Voices: As an African American Latter-day Saint, here’s my advice to rooting out racism

Join me as I talk through some of my thoughts surrounding a new addition to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ website and in its Gospel Library app titled “Race and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

When articles surrounding race come up, for most of us African Americans in the church, there’s a visceral reaction. Our stomach turns with anticipation, hope and fear. “Will there be an acknowledgment of harm done? Will we be told to get over it, or will we be encouraged to speak up and root out racism?”

One of the questions was whether church leaders are racist. Gulp. Even if we struggle to identify a clear-cut “yes” or “no” answer within ourselves, we cannot lose our ability to recognize and call out racism in all of its forms. I personally believe that promoting slavery or restricting people from the blessings of the gospel based on the color of their skin is indeed racist. If we’re not able to recognize those types of behaviors as racist, then how will we recognize it and root it out today?

When we think of rooting out racism, it can be compared to a garden. That garden is our church, our culture, our families and how beautiful they are. But in every garden, there are weeds. It does not benefit our beautiful garden to overlook the weeds and only focus on that which is beautiful. In order to appreciate the beauty of the wonderful gardens that we work so hard to maintain and grow, we must identify the weeds. We must root them out in order for that which is beautiful to truly be appreciated. Identifying racism within oneself does not dismantle or dismiss all that is good within us. It does, however, give us the opportunity repent for behaviors we may not have been aware of.

I did notice that, in the church’s article, there is counsel on how to overcome the racism that one might experience, but it does not advise how to recognize one’s own racism and how to begin rooting it out. So, in that spirit, here is a question I would encourage all Latter-day Saints to ask themselves: “How do I root out racism?”

Before we begin that process — first recognize that our own racism requires honest self-reflection, a willingness to learn and an openness to change. Here are some steps to help with that process:

1. Examine your assumptions. Start to recognize automatic thoughts or judgments you make about people based on race. Ask yourself where these ideas come from and whether they are rooted in actual experiences with a person or if they’re rooted in stereotypes.

2. Listen to others’ experiences. Seek out stories from people of different racial backgrounds, especially those who have experienced discrimination. Their perspectives can help reveal biases you may not have noticed. Listen to learn, don’t listen to challenge.

3. Reflect on your privileges. I hope you’ll forgive me for using the “p” word. We all have different levels of privileges. Consider how your racial background may have shaped your opportunities, interactions and experiences. Often privilege is not the opportunities you have, but it’s the barriers that you don’t have.

4. Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to feel empathy or sympathy without taking on unnecessary and unwarranted shame or guilt.

5. Educate yourself. Read and listen. Learning from scholars, historians and activists can help shift perspectives. Thankfully, we have had activists in the church since the beginning of the restoration. Activists like Elijah Abel, apostle Orson Pratt, Jane Manning James and others have helped to push back against policies and belief systems rooted in racism.

6. Pay attention to defensive reactions. If you feel uncomfortable or defensive when discussing race, ask yourself why. Sometimes discomfort signals that there is something deeper to examine, like generational trauma. Generational trauma isn’t just about past events — it’s about how the pain, fear and survival strategies of previous generations affect the present.

7. Acknowledge unintentional harm. If someone points out something you said or did that was racially insensitive, resist the urge to dismiss or justify it. Instead, listen, reflect and learn from the experience. See that as an opportunity to root out something you may not have known was there.

8. Take responsibility and make changes. Recognizing racism within ourselves is not about shame; it’s about growth. Once you recognize biases, work actively to challenge and unlearn them.

9. Engage in conversations about race. This one can be difficult. Avoiding discussions about race can reinforce ignorance. Have open, humble conversations, and be willing to listen more than you speak.

10. Don’t stay silent. Look for ways to support racial justice in your community, workplace and personal life. Small actions, like amplifying marginalized voices or lovingly challenging racist behavior, do make a difference.

I absolutely love that the church acknowledged that overcoming racism is a long-term process, not a one-time realization. I would add that it’s a lifetime process. It’s a commitment to ourselves and to those around us that we will not be bystanders, but will continue to weed our garden and root out racism.

To those reading: I love you. We’ve got this. Together.

Mauli Junior Bonner is an award-winning filmmaker and a Grammy-winning songwriter. He recently turned his focus toward erecting monuments, including the Pioneers of 87 Monument at This Is the Place Heritage Park, commemorating black pioneers.

The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.