Lift-the-flap Questions and Answers about Racism (Questions & Answers)

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Learning about race, racism and privilege can lead people to consider what else they can do to combat discrimination. Sometimes, the next step can involve committing yourself to becoming actively anti-racist but it’s not always clear what that means. But when people talk about being anti-racist, it includes: Covert racism can be much harder to identify and challenge than overt racism. Especially when other people deny it, downplay it or become defensive about it. Or if you have an ongoing relationship with the other person. There's no universal definition of racial trauma. Some professionals use it to mean all the effects that encountering racism can have on how we think, feel and behave. Others, like those using the race-based traumatic stress injury model, use it to describe a specific group of symptoms. Tell your therapist about any problems you're having with them. They might be keen to reflect, learn and do better. Stop seeing them, or ask to be referred to another therapist. This might feel like the right option if they're often making you feel unheard, or unsafe.

Confused or unsure about whether you've experienced racism. This is especially true if others ignore or deny your experiences. It can make you question your reality. This is sometimes referred to as racial gaslighting. At system level we can see the wider impact of the inequalities and power imbalances, for example those set up by colonialism. We see how these are maintained now in policy, law, economics, culture and wider society. And how this creates White privilege. How systemic racism can affect individuals Avoidance. For example, you might find it difficult to remember or talk about your experiences. It might feel hard to believe they really happened. You may also avoid people or places that remind you of your experiences.Have they had any experience of supporting people with the effects of racism? You can ask them directly. A responsible therapist will answer your questions honestly and openly.

This may make it harder to develop a good relationship with them. In some cases you may end up feeling more upset, stressed or isolated. Anti-racism is taking action to challenge racism and promote equality. It is more than not being racist – it is about working against racism. Sometimes it's very obvious, with a clear intention to harm or offend. This is often called overt racism. It can include:calling out racism and discrimination wherever you see it and using your own privilege to draw attention to it Intergenerational trauma. This describes how racial trauma can get passed down in families across generations – from parents to children. This is a new field of study, and researchers aren't sure of all the ways this transfer happens. But we know that when our elders have been harmed by racism, this can affect us in turn. It can impact our self-esteem, sense of safety, and view of the world around us. It can mean the historical end of colonial rule. But it can also mean challenging the cultural dominance of Western ideas over others. It can mean breaking down the lasting impact colonialism has had on society. Institutional racism is when an organisation treats us poorly or unfairly because of our race. This can be intentional or unintentional. Many organisations don't realise how their policies and practices disadvantage people.

Racism and racial abuse or bullying can be really distressing for children and young people. When a child is bullied or treated differently because of their race, it can lead to feelings of isolation, depression, anger or even shame about their race or how they look. Show them our information about how racism can affect mental health. It's your therapist's own responsibility to educate themselves about racism. But they may welcome new information. Anxious, fearful and unsafe. You may worry about how people are going to perceive and treat you. You might feel visibly different and vulnerable when you are around lots of people of a different race. You may spend time thinking about how you'll protect yourself before entering certain spaces. Be conscious or subconscious. You might not realise that some of your negative feelings stem from internalised racism or colourism.Give it some time. It can take time to build trust. And some sessions may be more challenging than others. Feel constant, exhausting and disempowering. For example, we may feel like we have to play different roles in different spaces to stay safe. This is sometimes called code-switching. Internalised racism is when we hold negative views about ourselves because of our race. Internalised colourism is when these views relate to our skin shade.

For example – experiencing institutional racism at school as a child might make it more difficult to find work as an adult. Bias in hiring processes can make this even harder. Unwelcome, lonely or isolated. Especially if people or organisations have said or implied that you don't belong. Not having enough money can have a negative effect on your health. This also contributes to people with first-hand experience of racism being under-represented in management jobs. Which makes it less likely that services will meet people's needs. Interpersonal racism is when a person treats you poorly or unfairly because of your race. This might be colleagues, classmates, strangers, service staff, and even family members or friends. It can happen in person or online. Or it can be covert or harder to recognise, involving subtle comments that put a child or young person down and devalue their experience or identity.Charities and local services. Some local services offer free or low-cost support. Hub of Hope lets you search for local services near you. You can also filter results using their 'BAME Support' tag. Mind's Infoline could also help you find appropriate local services. Forced to suppress how you feel. You may find that you can't show or even fully feel your natural responses to your experiences. To avoid more abuse, and keep yourself safe, you may feel like you must not react to racism. This can leave you feeling numb, or mean that the experience stays with you for a long time. Make us feel cut off from parts of our identity and culture. This can leave us feeling unsure about who we are.