Emotional Responses to White Supremacism

When confronted with overt acts of white supremacism, whether face to face, on TV news, or on social media, a common reaction is the expression, “So sad.” This phrase reflects an emotional response, suggesting that people recognize the injustice and feel some degree of empathy. However, this acknowledgment is often passive, with the emotional reaction stopping short of deeper engagement or meaningful involvement.

The Difference Between Feeling and Action

Genuine transformation only occurs when emotional responses inspire individuals to take action, whether spontaneously or through deliberate planning. If empathy remains unaccompanied by action, it fails to produce real change, leaving harmful systems unchallenged. The shift from feeling to doing is essential for progress and for confronting oppressive structures.

The Pitfall of Moral Self-Affirmation

For many, merely experiencing discomfort or expressing anger serves as proof of their own moral standing. This self-assurance can actually become a barrier, preventing further steps toward change. Instead of participating or intervening, individuals may fall into patterns of vocal condemnation—such as shouting at the television from the comfort of their homes—while their sense of righteousness stays intact and unexamined.

Yelling at the TV from the comfort of my couch may temporarily relieve anxiety, and cursing “The System” is a way of asserting, “I’m on the good side.” Yet these actions do not contribute to meaningful change.

Empathy is an important starting point, but on its own, it does not dismantle damaging structures or promote accountability. Remaining a passive observer can unintentionally sustain the status quo, allowing white supremacist beliefs to continue without challenge. To foster authentic social change, it is necessary to move beyond emotional reactions and commit to concrete actions.

It's even easier to be a couch yeller when one benefits from the status quo. To actually do something, get one’s hands dirty for justice, that’s risky. Stepping out of comfort and confronting systems from which one has gained—directly or indirectly—requires vulnerability and a willingness to disrupt one’s own sense of security. The real challenge lies in moving past the ease of verbal outrage and into the discomfort of solidarity, allyship, and action. This means not only acknowledging complicity but also choosing to leverage privilege in ways that may invite criticism, uncertainty, or loss. Genuine commitment to justice emerges when individuals are willing to risk convenience for the sake of equity, trading passive outrage for meaningful, sometimes uncomfortable, participation in dismantling oppressive structures.

As followers of Jesus, we strive to make deposits of love—in our families, our communities, and in the world. Love demands risk and even suffering. Jesus taught us that we must love even our enemies (MT 5:43-44 and LK 6:27-28). Following Jesus can bring division within families (MT 10:38). But speaking up, and when necessary, acting up for what is right, just, and moral are ways to walk in the steps of the one we claim to follow.

Blasting on social media may fuel some motivation among your readers. Writing to local, state, and national officeholders would be even more effective, especially when it’s organized.

When you encounter blatant racism, don't just respond with "So sad"—choose empathy and take meaningful action beyond self-righteousness. 

Here’s a list of grassroots and community-based organizations (primarily in the U.S.) that actively work for racial justice and against white supremacy, including systemic racism and related inequities. Many of these groups engage in community organizing, education, direct action, policy advocacy, and coalition-building:

National & Multi-State Grassroots Organizations

1. Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) – Mobilizes white people and communities to take action against racism and join broader movements for justice. (SURJ)

2. Color Of Change – One of the largest online racial justice organizations, focused on policy change, corporate accountability, and grassroots power. (Color Of Change)

3. Race Forward – Works with community advocates to build grassroots power and push transformative racial justice reforms. (Race Forward)

4. Undoing Racism Community Trainings / People’s Institute – National collective focused on anti-racist community organizing and training. (Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity)

5. The Justice Committee (JC) – Grassroots group in New York organizing against police violence and systemic racism. (Pratt Library Guides)

6. Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100) – Youth-led grassroots organization for Black liberation and community organizing. (Wikipedia)

7. Millennial Activists United (MAU) – Ferguson-based grassroots group working to end racism and police violence. (Wikipedia)

8. Black Radical Congress – Grassroots network advocating for broad social and racial justice and economic equity. (Wikipedia)

9. Community Coalition (CoCo) – South Los Angeles-based community group uniting residents to dismantle systemic racism and inequity. (Coco South LA)

10. Community Change, Inc. – Longstanding organization educating and organizing for racial justice and anti-racism, particularly focused on white people’s role. (Community Change Inc.)

11. Poor People’s Campaign – Interfaith grassroots movement addressing systemic racism, poverty, and inequality (often with local chapters nationally). (Yale Library Guides)

Broad Civil Rights & Racial Justice Organizations (Grassroots Elements)

These groups combine grassroots organizing with advocacy and legal strategies against systemic racism (which undergirds white supremacy):

1. NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) – Historic civil rights group with local branches working on racial justice. (NAACP)

2. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – Racial Justice Work – Legal and policy advocacy to dismantle systemic racial discrimination. (American Civil Liberties Union)

3. National Urban League – Grassroots and community programs focused on economic and racial justice. (Impactful Ninja)

4. United We Dream – Youth-led immigrant justice organization combating racism and exclusionary policies (often rooted in racial inequity). (Impactful Ninja)

5. Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Grassroots legal and community advocacy organization for Asian American equity. (Impactful Ninja)

Community & Intersectional Initiatives

1. Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Partners – Network of community groups working to heal from and transform racism’s impacts. (Heal Our Communities)

How to Use This List

• Get involved locally: Many of these have local chapters or affiliates where you can volunteer, organize, or participate in events.

• Support financially: Grassroots groups often rely on donations to sustain community training, organizing, and direct action.

• Educate & advocate: You can join campaigns, demand policy reforms, and help educate others in your networks about systemic racism and white supremacy.

Now let’s go make good trouble.

Drew