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Dismantling Racism Resource Book

5. Challenging

With all the knowledge and awareness that we have gained through this process,
now it is time for action. We need to work with other people of color and whites
and learn how to challenge each other and to be challenged. One of the impacts of
internalized racism is that it makes challenging racism difficult. Part of our
empowerment is learning to resist and challenge despite the internal and external
barriers. If we can not do this, we could fall backward into one of the previous
stages like rage or exclusion.

6. Collective Action

It is not enough to challenge racist moments individually, although that is
incredibly important. Here we work together to build an organization or institution.
The process of empowerment becomes a collective process. People of color must
be working with other people of color and white allies to stay truly empowered. The

goal is to be a part of a community of resistance.

7. Community of Resistance

A Community of Resistance is
Organizing for collective Power to work for social justice and transformation.
Building a community that can heal the remnants of racism and internalized
racist oppression.

Building a community or organization that can help members learn to think
critically about the community, country and world.
Developing a culture and specific projects that promote leadership
development to help people of color realize their potential.
People of color can never truly be empowered until we develop formal and
informal systems of accountability with our community. We must be able to
hold each other responsible for our actions lovingly and effectively.

Dismantling Racism Project 47 Western States Center