One of the most fascinating—and sometimes confusing—things about racism is that people who say or do racist things often don’t believe they’re racist. In fact, if you asked them directly, most would probably deny it and might even be offended by the question.
Why is that? A big part of the reason is that many people think of racism as something extreme—like openly hating or discriminating against others because of their race. They picture racists as people from the past, or as villains in movies, not as everyday people like themselves.
But racism isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, it shows up in small actions, words, or assumptions—like making a joke about someone’s background, believing stereotypes, or not speaking up when something unfair happens. These subtle forms of racism, called “implicit bias,” can happen even when people don’t mean any harm and aren’t aware of it.
That’s why it’s so important to think critically about our own beliefs and actions. Recognizing that racism can be hidden—even from ourselves—helps us become more understanding and fair to everyone. The first step to making a positive change is being open to the idea that we all have things to learn and ways to grow.
Minister A Francine Green, May 2026
—————————————————
Bibliography
· Beverly Daniel Tatum. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race. Basic Books, 2017.
· Peggy McIntosh. “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Peace and Freedom Magazine, July/August 1989.
· Robin DiAngelo. White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Beacon Press, 2018.
· Banaji, Mahzarin R., and Anthony G. Greenwald. Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People. Delacorte Press, 2013.
· American Psychological Association. “Understanding Implicit Bias.” [URL]. Accessed 05/03/2026.