What Is Racism? Why It Matters. How To Be Anti-Racist.
(With guidance for UK organisations preparing for Black History Month in October)
During Black History Month in the United States (February), people reflect on history, justice, civil rights and equality.
In the UK, Black History Month takes place in October. Although the histories differ, the core message is the same:
Fairness matters.
Truth matters.
Action matters.
This February guide focuses on the USA context, while also signposting how UK organisations can embed learning into their Equality Act duties.
What Is Racism?
Racism is when people are treated unfairly because of their:
- Race
- Skin colour
- Ethnicity
- National origin
Racism is not just about hurt feelings.
Racism happens when:
- People are treated worse because of their race
- Systems create unequal outcomes
- Power is used unfairly
Racism can affect:
- Education
- Employment
- Housing
- Healthcare
- Policing
- Wealth and opportunity
Racism is about patterns across systems, not just one rude comment.
What Racism Is NOT
Racism is NOT:
- Someone disagreeing with you
- Being asked to consider inequality
- Not always being centred
- Feeling uncomfortable in a discussion
Discomfort can be part of learning.
Oppression is about long-term structural harm.
What Does the Evidence Show in the United States?
Data across decades shows consistent racial disparities.
Wealth
- The median wealth of white families is significantly higher than that of Black families.
- Historical policies such as redlining and housing discrimination contributed to this gap.
Housing
- White Americans are more likely to own homes.
- Black families were systematically excluded from mortgage access for generations.
Employment
- Studies show that CVs with “white-sounding” names receive more callbacks than identical CVs with “Black-sounding” names.
- Occupational segregation persists.
Criminal Justice
- Black Americans are stopped, searched and incarcerated at higher rates.
- Sentencing disparities have been widely documented.
Health
- Black Americans experience higher maternal mortality rates.
- Life expectancy differs along racial lines.
- Structural barriers affect healthcare access.
This does not mean every white person has an easy life.
It means being white is not, in itself, a structural disadvantage in American society.
There is no evidence of a system that harms white people as a racial group.
The Impact of Racism
Racism causes real harm.
1. Mental Health
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Depression
- Hypervigilance
- Feeling unsafe
2. Physical Health
- Higher rates of some chronic illnesses
- Maternal mortality disparities
- Shorter average life expectancy
3. Education and Employment
- Fewer opportunities
- Lower pay
- Underrepresentation in leadership
4. Daily Life
- Being followed in shops
- Being profiled
- Being stereotyped
- Being treated as “less than”
This cumulative harm is known as racial trauma.
What Is Racial Trauma?
Racial trauma is the psychological and emotional harm caused by repeated exposure to racism.
It can feel like:
- Always being on guard
- Feeling exhausted from explaining racism
- Worrying about how you are perceived
- Being reduced to stereotypes
Children and young people can experience this too.
Racism affects identity, belonging and safety from an early age.
Why Do Some People Say, “Reverse Racism”?
Some people use the term when they feel:
- Social change is happening quickly
- They are not always centred
- Equality initiatives feel unfamiliar
However, racism is not simply prejudice.
It is prejudice plus systemic power.
For “reverse racism” to exist at a societal level, there would need to be:
- Laws disadvantaging white people because they are white
- Long-standing institutional systems harming white communities as a racial group
- Measurable structural disadvantage tied specifically to whiteness
There is no evidence of this in the United States.
Individual prejudice can happen in any direction.
Systemic racism is about structures and power.
Correcting inequality is not discrimination.
What Is Anti-Racism?
Anti-racism is active.
It means:
- Recognising racism exists
- Understanding how systems create unequal outcomes
- Challenging discriminatory behaviour
- Working to change policies and structures
It moves from neutrality to responsibility.
Saying “I’m not racist” is passive.
Being anti-racist requires action.
How To Be Anti-Racist
1. Learn
- Study the history of slavery, segregation and civil rights
- Understand how policy shapes inequality
- Listen to lived experiences
2. Listen
When someone describes racism:
- Do not dismiss
- Do not minimise
- Do not centre yourself
Say:
“I hear you.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
3. Speak Up
- Challenge racist language
- Intervene safely
- Support those affected
Silence protects injustice.
4. Reflect
Ask:
- What assumptions do I carry?
- Who is missing from leadership?
- Who benefits from the status quo?
5. Support Structural Change
- Equitable recruitment
- Diverse leadership pipelines
- Anti-discrimination enforcement
- Data transparency
Systems must change, not just attitudes.
Key Messages
✔ Racism is about systems and power.
✔ Evidence shows structural racial inequality in the USA.
✔ Equality efforts are not discrimination.
✔ Anti-racism requires action.
For UK Professionals: Preparing for Black History Month in October
Although this guide focuses on the USA context during February, UK organisations have legal responsibilities under:
- Equality Act 2010
- Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)
What the Equality Act 2010 Requires
Race is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.
Organisations must not:
- Discriminate directly or indirectly
- Harass
- Victimise
They must ensure fair access to:
- Employment
- Education
- Services
What the Public Sector Equality Duty Requires: Public bodies must have due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination
- Advance equality of opportunity
- Foster good relations between groups
Black History Month in October is not simply a celebration month.
For UK public bodies, it is an opportunity to:
- Review race equality data
- Examine recruitment and progression gaps
- Assess representation in leadership
- Consult communities
- Strengthen race equality objectives
BHM should connect to policy, governance and measurable outcomes.
Moving From Celebration to Compliance and Courage: For UK schools, colleges, local authorities and charities:
- Link BHM activity to Equality Objectives
- Evidence impact in governance reports
- Engage student or service-user voice
- Embed learning across the year, not just October
Equality is not a one-month event.
It is a statutory and moral responsibility.
For Children and Young People
You can:
- Stand up for classmates
- Challenge stereotypes
- Learn about Black history respectfully
- Celebrate culture with understanding
Fairness matters.
You deserve a world where everyone is treated with dignity.
And building that world starts with truth, courage and action.