It does matter: what would you do?

Actions often speak lower than words - but both words and actions can also cause immense harm when we are talking about racism. So what does it mean to truly be anti-racist? this was the topic that my mentor and I spent some time talking about recently - and about how do you move from not liking or accepting racism, to being aware of privilege and microaggressions to actually putting your beliefs into action. It is hard to always know what you should do - and to be truthful - we debated that if we felt that confronting something could put our own lives in danger or those that we love - it would be very hard. And then we also thought about the many Ukrainians who are doing just that at the moment. But we did know that being anti-racist, vs. just not racist, was a really important thing to be - to truly make a difference for ourselves, our children, and the communities in which we live.

So what does it look like? https://www.youtube.com/embed/jm5DWa2bpbs?feature=oembed We looked at this youtube video that explains the difference of being non vs. anti. But the key point is that being non - is whilst a great "moral code" - it doesn't really change anything. Active is important - what hurts one of us hurts all of us - and to create the world that I want to live in - making it ok for everyone to feel safe, to live freely, to express their culture their heritage their religion requires me to take action. My mentor and I spoke about a story that her daughter shared with her about a boy on his way to school. He was a boy of colour - he was in his school uniform on his way to school, minding his own business. But he was sitting in a seat that an older gentleman and his wife wanted. And instead of treating the boy with dignity and asking if they could have the seat - they told him that his kind should not be sitting in that seat. This is the moment - the what does it look like moment - the what do I do moment.

And what happened - well the boy moved seats.

And what happened next made a profound impact (we hope on the boy) but certainly on the storyteller. The other grown ups on the bus confronted the couple - told them that their words and racism was not appropriate, that a young boy sitting minding his own business did not deserve that from anyone - let alone two people who should know better.

But also what is interesting - what else could you do when you come across situations: Sit next to the person, offer friendship, kindness, comfort, get off at the stop with them if the person might feel vulnerable, ask others for help.

But what if it's people you know....do you feel brave enough to confront racism when you hear it? Are you making people that come from a diverse background welcome and included in the workplace. Read this article to find out more about what actions you can take: 11 Anti-Racist Actions You Can Take at Work | The Muse. For me this is one of the most important things we can do- we spend so much time at work and it is a wonderful place to learn about how we can be anti-racist and inclusive at the same time. We know that diverse workplaces deliver better results - however to keep that diversity alive and working for us - we have to ensure that the environment in which people come to work is an inclusive one - one where people can bring their whole selves, share their differences and their talents, explore topics that are both challenging and stretching - and make sure that we ensure everyone - no matter who they are, where they come from, where and how they grew up - can use their talents and succeed. Being anti-racist is a set of habits - not only when you see racism - but whenever you see the opportunity to welcome someone who many be different than you or others around you - by creating that space for them to be included - to succeed. It is the same acts - speak up, be friendly, be kind, confront microaggressions (your own and others), ask for help including reporting or speaking up when you see racists behaviours at work.

I want to work in a place where everyone can be successful - use their talents, unlock potential - and so I will be anti-racist - not just non racists. It matters and actions make it happen.