Anti-racism or non-racism?

Last week a leader in the Call To Action community, Megan Graves, sent me a video clip through Facebook. It was a black man asking the viewer if s/he was 'non' or 'anti' in regard to racism. I was intrigued. He went on to explain the difference.  A 'non-racist' doesn't want racism and isn't a member of the KKK or other 'skin-head' groups. A 'non' sees racism as a personal, moral stance; one that s/he doesn't participate in. The focus for a 'non' is what I am not doing. An 'anti-racist' is an individual who is actively working against societal structures that are racist. Not caught up in personal guilt but sees racism as a cultural system, this person is action-oriented.  S/he participates in rallies and protests; writes, talks to whoever will listen.  An 'anti' is busy doing to make a change.

The video offered an opportunity for me to examine my own life and choices.  While I do participate in anti-racism activities, I am not as active as I could be. Why? It is not that I don't care. That is far from the truth; I care very deeply about racial justice. It is more likely because I am comfortable. Comfortable in my relationships, comfortable in my job, comfortable in my little apartment. On this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, perhaps we can all take one step, moving from a 'non' to an 'anti.' The world is waiting for us.