Organizing and working for change is no small feat. It necessitates extensive analysis, the transformation of organizational norms and culture, as well as accountability to people of color.
But there are organizations fighting for justice against racism. Whether it is racial violence, systemic racism or white supremacy, these anti-racist organizations are here to assist.
Advancement Project
Since 2020, white women who scold neighbors, spit at people, curse or point guns at them have been labeled “Karens.” But why are these Karen moments so dangerous?
For years, the internet dubbed an angry middle-aged white woman with anti-vaxxer, classist and pushy behavior — with her South Philly mom cut and “Can I speak to the manager?” hair — as “Karen.” But in March when Covid-19 spread across America, a new breed of Karens emerged.
As people took to social media to lament how the pandemic was impacting their communities, a new form of racist Karen emerged. This version, which promoted white middle class entitlement over Black or brown working class people, gained prominence.
Karens have grown increasingly vocal due to the rising fear of White middle-class citizens with an exaggerated sense of entitlement, class tensions over necessities like access to healthcare and housing, as well as the introduction of social policing after Covid-19. These dynamics were amplified by increased racial profiling following Covid-19.
These white middle-class Karens became the target of misguided suspicion and misunderstanding that are common among White people who aren’t directly affected by racism. And for those who chose to call the cops on their neighbors, it was often out of personal privilege that caused them to do so.
Some white middle-class Karens also displayed the same type of blatant racism seen in earlier renditions of the BBQ Beckys — who made headlines by calling the police on Black people doing ordinary tasks like grilling or selling Girl Scout cookies. One such racist Karen, named Rapkin in Shorewood, Wisconsin, got into an argument with her neighbors after they called her out for spitting on a Black teenager.
Color Of Change
Color Of Change is a racial justice organization founded after Hurricane Katrina that seeks to build Black power through effective responses to injustice. It seeks qualified individuals who share this commitment and take pride in working within an inspiring culture of progressive ideas. Color Of Change offers flexible job opportunities including remote positions in government & politics, nonprofit & philanthropy, human services and project management – all with flexible hours available for those interested!
Recent incidents of racist Karens have come to the fore in the public eye. For instance, video footage of Amy Cooper calling the police on a Black man who requested she curb her dog went viral in May; although Cooper later apologized, this incident served as reminder that unchecked racism can impact everyday situations.
Karen the Bagel Baker was another famous Karen. Stephanie Denaro called a Black baker a “b-a-n-n” and shouted at her while inside of Trader Joe’s store. Witnesses recorded this racist encounter and posted it online for all to see.
Other examples of racist Karens include an incident at a convenience store in Sacramento where a White woman called an unidentified Black woman the N-word and then got into physical combat. The video of this confrontation was shared thousands of times online, prompting widespread outcry on social media platforms.
While some have defended the actions of these racially charged white women, it is essential to recognize their motivations: racism and white privilege. Furthermore, their unwillingness to acknowledge their own prejudices must be addressed if we want to progress as a nation. It is critical for us to bring awareness to these underlying issues of race and class in order to move forward as one unit.
One of the leading anti-racist organizations fighting for Justice Against Racist Karens is Color Of Change, founded 15 years ago with a mission to help people respond to injustice and create a less hostile and human world. With seven million members across North America, Color Of Change takes action on behalf of Black people within their communities.
The organization’s initiatives include several campaigns, such as “Winning Justice”, which encourages people to elect reform-minded prosecutors who advocate for criminal justice reform. Furthermore, it works closely with local organizations in order to implement the changes it advocates.
Black Youth Project
When people think about racism, they often focus on a person’s skin color. While this may be true in some places, it’s not the case everywhere. It is essential to remember that there are many types of people with various skin tones and hair textures – it’s essential to learn about all of them and stop discriminating against those who don’t look like you.
Racialized groups often feel excluded from society due to racism, especially in the United States where many people of color experience structural inequality and discrimination.
This can lead to a range of issues. Some common ones include poverty, health, education and criminal justice.
These issues are often compounded by racist individuals in positions of power and influence. These individuals have the option to internalize racist beliefs or embrace an antiracist mindset and take action against racism.
One of the most successful strategies to combat racism is education about it and motivating others to take action against it. These tactics, known as anti-racist strategies, can help individuals overcome racialized feelings of being inferior or less than because of their skin color.
Teaching people about racism is an effective way to inspire them to be better and more compassionate people in general. Additionally, it helps activate their prefrontal cortex more efficiently.
Though some may argue that racism has become a thing of the past in this country, it remains an issue and should still be taken seriously. That’s why anti-racist organizations remain so crucial.
One of the world’s most effective anti-racist organizations, Black Youth Project, strives to break the generational cycle of incarceration by reconnecting youth of color and their families to community relationships through mentorship, coaching and storytelling.
The program seeks to empower young Black men by providing them with professional mentoring, on-the-job problem solving, access to BMA professional networks and strengths-based relationship building.
Undoing Racism
Racism is often used to refer to racial discrimination, but it also encompasses more subtle forms of white privilege and oppression. While these concepts may be difficult to define, when named explicitly in your work they have the potential for transformational change in how you organize.
Organizations must take time to recognize and confront racism, or else it will continue to exist. Furthermore, educate your staff and volunteers about the history of racism in America, its effects, and how it has shaped today’s system.
It is beneficial to have a conversation about racism with your staff members, particularly those newer to the field. Doing so will enable you to identify and remove obstacles to racial justice and create more chances for anti-racist relationships.
Starting to understand racial discrimination can be an invaluable step. Doing this will make you conscious of how racist practices stem from personal prejudices, providing insight into how best to combat them.
Racial prejudice can be educated upon, but the most powerful way to combat it is through action. This could be accomplished through activism or organizing.
Eliminate laws rooted in racism that enforce unequal outcomes as a first step toward ending systemic racism. These regulations often prevent people of color from rising out of poverty, finding rewarding employment, or accessing essential services they require for successful living.
One way to combat racism is by cultivating a shared analysis of race and racism among your leadership and membership, an initiative for ending racism, political education about race and racism – all supported by Western States Center’s Dismantling Racism project which offers trainings, strategizing sessions and technical assistance.
For instance, two statewide coalitions in Idaho utilized dismantling racism training to foster a shared commitment and useful skills for working alongside Latino groups. This work was further strengthened through annual trainings for leadership and members of these groups.
The organization also provides trainings for volunteers to increase their capacity to combat racism. Through workshops, they create a foundation for anti-racist leadership, provide support and resources for building racial justice campaigns, form white and people of color caucuses, review mission, vision, policies and procedures with anti-racist bias in mind – all while strengthening volunteer capacity.
