Working with white women, I help them find the source of their racism. This is done by discussing differences. I ask questions about how individuals discern difference (is it racial, physical, ideological?) how they feel about it, when they stated noticing it, when it matters and when it doesn't, who their friends are, and why they prefer friends who are the same or different from them. Then I ask how they would feel when confronted with specific kinds of difference. From this an individual woman can learn to understand how her experiences with difference have shaped her perceptions towards it. Once there is a recognition of where these biases come from, no matter how rational or irrational, they can be dealt with.

It is difficult for most white feminists to confront their racism. Perceiving themselves as "equality seekers" it is hard to see themselves as "inequality perpetrators." I always stress that, no matter what our colour is, we are all racists because society is inherently racist, and we must work together to unlearn racism. This may seem like a simple statement of fact but it is an important one. It prevents individuals from being overwhelmed by their own racism. It says that we must work together to challenge each other about our notions of race, class, and gender.

The second challenge to work in the women's community is convincing white women that there is not one feminism but many, and that the majority of white organizations only accommodate one or two. This is not to say that all women's groups are the same. Each tends to focus on a specific area (for example, reproductive choice, education, poverty, or violence), but almost all work towards helping women break down sexist barriers, eliminate their oppression and realize self-fulfillment.

While non-white women often do not have reproductive choice, opportunities for education and freedom from violence, their needs may not necessarily centre on doing away with patriarchy, fighting oppression, and gaining self-realization. They may be more interested in issues such as finding a place for themselves and their community in this society, fighting racism, and maintaining their ethnic and racial heritage. Many non-white women may not use the term "feminist" but in their own way are equality seekers. White feminists need to learn to respect this and understand why it is so.

To help white women's organizations learn more about non-white women I encouraged them to join coalitions with non-white women and to actively network with non-white women's organizations working in similar fields. Before this coalition building and networking begins I would talk with white women about how their racism may create barriers to dialogue. Once we decide on ways in which behavior can be changed and obstacles can be overcome, it is up to the white women to make contact and have conversations with non-white women.

Once white women gain an understanding of the issues that confront non-white women, they have to decide what to do with what they have learned: assist non-white women in their struggles, leave them to fight their own battles, or make white women's organizations more inclusive. I have always stressed that the white women's community could not attempt to speak on behalf of non-white women. It could invite non-white women to speak at its forums and rallies but attempting to speak for non-white women is a racist gesture.

The third challenge in working with the women's community is to keep going the process of unlearning racism. It is not enough for white women to recognize their own biases, talk to non-white women's groups, and declare themselves anti-racist. White women must be sensitive to the fact that just as they continue to face sexism and patriarchy everyday, non-white women face racism everyday. It will be a long, long time before either of these two forces are eradicated from society.

To continue being sensitive to non-white women's needs and issues, white women's groups must maintain regular dialogue with non-white women's organizations. Non-white women must be made to feel welcome in white women's organizations even if they do not choose to participate in them. White women must continue going outside of their community to let non-white women know that they have a place in the women's movement. They must take the time to do this even if it means focusing less on what seem to them to be more immediate issues.

As an anti-racist educator, it may appear that I demand a lot. But I make no apologies. The white women's community is the dominant women's community and as such has a responsibility to share its knowledge and power with the non-white women's community.