Anti-racism work needs to be undertaken by everyone, not just those with lived experiences of racism. For this work to be meaningful, it must be done in solidarity with those directly impacted by racism. Solidarity recognises that to dismantle racism we must work together. As the Queensland Aboriginal activists group states:
“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
Reni Eddo-Lodge describes ways to work together in ‘Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race’:
“Anti-racist work – the logistics, the strategy, the organising – needs to be led by the people at the sharp end of injustice. But I also believe that white people who recognise racism have an incredibly important part to play. That part can’t be played while wallowing in guilt. White support looks like financial or administrative assistance to the groups doing vital work. Or intervening when you are needed in bystander situations. Support looks like white advocacy for anti-racist causes in all-white spaces. White people, you need to talk to other white people about race.
Talk to other white people who trust you. Talk to white people in the areas of your life where you have influence. If you feel burdened by your unearned privilege, try to use it for something, and use it where it counts.”
The previous quote speaks to solidarity between people who experience racism and white people. It is important for people with shared experiences of racism to build solidarity with each other. As we’ve previously explored, there are specific forms of racism, such as Anti-Blackness and Islamophobia which impact people in different ways. There are issues of a proximity to whiteness and colourism which impact people differently. In this way, solidarity is relevant to all people who want to strive for racial justice.
In the following exercises, we will consider ways to work in solidarity.