Philosophy & Visions

If racism and prejudices can be learned, they can also be unlearned.

The desire to cultivate good local solutions built on rights and structures is the foundation for the services offered. I believe that to adress the issues we need to put in-place rights-based structures, not leaning on values, as they are vulnerable to individual prejudices and competence.
At the same time it solutions need to be based locally, it must be anchored with the people impacted by it, and the local issues. If parts of the organization that are supposed to work for an inclusive diversity lack ownership of the effort, it will stall at that level.

The origins of racism point toward the solution.

Modern racism, stemming from the transatlantic slave trade and colonization, was norm-setting and, by its nature, provided the basis for people's privileges, rights, and the lack thereof. Attitudes followed the norms, not the other way around. Similarly, racism and ethnic discrimination should be fought with norms—rules about rights, responsibilities, and sanctions to change attitudes and structures. 

At first glance, this may seem strict; should attitudes be sanctioned? The answer is, of course, no; actions should be sanctioned. Just as we have a unanimous agreement under the smoke-free law that everyone has the right to a smoke-free indoor environment—not just those with lung diseases—we must create a consensus through structures and regulations that prevent racism and discrimination, ensuring that everyone has the right to a racism-free environment. It should come at a cost to engage in racism and be rewarding not to do so.

For most people who had their first outings to cafes or pubs in the 1990s, it was unthinkable that smoking would be banned there. Now, 20 years later, the opposite would be inconceivable. 
 In the same way, clear structures and mechanisms to combat racist and discriminatory actions can foster a stronger stance against racism.

Unlike passive smoking, which can be measured through health statistics, the effects of racism and discrimination rarely manifest on a national level; instead, they have local repercussions and must be addressed locally.

Therefore, there is a need for locally anchored structures against racism and ethnic discrimination to promote inclusive diversity.