Racism and prejudice is SO deeply rooted in our culture, our country, and for many of us, our hearts.

It can be so hard for some people to admit that they have any sort of bias or belief that is rooted in or was influenced by racism. So here are just a few questions to ask yourself, to see if there is even a hint of racism that has infiltrated your worldview or mind or heart at any time.

Have you ever felt a quick wave of nervousness when passing a black person on the sidewalk?
Have you ever locked your car doors when sitting at a red light and there’s a homeless person on the corner?
Have you ever dressed up on Halloween as an “Indian”? Worn a sombrero and a poncho and a stick on mustache to pretend to be Mexican? Just straight up worn blackface?
Have you ever purposely not driven through a low-income area because you found it to be “sketchy” or scary or uncomfortable?
Have you ever made a joke about watermelon and fried chicken? Or how black kids don’t have dads? Or how you’re surprised a black guy isn’t in jail yet? Or a joke about Asian ladies doing nails? Or a joke about Mexicans having to cross the river?
Have you ever felt uncomfortable seeing someone in a turban? Or a hijab? Or a burka?
Have you ever asked “dot or feather?” Told someone they don’t “sound black”? Argued, “well, it’s not like I’M the one who owned slaves!” Been cut off by a driver and scoffed and said, “of course she’s Asian!”?
Have you ever been frustrated or angry or confused when a Spanish commercial comes on? When you hear people speaking Spanish in the classroom? When someone is speaking Spanish at the grocery store?
Have you ever celebrated Columbus Day? Were you taught that he is a hero?
Have you ever found yourself to be unattracted to an entire race of people? Or on the flip side, have you ever fetishized a specific race?
Have you ever used a racial slur? Including, but not limited to the n-word, redskin, white trash, oreo, Jap? Have you ever said you were “gypped”? Have you ever said “[n-word] rigged”? Called someone the r-word? Said something was “ghetto”? Called someone “an illegal”?

This list of questions is by NO means exhaustive. But it may give you a glimpse into the many micro-aggressions that have been normalized in our culture and that keep people of color (and women, and differently-abled, and the neuro-diverse, etc) marginalized and discriminated against.

If you’re guilty of any of this (as I am!!!), a proper response would be to acknowledge it. To educate yourself. To apologize when necessary. To monitor your language. To do better.

It is a good and healthy thing to admit that you were wrong before (even if you were wrong without even knowing it!) and to vow to do better.