What is racism?
Racism is unfair treatment based on race rooted in oppression and privilege. Racism is often seen in interpersonal situations between people, including use of hate speech, physically violence, use of stereotypes, or differential treatment. Additionally, racism effects every part of our society, influencing laws and policies causing racial disparities, shaping where people live, and access to opportunities like jobs or education. So, even if racism is invisible, it still impacts everyone in the community.
Racism can affect the entire community at four levels (see figure):
1. Internalized Racism: when people believe the negative stereotypes about themselves or racial group.
For example: feeling bad about yourself because of your race, discrimination within your racial group based on the lightness or darkness of skin color (colorism).
2. Interpersonal Racism: when one person discriminates against another because of their race.
For example: racial slurs, stereotypes, exclusion because of one’s race.
Examples in Milwaukee: See how Black Milwaukee residents are affected by discrimination.
3. Institutional Racism: inequitable practices built into institutions like government, schools, or businesses – hurting some racial groups while helping others.
For example: unfair hiring, racial profiling by police, and unequal access to healthcare.
Examples in Milwaukee: See Milwaukee maps showing areas affected by inequitable policing, healthcare access, unemployment rates; See information presented by the City of Milwaukee on how residents’ health is impacted by racism.
4. Systemic Racism: when discrimination is built into how society works, causing general unfairness and inequity for certain racial groups. This type of racism spreads across multiple institutions, as well as social, cultural, and historical factors that contribute to racial disparities.
For example: inequitable school funding, redlining, and racial wage gaps.
Examples in Milwaukee: See how systemic factors, like redlining, impact Milwaukee residents.
How can we fight racism in our community?
1. Make your voice count:
a. Vote at every level of government, including local officials like city council members.
b. Stay civically engage beyond elections by following local news and initiatives, or supporting Milwaukee-specific organizations fighting racism, such as RidRacism Milwaukee.
2. Learn more about racism and engage in conversations about it:
a. Code Switch, an NPR podcast diving into all things race.
b. FUELMilwaukee’s Race Bridge webinars (YouTube), monthly 60-minute conversations on race and racism with local residents and community experts.
