Machalicek et al. (in press) Sustaining Personal Activism: Behavior Analysts as Anti-Racist Accomplices

Abstract

One pervasive social issue that has received little attention within the behavior analytic community is racism and the systemic oppression of Black, Indigenous, and non-Black People of Color (BIPOC). The present paper offers guidance and examples of how each of us as behavior analysts might build individualized self-management behavior change plans that support initiation and sustained socially significant anti-racism work as we move from allies to accomplices within our own sphere of influence. This paper introduces the concept of self-managed anti-racism behavior change plans that (a) operationally define anti-racist action, use measurable outcomes and strategies for data collection on specific anti-racist and support actions; (b) provide choices to improve engagement and reduce barriers to adherence; and (c) use effective behavioral interventions to alter the availability of discriminative stimuli or reduce their influence, and increase the availability of reinforcers that are compatible with the goal of the behavior change plan for increasing anti-racism behavior and dismantling structures perpetuating racial inequities.