What you can do
Racism tells us that there is nothing we can do. It tries to make us feel powerless. There are always things you can do. Taking action is important. We usually feel better if we do something about the things we care about. Here are a few ideas to get your thinking started.
You can:
- Build a friendship with someone of a race different from yours
- Write a letter (to a newspaper, to an elected leader, etc.) about something you think could be done to advance racial justice
- Make a donation to an organization that works for racial justice
- Stand up and speak out when something seems unfair
- Ask questions in class when the histories, contributions and viewpoints of people of color are not included.
- Add to this website by writing us about what you have learned, noticed, done, etc. See "Mailbox"
- Go to a celebration, an event, a holiday observance, or other cultural experience in a culture different from yours.
- What else could you do?
Volunteers in New Orleans 9th Ward after Hurricane Katrina
Go to
www.colorofchange.org/campaigns.html
www.colorofchange.org/campaigns.html
These folks are organizing several letter writing campaigns to support survivors of Hurricane Katrina to get adequate housing, etc. Consider joining in and sending a brief lettter or e-mail. For background on Katrina and racism, read "An Unnatural Disaster."
Highlighted Action Step