A.C.T. N.O.W.
Anti-Racism Centered Theories: No Oppression Worldwide
"A.C.T.N.O.W. is an innovative educational platform aiming to redefine and enrich the narrative of World History by being inclusive of the perspectives within Black History and African Studies.”
Dr. Meloney Jordan, President and Director
Anti-racism Definitions
Anti-racism as defined is an active and organized effort to challenge and dismantle systems of racial oppression, which have historically been justified by economic, political, and cultural interests.
Anti-racism, in context, is not merely a personal stance against racial prejudice but an inattentional act of the social collective, promoting sustained movement that seeks to end racial hierarchies embedded in institutions and laws.
The renown scholar and historian, Herbert Aptheker, in Anti-Racism in U.S. History: The First Two Hundred Years (1992), examines the historical development of anti-racism, focusing American race related societal practices and customs from the 17th century unto the 19th century.
Aptheker argues that anti-racism throughout U.S. history often interconnected with other struggles for progress, particularly those relating to class, socio-economic, and abolitionism movements. He illuminates the understanding that anti-racist efforts require both ideological shifts and practical activism, such as protests, advocacy for civil rights legislation, and organized resistance against slavery, segregation, and racial violence.
Aptheker’s framing of anti-racism is a historical and political practice that demands active opposition to the structures that perpetuate racial inequality, involving both individual and collective actions aimed at creating a racially just society. The Black Sanctuary Inc. within its A.C.T.N.O.W. initiative seeks to actively educate people and members of organizations on an anti-racism framework so that the equitable and racial just society he articulated is realized.
Aptheker, H. (1992). Anti-racism in U.S. history: The first two hundred years. Praeger.
Race Specific Anti-racism:
Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism: Anti-racism in the context of anti-Black racism is defined as the active resistance against structures and ideologies that uphold anti-Black oppression. It involves confronting the legacy of slavery, segregation, and systemic exclusion that continues to affect Black individuals and communities. Anti-racism here challenges white supremacy and the normalization of racial hierarchies, advocating for policies and practices that promote equity and dismantle institutionalized racism.
Kendi, I. X. (2019). How to be an Antiracist. One World.
Anti-African Racism and Anti-Racism: Anti-racism in the context of anti-African racism highlights the global and colonial dimensions of racism against Africans, including the devaluation of African identities and cultures. It seeks to deconstruct Eurocentric views that marginalize African histories and contributions while confronting the contemporary impacts of colonialism and global power dynamics. Anti-racism here promotes the recognition of African agency and the redressing of historical wrongs through policies that encourage reparations and cultural affirmation.
Mbembe, A. (2017). Critique of Black reason (L. Dubois, Trans.). Duke University Press. (Original work published 2013)
Anti-Asian Racism and Anti-Racism: Anti-racism in response to anti-Asian racism focuses on dismantling stereotypes, xenophobia, and racially motivated violence that target Asian communities. The framework calls for active resistance to both historical exclusionary policies and contemporary hate crimes, especially those linked to global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It emphasizes solidarity across racial groups and advocates for policy changes that protect Asian Americans from racial scapegoating and discrimination.
Kim, C. J. (1999). The racial triangulation of Asian Americans. Politics & Society, 27(1), 105–138. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032329299027001005
Anti-Latino(a) Racism and Anti-Racism: In relation to anti-Latino(a) racism, anti-racism is defined as opposing the racialization and marginalization of Latino communities, particularly through immigration policies and socio-economic exclusion. It calls for addressing systemic issues such as xenophobia, labor exploitation, and the criminalization of Latinos, with a focus on dismantling stereotypes and reforming laws that dehumanize and other Latino populations.
Chavez, L. R. (2013). The Latino threat: Constructing immigrants, citizens, and the nation (2nd ed.). Stanford University Press.
The agenda of A.C.T. N.O.W. is to create a world in which oppression is no longer a viable approach to human interaction.
This platform will produce books, textbooks, podcasts, docu-series, expos, music, and apparel, each element harmonizing to bring forth the overlooked aspects of Black contributions to human civilization.