Assembly’s anti-racism guide for girls
(Courtesy of Jay Davis / Malala Fund)
A resource to help you learn more about the fight for racial justice, how you can take action and steps to protect your mental well-being.
There are a lot of great anti-racism guides out there — but few are geared towards young women and consider anti-racism in a global context. We’re here to change that.
With information and resources that centre on girls’ experiences around the world, this guide will help you learn more about the fight for racial justice, how you can take action and steps to protect your mental well-being.
This document is not exhaustive, which is why we’ve linked out to articles, TikToks, YouTube videos, Instagram posts and more to help you continue learning about anti-racism. If you have suggestions for additional resources, we’d love to hear them.
Let’s get started.
(Courtesy of Jay Davis / Malala Fund)
Words to know.
To begin, let’s define the terms that often come up when we’re talking about anti-racism.
Race: A categorisation of people based on physical and social characteristics that societies often view as distinct. Race doesn’t exist on a scientific level; there is little evidence grounded in biology or genetics of distinct races. However, race exists socially, culturally and politically the same way gender and nationality exist. Race has real effects on people, perception and power, which is why it's so important to talk about.
Racism: Racism is prejudice based on race, but it is more than just personal attitudes. It is entire social, economic and political systems built on the idea of White superiority that prevent equal access to education, wealth, employment, housing, health care, politics and more (22-year-old activist Kennedy Mitchum just successfully convinced Merriam-Webster to revise its definition to reflect this). Racial prejudice combined with institutional and social power reinforces individual bias and perpetuates the oppression of people of colour.
Racism is a global phenomenon, affecting Black girls’ ability to get quality education, silencing their experiences, causing increased rates of police violence and incarceration, preventing them from seeing themselves represented in the media and more.
Anti-racism: The theory, strategy and active process of challenging and eventually ending racism. Anti-racism work is never really done and takes constant relearning and action.
Around the world, young women are leading anti-racist efforts. In Brazil, YouTuber Nátaly Neri produced a video series exploring the experiences of Afro-Brazilian women and documenting the discrimination they experience. In India, college student Chandana Hiran started a petition to address colourism (prejudice against darker skin). In the U.S., student activist Zyahna Bryant successfully petitioned to have the government remove a racist war memorial. In South Africa, Zulaikha Patel spoke out about her school’s discriminatory hair policies against Afro hair and challenges post-apartheid institutional racism in her country.
Intersectionality: The ways that different social identities (such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance and class) overlap so that many forms of oppression are active at the same time.
For example, when a girl experiencing homelessness does not have access to menstrual products, she is experiencing the overlapping marginalisation of gender inequality and classism. Gender inequality because many people don’t see menstrual products as essential so they aren’t often available in shelters, and classism because she can't afford necessities due to her economic status.
Anti-Blackness: This specific form of racism is based on prejudices against Black people. It shapes how non-Black people perceive and treat Black people. Anti-Black stereotypes create assumptions of Africa as a monolithic place of poverty, violence and backwards practices.
Anti-Blackness is pervasive around the world. 22-year-old tennis star Naomi Osaka has spoken out about the anti-Blackness she experiences in Japan. In Saudi Arabia, beauty blogger and influencer Abeer Sinder recently shared how racial slurs shaped her childhood. And non-Black Argentines often make Afro-Argentines feel like they’re outsiders in their own country.
Colourism: Prejudice against darker skin tones and preference for those with lighter skin. This particular form of prejudice is prevalent within the same racial group and racially homogeneous societies.
The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked important conversations in India about colourism. The ancient caste system and colonisation have contributed to a long history of discrimination based on skin tone in India; negative stereotypes continue to today with darker skin associated with poverty, ugliness and criminality. Brands such as “Fair and Lovely” dominate the country’s billion-dollar skin lightening industry with the message that fair skin is beautiful. However, young women are challenging these practices with the viral hashtag #unfairandlovely.
Privilege: Social advantages from being part of a dominant social group that has disproportionate amounts of power. Privilege comes in many forms: racial group, gender, class, ability, education, ethnicity and sexual orientation.
You might not consider yourself racist, sexist, etc., but that doesn’t mean you aren’t benefiting from a system that privileges you over others. Everyone holds some form of privilege within their community. Privilege doesn't mean your life is easy, but instead that other disadvantages haven't made your life harder.
Allyship: Allyship is when people within a privileged group use their resources to work in solidarity with marginalised people. For example, men who advocate for women’s rights are allies because they are using their privilege to support women.
European colonialism: The historical and ongoing political process where European countries acquire control over territories around the world by forming colonies, controlling Indigenous populations and exploiting the local economy. This process has shaped almost every society and has lasting economic and cultural legacies. Racism is rooted in colonial structures. European colonisers divided and categorised people according to race, asserting the superiority of White people and using it to justify the enslavement, economic exploitation and genocide of non-White people.
Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement: A decentralised movement founded in 2013 in the U.S. to protest against police brutality and all forms of racism. It can be used as a slogan as many organisations, activists and communities work on similar issues of racial equity.
Young people leading the BLM movement around the world include 19-year-old Sierra Todd, who organised the BLM protest in Tokyo, 13-year-old Naomi Wadler, who demands justice for Black girls and women in the U.S. killed by the police, and Malaika Minyukulu Gutto, who helped create the South African Youth for Black Lives Matter group.
(Courtesy of Jay Davis / Malala Fund)
Racism around us.
Racism takes on many forms around us. Some are more insidious than others, but every form of racism is harmful and it’s up to all of us to stand up against these injustices. To start, let’s identify the ways that racism can appear.
Tokenism: The shallow effort of the inclusion of people of colour for the appearance of diversity, which means presence without meaningful participation. One of the ways this is often seen is when companies hire a small number of people from underrepresented groups in an effort to give the appearance of equality. However, without addressing the inherent inequalities and culture that make the space exclusive in the first place, these efforts are performative.
Racial stereotypes: Overgeneralisations about people in a racial group. This means assuming that everyone from one group shares the same specific characteristics. These generalisations are harmful because they remove unique and diverse experiences from people and assign traits based on race. Even “positive” stereotypes are harmful, like the stereotype that Black people are more athletic or Asian people are industrious and hardworking. They take away from an individual's experiences and effort, and misattribute their qualities to race. This leads to “self-fulfilling prophecies,” where the expectations of stereotypes lead people to uphold them.
Adultification bias: The perception that Black girls are less innocent and more adult-like than their White peers. This bias leads to Black girls receiving harsher treatment from school administrators, law enforcement and the justice system. In the U.S., schools suspend Black girls five times more than White girls and Black girls are 2.7 times more likely to be referred to the juvenile justice system than their White peers.
Colourblind: The claim that an individual is not affected by the structures of racism and does not see race. Colourblindness dismisses and ignores the effects that racism has on the lives of others. It creates a narrative that racism is just a personal attitude. Racism has real structural ramifications and ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. Colourblindness makes the problem of racism worse by failing to acknowledge or resolve inequalities.
Microaggression: Everyday instances of racism, sexism, homophobia and more that convey negative prejudices against marginalised groups. Microaggressions can be insults, comments or gestures that display prejudice. They are harmful and show underlying hostilities that may even be unintentional.
Examples of microaggressions include teachers expecting a student of colour to be the spokesperson for their community in class, asking someone if their hair is real, boys talking over and interrupting girls in class, saying that someone “doesn’t sound Black,” colleagues continuing to mispronounce their peers’ names or commenting that someone “doesn’t look disabled.”
Racial violence: This is any form of violence that has racial motivations or biases. Some forms of racial violence are overt with a clear racial motivation and target. However, other forms of racial violence may stem from implicit biases, like some forms of police brutality. Even though the police officer may not be overtly racist, prejudices lead to excessive force and violence.
(Courtesy of Jay Davis / Malala Fund)
Start with self-education.
Racism and prejudice affect us all and it’s important to educate ourselves about these issues. Whether you like to read, watch movies, scroll through your feeds or (virtually) visit museums, we’ve got suggestions on where to start your journey of self-education.
It’s important to understand that you will never know everything about anti-racism and that's OK. When you are in a situation where you don't know something, it is always best to be humble. Do your own research for meaningful conversation and don't rely on marginalised people in your life to educate you. You’re going to make mistakes but the important thing is how you handle them. Don’t get defensive. Apologise, educate yourself and do better next time.
For our readers who are new to racial justice, check out these toolkits:
"This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work" by Tiffany Jewell and illustrated by Aurélia Durand
An illustrated racial literacy tool with essential vocabulary on race and identity.
"Tell Me Who You Are: Sharing our stories of race, culture, & identity" by Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi
Featuring interviews by students with people around the U.S., this toolkit examines racism and strategies for creating change.
Book ideas if you’re ready to dive more into theoretical and historical studies:
"Black Skin, White Masks" by Frantz Fanon
A vital book from 1952 studying the history of revolutionary struggle, colonialism and racial difference around the world.
"Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches" by Audre Lorde
A series of writings about sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia and class that propounds social difference as a vehicle for action.
"The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander
An examination into the U.S. criminal justice system, exposing racial discrimination in lawmaking and policing.
"How to be an Anti-Racist" by Ibram X. Kendi
Through a combination of ethics, history, law and science with his personal story of awakening to antiracism, Kendi explains forms of racism, their consequences and how we can oppose them in systems and ourselves.
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
This classic memoir is a nuanced, honest and unflinching portrayal of racism and its consequences in the U.S.
“Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi
This novel explores the lives of the descendants of half-sisters, one sold into slavery and one married to a British colonist.
“Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth” by Warsan Shire
Through poetry, Shire explores the intersections of race, gender and immigration.
Journals that engage in important discussions about anti-racism, intersectionality and equality:
A site offering resources for educators (so you can share with your teachers!) that will help students challenge prejudice and be agents of change in their own lives.
The International Journal of Discrimination and the Law
The publication covers a wide range of areas of discrimination including racism, the treatment of asylum-seekers and refugees, issues of immigration and more.
The Journal of Gender, Race & Justice
The journal examines how we negotiate our identities, how legal systems negotiate them for us and how these negotiations affect our ability to attain justice.
The Journal of Race and Policy
The publication promotes intellectual debate and the development of new ideas on race and public policy in the U.S. and around the world.
Other anti-racism guides to read:
New York Institute of Technology Anti-Oppression LibGuide: Anti-racist resources
Centro Gabo: 200 recursos para hacer frente al racismo y la discriminación racial
Mouvement contre le Racisme, l’Antisémitisme et la Xénophobie: Le guide de l'antiracisme
YouTube series to check out:
26-year-old author and history teacher Elexus Jionde uses her channel to discuss history, race, sex, sociology and pop culture.
Afro-Brazilian creator and influencer Nátaly Neri exists at the intersection of all things wellness — from sustainable living to skincare — but offers a unique perspective by analysing them from the vantage point of race.
With their series Colorloading, the channel addresses colourism in India.
A Nigerian British content creator who uses satire to discuss different issues affecting the African continent.
Produces stories about social justice, activism, identity and insights into how cultural trends affect the world today.
Kat discusses race, gender and other social justice issues along with her own intersecting identity.
Murilo discusses his life as an activist, Black, queer and religious person in Brazil, aiming to create an open dialogue on diversity, empathy, empowerment and love.
This show takes a deeper look at the research and facts behind trending topics in the news.
Curates discussions to encourage women of colour as they define their own success stories.
A South African creator who tackles social justice issues affecting his generation.
Movies and series to watch:
A documentary film exploring the history of race and the criminal justice system in the U.S.
A series tracing the cultural history and the lasting impact of the millions of enslaved people who arrived in Brazil, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico and Peru.
A documentary focusing on how a "fairness fetish" has permeated Indian society.
"nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up"
This documentary raises questions about racism within Canada’s legal system following the death of a young Cree man named Colten Boushie.
Who to follow:
An outspoken activist who discusses intersectional feminism and her experiences as an Afro-Argentine young woman.
A digital community that challenges body discrimination and focuses on Black mental and physical health.
A South African activist who speaks out against post-apartheid institutional racism in her country.
The former president of Black Lives Matter Greater New York who shares what it’s like to be on the ground as a young leader in the Black Lives Matter movement.
A digital community that shines light on the overlooked heritage and culture of Afro-Latino communities.
An author and academic who leads conversations on race and intersectional feminism through storytelling and teaching.
A student activist and community organiser who works on issues of racial justice.
A digital community that discusses the international implications of colourism and challenging these harmful narratives.
Exhibits to (virtually) visit:
Addressing apartheid and the 20th century history of South Africa.
Highlighting the importance of African people in the formation of Brazilian culture, heritage and identity.
National Museum of Anthropology
Containing the largest collection of ancient Mexican art and ethnographic exhibits about Mexico’s Indigenous groups.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture
The only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history and culture.
National Museum of Australia: A Different Time Exhibit
Providing poignant reflections of the colonial expansion of Australia and history between Europeans and Indigenous Australians.
Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum
Portraying the history of the Auschwitz concentration camp and the fate of the people who were prisoners and were murdered there during the Holocaust.
Exhibits that explore the origins of this urban contemporary art form with roots in Black and Brown communities in big cities.
Organisations to support:
By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation and centring Black joy, this organisation is bringing justice, healing and freedom to Black people around the world.
Centro de Cultura Luiz Freire (CCLF)
CCLF works with underrepresented ethnic, racial and cultural groups in Brazil to strengthen social movements in these communities, focusing on helping quilombola and Indigenous communities access quality public school education.
Anti-Racism Network South Africa
The network aims to ensure that local organisations have the capacity to deal with issues of racism within their communities and also are able to be part of national and international efforts.
The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust
This U.K. organisation was founded to tackle inequality in all its forms.
A global anti-colourism campaign fighting colourism and body image anxieties in Asia and Africa.
A U.S. legal advocacy organisation specialising in civil rights and public interest litigation.
A daily news site published by Race Forward, a national organisation that advances racial justice through research and media.
(Courtesy of Jay Davis / Malala Fund)
Taking action.
As you educate yourself about anti-racism, it's important to start implementing what you’ve learned into action. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
Talk about it. As you learn more about racism, it's important to share what you know. Start conversations with friends and family about racism and its effects. These conversations don’t always have to be debates. But it can look like sharing resources, articles and videos to start a conversation.
Support organisations (and not just with money!). It is also helpful to find organisations that align with your interest and find ways to get involved with them. You can use your time and talents to support their work. Volunteer. Use your athletic or artistic skills to fundraise. Donate money, food or other resources. Organisations need your help and there's plenty of ways to support.
Organise. As you notice ways racism and discrimination are visible in your community, you can lead initiatives to address them. Find creative solutions to raise awareness about an issue or address inequities in your community. This can look like starting discussion groups, creating a fundraiser, connecting more with marginalised communities, raising awareness on social media, protesting racist policies, boycotting certain brands or writing letters to your local officials. Find creative ways to advocate.
Know your purchase power. Girls have astounding financial power with what we choose to buy, watch and listen to, so use that money to support marginalised people. This can start with donating to charities and organisations, but it also means being thoughtful about where you choose to shop, eat and consume content. Try to support local businesses run by marginalised people in your communities. Educate yourself about the policies and practices of big brands and boycott those that do not align with your values.
Be open to making mistakes and listening. It is important to recognise that with anti-racist work there is no need for perfection. Instead we need self-reflection and growth. When someone from a marginalised background lets you know what you’ve said or done is upholding harmful stereotypes or has discriminatory undertones, accept the advice with grace. We all are learning. Making mistakes and doing better is a part of the process.
(Courtesy of Jay Davis / Malala Fund)
Taking care of yourself.
Fighting against racism takes a toll on your physical, mental and emotional health. That’s why it's important to take time to care for yourself, especially if you are Black, Indigenous or a person of colour.
Here are some resources for self-care and coping:
Understanding why you feel so tired.
For Black, Indigenous and other people of colour, constantly engaging and explaining how they're affected by racism is exhausting. While confronting racism is uncomfortable for everyone, there is a difference between discomfort and exhaustion because of your own identities.
People of colour may experience racial battle fatigue, which is the physical and mental stress-related effects of “constantly facing racially dismissive, demeaning, insensitive and/or hostile racial environments and individuals.”
Engaging on topics that mirror your own experiences of oppression can be triggering. It can force you to relive racial trauma.
Social media can also be retraumatising. Seeing videos, comments, and posts about racism that your community experiences is troubling.
Disconnect and recharge.
Set aside time to refrain from having conversations, consuming media and engaging with topics of racism that affect you.
When you disconnect, focus on doing activities that bring you joy and peace, such as playing a sport, doing arts and crafts or rewatching your favourite show.
Finding support in community with other people who have similar experiences is important. Venting, joking and confiding in each other helps you create safe spaces.
Set personal boundaries when discussing racism in professional or academic spaces. You are not the spokesperson for your community and don’t have to lead every argument or discussion. You can let your teacher or supervisor know that it is overwhelming for you and choose not participate.
Practise self-care.
Practise mindfulness with apps like Breathe, MyLife, Calm and Headspace.
Move your body with free online yoga instruction in English and Spanish.
Find digital resources for wellness and health with The Center for Mindful Living.
Begin a BLM guided meditation geared towards helping you cope with racial trauma.
Read about how to cope with stress from racism.
Find affordable therapy options, alternatives and resources.
Read the Self-Care Zine, a digital platform that focuses on the mental health of Black and Brown people and centres rest as a key part of resistance.
Integrate self-care into your work.
Anti-racism is a commitment and self-care is a part of this practice. Don’t wait until you experience burnout to incorporate self-care into your work.
Practise setting personal boundaries even as you continue to engage in anti-racism work. Be clear on what you aren’t willing to do or discuss and behaviour you will not accept from others.
Allow yourself to reflect and feel your feelings. As you confront microaggressions, stereotypes and tokenism every day, you may assume you are immune to it. However, racism will get under your skin some days more than others and you are allowed to be angry, hurt, sad and disappointed. Feel all the difficult emotions, you are not weak for doing so.
Remember that systemic racism wasn’t built in a day, so it can’t be dismantled in a day. You are a part of a long legacy of people who are fighting for social justice. So celebrate the wins, no matter how small. Understand that the losses are not permanent. Even when you don’t succeed, you are laying down the foundation for someone else to succeed after you. Their wins are your wins when fighting against racism.
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