Nice Racism

Key Takeaways

1. Recognize that white progressives can perpetuate racism through "nice" behaviors

Niceness is not anti-racism. Niceness does not absolve white people from racism. Nor does niceness prove that someone is not racist (much less anti-racist).

Subtle racism in progressives: White progressives often perpetuate racism in less obvious ways than overt racists. These include:

• Microaggressions: Subtle slights or insults directed at people of color
• Tokenism: Including people of color for appearance without genuine inclusion
• White saviorism: Attempting to "help" people of color from a position of superiority
• Denial of racism: Claiming colorblindness or that racism is no longer a significant issue

Impact over intent: While white progressives may have good intentions, their actions can still have harmful racial impacts. Examples include:

• Silencing people of color in discussions about race
• Centering white comfort over addressing racial issues
• Expecting praise for basic acts of non-racism
• Becoming defensive when given feedback about racist behaviors

2. Understand how individualism and universalism protect white supremacy

Individualism allows us to distance ourselves from the actions of other white people. Since we aren't responsible for the actions of other white people, we aren't responsible for challenging their racism.

Individualism denies systemic racism: By seeing ourselves as unique individuals, white people often:

• Claim exemption from racial socialization and bias
• Deny the existence of white privilege
• Refuse to acknowledge collective white advantage

Universalism erases racial differences: The belief that "we're all just human" ignores:

• Different lived experiences based on race
• Systemic inequalities that advantage white people
• The need for race-conscious solutions to address racism

Both ideologies protect white supremacy by:

• Allowing white people to avoid responsibility for racism
• Making it difficult to address racial inequities at a systemic level
• Perpetuating colorblind racism that ignores real racial disparities

3. Acknowledge that there is no "choir" of racially enlightened white people

I do not believe that there is a white "choir," raising their voices in anti-racist harmony. The very idea that there could be is problematic.

The myth of the "woke" white person: Many white progressives believe they are beyond racism because:

• They have attended diversity trainings or workshops
• They have friends or family members of color
• They support progressive political causes

Reality of ongoing work: True anti-racism requires:

• Continuous self-reflection and education
• Willingness to receive and act on feedback about racist behaviors
• Active efforts to challenge systemic racism, not just personal attitudes

Even well-intentioned white people often:

• Become defensive when confronted with their own racist actions
• Fail to take meaningful action to address systemic racism
• Perpetuate harmful dynamics in cross-racial interactions

4. Confront the limitations of niceness in addressing systemic racism

A culture of niceness is not an indication that the culture is free of racism. Anti-racism takes courage, commitment, and accountability; niceness does not.

Niceness as avoidance: A focus on being "nice" often leads to:

• Avoiding difficult conversations about race
• Prioritizing white comfort over addressing racial harm
• Failing to challenge racist systems and behaviors

The need for courage: Effective anti-racism requires:

• Willingness to engage in uncomfortable conversations
• Challenging racist behaviors, even when it's socially risky
• Taking concrete actions to dismantle racist systems

Beyond politeness: True allyship involves:

• Actively listening to and amplifying voices of color
• Using privilege to challenge racism in white spaces
• Being willing to make mistakes and learn from them

5. Examine how white people with other marginalized identities can still be racist

I cannot talk about being a (cis) woman without talking about being a white woman any more than I can talk about growing up poor without also acknowledging that I was poor and white.

Intersectionality matters: White people with other marginalized identities must recognize:

• How whiteness interacts with and often mitigates other forms of oppression
• The ways they still benefit from and perpetuate white supremacy
• The need to address racism alongside other forms of oppression

Common pitfalls:

• Using other marginalized identities to deflect from racial privilege
• Equating experiences of other oppressions with the experience of racism
• Failing to recognize how whiteness shapes experiences of other oppressions

Moving forward: White people with other marginalized identities can:

• Use their experiences of oppression as an entry point to understanding racism
• Recognize the unique ways racism intersects with other systems of oppression
• Commit to addressing both racism and other forms of oppression simultaneously

6. Recognize and interrupt common "white moves" that maintain racial inequality

There are no neutral moves—inaction is a choice that has consequences and, thus, is a form of action.

Common white moves:

• Credentialing: Attempting to prove one's non-racism through past actions or relationships
• Distancing: Separating oneself from "bad" white people or denying one's whiteness
• Silence: Refusing to engage in discussions about race
• Defensiveness: Responding with anger or hurt when confronted with racism
• Centering: Making discussions about race focus on white feelings and experiences

Impact of these moves:

• Maintain white comfort at the expense of addressing racism
• Silence and invalidate perspectives of people of color
• Prevent meaningful dialogue and action on racial issues

Interrupting the patterns:

• Recognize these moves in yourself and others
• Practice sitting with discomfort rather than reacting defensively
• Actively listen to and validate experiences of people of color
• Take responsibility for educating yourself about racism

7. Develop racial humility and move beyond shame to actionable anti-racism

Shame provides social capital to white people in a few key ways. First, it garners sympathy. In the era of self-care, shame is something we believe we shouldn't feel.

The problem with white shame:

• Often leads to inaction or paralysis
• Centers white feelings rather than impacts on people of color
• Can be used to seek comfort and validation from people of color

Moving beyond shame:

• Recognize that making mistakes is part of the learning process
• Focus on impact rather than intent when addressing racist behaviors
• Use feelings of shame as motivation for concrete anti-racist actions

Developing racial humility:

• Acknowledge the limitations of your racial understanding
• Be open to feedback and willing to change behaviors
• Recognize that anti-racism is an ongoing process, not a destination

8. Build authentic cross-racial relationships and support systems

Authentic relationships are those based on mutual interest. They develop over time, and they are sustained, not abandoned when conflict arises.

Importance of relationships:

• Provide deeper understanding of racial experiences
• Increase motivation and courage in anti-racist work
• Challenge stereotypes and unconscious biases

Building authentic relationships:

• Seek out diverse environments and communities
• Engage in shared interests and activities
• Be willing to be vulnerable and make mistakes
• Commit to working through conflicts

Support systems:

• Develop a circle of anti-racist white people for accountability
• Participate in white affinity groups to work on racist socialization
• Build relationships with people of color based on genuine connection, not tokenism

9. Commit to ongoing education and accountability in anti-racist practice

Accountability within anti-racist work is the understanding that what I profess to value must be demonstrated in action, and that action must be answerable to BIPOC people.

Continuous education:

• Read books, articles, and research by people of color
• Attend workshops, conferences, and community events on racial justice
• Stay updated on evolving language and concepts related to race

Accountability practices:

• Regularly check in with people of color about your anti-racist efforts
• Be open to feedback and willing to change behaviors
• Take concrete actions to support racial justice initiatives

Sustained commitment:

• Recognize that anti-racism is a lifelong journey
• Set specific goals for your anti-racist practice
• Regularly reflect on your progress and areas for growth
• Use your privilege to challenge racism in your spheres of influence

Last updated: January 24, 2025

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