By choosing to be an antiracist, you are contributing to a future where every Indian, regardless of their skin color, ethnicity, or background, can live with dignity and equal opportunity. It starts with a single choice to move from being a bystander to being an active participant in the pursuit of justice.
What is the main difference between being not racist and being antiracist?
Being not racist is a passive state where an individual claims they do not harbor personal prejudice. Being antiracist is an active state where an individual works to identify, challenge, and dismantle the systems and policies that perpetuate racial or ethnic inequality.
How does colorism relate to antiracism in India?
Colorism is a form of prejudice based on skin tone that mirrors racial discrimination. To be an antiracist in the Indian context, one must actively challenge the preference for fair skin and work to eliminate the social and economic disadvantages faced by individuals with darker skin tones.
How can I talk to my family about their biased comments?
The best approach is to be calm but firm. Instead of attacking the person, question the logic behind the comment. Explain how such remarks reinforce harmful stereotypes and why it is important to treat everyone with equal respect regardless of their background.
Is antiracism only about skin color?
No, antiracism is about addressing all forms of systemic ethnic and racial prejudice. In India, this includes discrimination based on regional identity, such as the bias faced by people from the Northeast, as well as the intersections of caste and religion.
