Campus services you may not know about (that are included in your tuition)
Reading Time: 8 minutes Need help navigating college life? Your college has on-campus support for just about everything you need to succeed and thrive.
Reading Time: 8 minutes Need help navigating college life? Your college has on-campus support for just about everything you need to succeed and thrive.
Reading Time: 5 minutes Find an inclusive community, mentorship programs, and even financial support at the campus diversity office.
Itâs not easy being in a community that you feel has hatred toward others because of their race. Itâs stressful to hear negative comments or see discrimination and feel like there isnât much you can do to stop it. Racism is also bad for your health. Research has shown that the everyday stress of racism can harm your mental and physical health, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
You might find you become filled with hate toward those who are racist. But donât match hate with hate; meet it with heart.
Heart is reminding yourself that those peopleâs beliefs and actions arenât based in reality. Racism and other forms of hatred often come from lack of information and understanding about others. Theyâve been taught something thatâs untrue. Over time, with exposure to new ideas or to people from other groups, itâs possible that they can gain more acceptance. Heart is understanding that thereâs a better way to live, and even things as horrible as racism can be overcome.
If you do plan to talk to people about their actions or beliefs surrounding racism, here are some tips:
Donât try to argue and lash out; that probably wonât end well. Remember: Hate will lead to hate. Help them relearn a better way.
As for yourself, another way to deal with racism is to become a person of positive change. For example, join an organization in your community or an online organization that works toward unity, or start your own. This way, youâre around like-minded people of other races who can support you.
You can also educate yourself about what racism is, learn the history of efforts to overcome racism, and look up resources to help address racial equity. A great place to start is the Racial Equality Resource Guide, which offers tool kits, a list of organizations across the country, and other resources to help you in your effort to effect change.
When youâve confronted something that has you seething and you need to calm down now, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, exercise, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.
If you feel physically in danger, consider leaving the community. Sometimes the best efforts to make a change take time and distance. If youâre still living at home or arenât financially able to leave just yet, you can still make a plan. Start to identify the places that you can live or spend time in where diversity is valued.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]