Systemic Racism Edited Volume Conclusion: What Can We Do Moving Forward?
The final chapter of this volume is called “Forming a Racially Inclusive Sociological Imagination: Becoming a Racial Equity learner, Racial Equity Advocate, and Racial Equity Broker.” In it, Professor Rashawn Ray discusses the impact racism still has in our society and begins to propose actions and solutions we can take to move forward. He points out the vitality of Critical Race Theory and suggests three main ways individuals can work toward racial equity.
He begins the chapter by pointing out the many acts of domestic terrorism and hate crimes committed by young white men with ties to white supremacy. Hate crimes have increased over the last 20 years, alongside officer-involved shootings. Next, he points out the disproportionate impact of police violence on black communities and how stand-your-ground laws work as legal defenses for white people yet are rarely successful defenses for African-Americans.
He notes that the work of the other scholars who contributed to this volume, documenting and analyzing systemic racism, is essential. In his chapter, he takes a different approach and searches for actionable solutions. This requires acknowledging and understanding that racism functions on micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Professor Ray provides three suggestions. The first is for people to become racial equity learners. This can be accomplished by educating themselves on the continued existence and impact of systemic racism and racial inequality. The second is to be racial equity advocates in our daily lives. We must hold those around us accountable for what they think, say, and do. The third and final suggestion is for people to work as racial equity brokers. This involves advocating for practices and policies that allow for accountability, evaluation, and transparency. Racial equity brokers can push for anti-racist codes and principles in areas across their lives, from work to school, to homeowner’s associations. Justice cannot be just an ideal; it must be something we put into practice.
A significant part of succeeding in these three things is becoming self-aware, socially aware, and globally aware. Tools like information literacy to identify reliable sources are essential. We must also work to reduce implicit bias in ourselves. We can have candid racial conversations without racist intent and engage in racial uplift activism. Acts of community service, political advocacy, protest, education, and philanthropy all have a place and function. Ultimately we need to shift from a color-blind society to color bravery.
About the Author
Stella Hudson is a Graduate Assistant with the Baha’i Chair for World Peace. She graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2021 with a B.A. in English. She is attending the University of Maryland and pursuing a Master’s of Library and Information Science.