26/07/2026
Do you hate racism but fear being called racist yourself?
Are you shocked by the rising racism and hatred you’re witnessing in the news?
Are you proud that you’re not ‘one of those horrible racists’?
This post is for you.
We imagine you are seeing this post because you think racism or any form of discrimination is wrong. You would never set out to hurt anyone. You do not associate at all with the word ‘racist’. You probably even have a strong, visceral reaction to it. But life is busy, so as long as you're not the racist one it’s ok, you’re doing your bit.
But here’s the difficult truth: even if you’re not the person saying or doing overtly racist things, staying silent while racism happens around you can still help it continue. And if we never stop to examine the ways we might have absorbed racist ideas or assumptions without realising it, we can end up causing harm without intending to.
“Don’t you dare call me a racist. That’s not me.”
If this is your reaction, we promise you’re not alone. No one likes to be called racist. And we are NOT comparing you to an extreme section of society who actively spread hate, incite violence or riot in the streets. But we need more of you who strongly identify with being non-racist to become actively anti-racist… That’s how we can really start chipping away at the racism both you and us both agree is abhorrent.
But how do I actually do that?
Your first action is to read this short article written by a white member of ARC, Soph. She shares about times when she has made racist assumptions herself, times when she felt attacked for being called out’ and the messy steps she is taking, to listen, to act and to move into action as an anti-racist.
We hope this will help you to think about anti-racism in a new way and inspire you to join us as part of the change.
You are needed 💛
Read the full article here: https://antiracistcumbria.org/but-im-not-racist/
