Racial Equity Action Steps / Required (Choose 1)

Learning about racism and White Supremacy is a start to understanding ourselves, our society, and the role we play. It is likewise just as important to use your new knowledge to help support causes you feel passionately about.

Watch this video to learn more about how to begin taking racial equity action steps:

Taking action is a major factor in making change. If people did not speak out about the injustices they were facing, or if others did not support those who felt they were powerless to speak out, then our society would not have seen the landmark changes we have experienced in the history of our United States.

Consider the history of American protests and the engagement of normal, working-class people in politics.

• Consider how the Civil Rights Movement began with the Black Panthers.
• Consider the history of the Feminist Movements, or the Immigrants’ Rights Movement, or the Migrant Farm Workers of America.
• Consider notable civil rights figures like W.E.B. Du Bois, Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King Jr., Kimberle Crenshaw, Yuri Kochiyama, May Chen, etc.

Every movement has to start somewhere.

Directions: Read 1 article to learn more.

National Museum of African American History and Culture. “Being Antiracist.” Talking About Race, 2023.

“‘Not Racist’ Is Not Enough: Putting In The Work To Be Anti-Racist.” NPR Life Kit, 25 Aug 2020.

“Why All Parents Should Talk With Their Kids About Social Identity.” NPR Life Kit, 8 Oct. 2019.

Directions: In your small groups, discuss which article you chose to read.

• Why did you choose this article?
• What was the main idea of your article?
• What interesting fact or perspective did you read?
• Do you think people are capable of doing what the article suggests?
• What do you consider your role to be in overwriting racism and White Supremacy?

Individual Reflection: Write 1-2 paragraphs about what you think you could do to get involved.

• What would you change about our society?
• How would you go about doing it?
• What organizations do you think would support your cause?
• How would fighting for this cause help other people facing the same challenge?