If you’ve ever worked a job of any sort, you know the value of a holiday and time off. You know the importance of lunch breaks and working to a specified schedule. Yes, these are familiarities that we’re all aware of. We see the stop and start, we know the beginning, and we know the end. Sadly some elements in life never have a break; they never have a day off. Unfortunately, racism is one of those constructs that never takes a day off. It never clocks out.  It exists every second of every day in the form of social media; in the workplace; microaggressions are displayed overtly and covertly.

Many people believe that once 2021 hits, the pandemic will be over, and everything will change overnight. While that sounds like a great idea, it’s not a reality. The world is focusing on finding a vaccine for Covid19. But one thing we all need to consider is creating a vaccine that rejects racism.   If racism is always at work, then love and unity must do overtime.

Many people over the last few months have learnt about modern day, manifestations of racism. They are beginning to see it in all of their organisations, in their world, and indeed, in themselves. Being aware of the nature of modern racism can be a source of optimism.  I believe,  some of the actions that we can take to overcome racial prejudice, are not that difficult.  It’s no longer a question about our ability but more one of our motivations.

What about those difficult conversations?

Believe it or not, a great deal of racism matures because people talk about each other instead of to each other. The beauty of having conversations allows for the doors of respect to be opened widely and allow unity to come in.

What about education? 

Yes, education can also be a significant part of the vaccine that kills racism. When people don’t know a topic, they tend to reject it or ignore it. So when there is no education on how racism affects the world, many are blind to how it hurts humanity. When we allow education to permeate, we allow understanding to take root.

Even when there are differences, the ability to understand those differences can bring about change and healing. Racism is a full-time existence; however, it doesn’t have to be. If we want to see change, we have to be the vaccine that humanity so badly needs. Then, and only then, can we put racism out of a job and hire in the world – compassion and empathy.