1. First and foremost, make it known that you do not and will not stand for racism.
2. Ask “What makes you say that?” or “Why are you saying that?”
3. Voice what interests/excites you about the other culture.
4. Reverse the role: “What if we were in a foreign country?”
5. If someone tells a racist joke and then tries to cover it up by saying “I was joking,” have the person explain the joke and then explain why said joke was racist or discriminatory and not funny.
6. State that you yourself are Indigenous/Black/a person of colour (if you are).
7. “Stop! Please don’t talk like that.” Follow with an explanation based on knowledge and research.
• CHECK THE 5 PATHOGENS WITHIN OURSELVES: assumptions, presumptions, profiling, stereotyping, and bias (for our interest and against others)
• KEEP CALM (control your emotions)
• Remember that they too are a soul navigating this world in a human body.(i.e., a spiritual being having a human experience)
• Practice patience, compassion, and respect.