Racism is described as prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership to a particular racial group.
“Racism can be about political, economic, or legal institutions and systems that engage in or perpetuate discrimination on the basis of race,” said Halliday. “Racism is a global phenomenon with contextual manifestations.”
This is reality that was affirmed by the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in 2001, she noted. “I would note that there are many different types of racism: we could name racism broadly; or more specifically: anti-Indigenous racism, or anti-Asian racism, or casteism. They are all rooted in oppression and injustices,” she said. “They are all different forms of racism targeting different and diverse racial groups.”
Certainly, Halliday noted, in the North American context, anti-Black racism exists in all institutions—including our churches. “Yes, our churches are among the places that perpetuate anti-Black racism,” she said. “Anti-Black racism denies power, resources, and opportunities to Black peoples.”
She added that experiences of enslavement and colonization are particularly relevant for this conversation.
“I will also name that anti-Black racism as systemic: that is, there are particular patterns in society that disproportionately and negatively affect Black peoples globally,” she said. “It is disproportionate, that is, it affects a much higher number of Black peoples, as a group.”
Racism is still very real and still systemic, she said. “It is explicit and implicit, it is always rooted in power imbalances.”
“Shared anti-racist vision emerges from Berlin Conference”, (WCC feature story, 2 June 2025)
Read the “Communique” of the Berlin conference
Photo gallery of the “Berlin 2025” conference
“Reclaiming the anti-racist vision: Konrad Raiser opens WCC conference in Berlin”, (WCC feature, 19 May 2025)
Live discussions 1
Live discussions 3
Learn more about the WCC work on overcoming Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia
WCC offers new anti-racist and anti-bias material for churches and communities
