What is Systemic Racism? - Gabriela Ituarte

Generally when we hear these words we think of shaved people, with long beards and tattooed swastikas, wielding the Confederate flag of the United States, shouting at the top of their lungs that they hate people of color.

But the reality is even more dangerous, more subtle and much more sinister.

If racial supremacy were reduced to individual acts it would be simpler, but unfortunately that is not the case. When we talk about racial supremacy, we are talking about a series of political, economic and social systems intertwined with each other in order to maintain a sophisticated caste system, based on the belief that power and glory, as well as all the benefits that This means they only belong to people called white and from only a high social stratum.

These systems were implemented hundreds of years ago and were the cornerstone of colonization in the world, as well as an invented justification for being able to enslave other human beings and deprive them of their humanity in order to exploit them. We might think that this was many centuries ago, but the reality is that these systems have current structures that today take us in their clutches and like cages are designed to keep us in a place of repression and at the service and benefit of the upper castes.

What does this mean for you if you belong to what they call a minority?

That neither you, nor your children nor their descendants have the right to have more in any sense than what the system wants and has designated for you. This is that there are systemic structures implemented almost invisibly and sometimes very visible that their job is to create barrier after barrier so that not all opportunities are accessible to you and your children. For example, filling out complaint forms that will be reviewed by the same people who create these barriers, or putting people without any training or education to review them, the lack of equity and accessibility to the resources established to “help everyone” and, above all, the lack of a true structure that is efficient and honest that ensures that everyone can access resources that in most cases are rights inherent to the human condition such as education and dignified and fair treatment.

Faced with the helplessness and frustration that this generates, the structures of racial supremacy ensure that those of us who seek equity and inclusion for all lose faith, get tired, become afraid, and end up resigning and giving up.

But what can we do about this? Is resignation the only way?

NOO! These structures may be older than Methuselah, but it does not mean that there is nothing to do, we have the power to interrupt them and there are several things that we can start practicing today to be able to generate a restructuring from within that will have a positive impact on the environment. outside, for example:

1.- Validate ourselves and others when they see or feel inequities or we feel unfairly treated.

2.- Stop judging each other, judgment distances us from compassion and empathy.

3.- Seek and be intentional when treating others with respect, even if their ideas do not coincide with mine. 4.-Remember that unity always makes strength.

5.- Be a support for those who are tired of fighting, sometimes just accompanying makes a big difference so that the other gains strength.

6.-Work on becoming aware that we do not ask for anything that is outside of our inherent rights as human beings, which we acquire by simply being born.

8.- Thank all those people who in different ways dare to raise their voices.

Because at the end of the day we are all systemically intertwined and what we do or don't do will always have an impact on everyone and what we give to others we give to ourselves.

To all my brothers on the road, thank you very much for your effort, your time, your effort and your courage. With admiration...

Gabriela Ituarte, Fundadora de WABTF

My journey began as a clinical psychologist in Mexico, and over 25 years, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of fostering mental well-being and inclusivity. This journey has led me to become a Cornell-certified DEI professional, and I am deeply committed about participating in creating a more equitable and inclusive society.