Black-white handshake
“Irrespective of its sources, racism is racism. Ignorance is no excuse. Insecurity is not justification…racism in all its forms should be uncompromisingly condemned.”
When the word “racism” is mentioned what comes to mind? To most people racism is when one believes that his/her genetically physical characteristics are better than the characteristics of another race. But what does not comes to mind is racism did and can lead to the elimination of another race ,division of a nation and the enslavement of another race , as what took place in history. In this modern time where there are laws against discrimination of any sort and words like “we are created equally” are said almost everywhere, one will think racism does not exist and it is part of history. But racism is still around because the causes of racism still exist.
I can never comprehend why people think something as permanent as race can make us better than another person? Well, by now you must think what kind of a person I am? I am never able to understand anything!! Anyways, I have been brought up in an environment where I was taught none shades matter. Personalities do.
Racism has its roots in the belief that some people are superior because they belong to a particular race, ethnic or national group. The concept of race is a social construct, not a scientific one. In simple terms, racism is utterly ugly. It divides us, based on where we come from or the color of our skin. You know what is scary? It happens when people feel it is okay to treat others badly as they go on about their daily lives.
“Why is racism a thing anymore? Haven’t we passed that in 2016?” – Ananya, 15
it’s a question that people ask all the time. If we’re all part of the human race, why are people racist? After all, there are no biological differences between people. No race is superior or inferior to another. We’re all the same.
There are many reasons why people can have racist attitudes. Some people answered this question.- “We take on the views of people around us. We only hang around with people “like us”. “We’re quick to judge.” We blame others for our problems. When we feel angry or frustrated, we often look for someone else to blame for our problems. As a community, we can do the same thing. People who look or talk differently to us are an easy target. You can hear it happening today in comments like, “those people take our jobs” or “they get government handouts all the time”.
Nearly all the time, these statements are wrong. There are no valid reasons or excuses for racism. It is never okay. Another person recently shared “Just being born Indigenous makes you feel second class. If I wasn’t hearing bad things about myself, I wouldn’t think “oh, I’m a bad person, I can’t do this, and I am not going to do it. Whereas if no one said anything bad about me, I would push myself harder into doing things and knowing that I can do it, no matter what happens I will do it … but I just can’t.”
It shattered my heart. We can’t just blame everything on “human behavior” or “lack of education.” Some things can be really destructive for lifetime. Racism can cause a lot of damage to both individuals and communities.
What can we do about it? We’ve all been there. We see or hear something racist and we want to say or do something but we’re not sure how to go about it. It takes guts to stand up to racism – but you should never put your physical safety at risk. There are plenty of things we can do to make a difference that don’t involve confrontation. If you’re on the receiving end of racism, you could…Say something if it feels okay to do so. It doesn’t have to be aggressive or abusive. In fact, it’s often more effective if it’s not. Here are some ideas suggested by young people. — “What you just said is really offensive and rude.”
-“Please, have some respect for yourself and for others.”
-Say nothing. Sometimes people just want to provoke you and get a reaction. Walking away may defuse the situation.
-Report it. Call the police if you feel threatened or unsafe at any time.
Online: Most social media sites have policies for dealing with offensive material. For example Facebook allows you to report content that breaches its terms of use.
If you see racism towards someone else…Back them up. You don’t have to get involved in the situation – just showing your support would make a difference. Encourage them to get support.
As humankind progresses, our way of thinking becomes more complex, as does the world around us. The values we once had aren’t forgotten, but replaced with new values as our old ways hide in the back of our minds. Though they are present and may re-emerge if a change in life conditions calls them up, they are no longer the dominant. This genuinely is the hope for mankind in their fight to end racism. In the future, if we can surmount the silliness of racism to the point where no one senses it, we will be in fine condition.
You are no ordinary, no matter what shade are you. You are great.
Thanks for this. I begin one of my classes with a video called “Race: The Power of an Illusion.” It shows how race is a social construct and how it was used in America to oppress so-called black people. Your advice is good and I hope it helps.
I myself feel quite strongly about the issue. It enlivens me to know that you begin one of your classes with such a revealing and heartwarming video. I am going to try and watch it too and grasp as much i can. Little things like enlightening videos can help stimulate our brain at times and can lead to change of hearts. Thank you. I wish you the best. 🙂
Yes! It has to stop, or lets not allow it to pass our hold. Killed it!
Those who are hungry will never thing or talk of Racism, I have not seen any blood banks which separate blood based on whatever division created by we human!
Because those don’t have any religious or racist labels. It has become a global phenomenon now. I read about Indians getting killed based on their race and color in foreign land. We as people suffer from The Optimism Bias; “It won’t happen to me” but it does and will. If one thing persistently takes place at one corner of the world, it is bound to happen at many other places too. Earth is geoid shaped. When we ourselves stop participating in such things, it gradually stops. Thank you Josh.
I’ve often wondered why we are so different in shape,colour.I believe that our geography shapes us sublimely. It’s been recorded & observed with animals in the wild.
We as a species all came from the same location,the Great Rift Valley in Africa. I make the assumption that we all were of the same skin colour at this time.Migration from the valley over the course of time seems like a natural course they would of taken.As humans moved out from this original location,many settled into certain areas.These geographic areas slowly began to alter the genes of our common ancestors. To such an extent that individual cultures became unique onto themselves.
Over many thousands of years these human settlements stayed isolated from each other & so evolved uniquely.
With the advent of travel (sailing at first) many of these isolated cultures were contacted by people who looked very different.
With even more travel happening these days (boat & planes) people are mixing their genes through marriage & as a result altering themselves.
Eventually over thousands of years of inter marrying I suspect our skin colour will become more uniform. So eventually, we’ll all look the same in the distant future.
It’s interesting to view this process from a distance………we all started out from the same place looking the same,moved away from each other to became diverse & unique,and now are coming together to become the same once again.
Nature does move in mysterious ways.
So racism “may” be based in our genes.If you look different,you are not the same & so to be regarded as dangerous.
Take for instance a Crow born white.It will be pecked to death because the other Crows see the difference & want to stop this genetic trait.These genetic flaws have repeated with many animals over thousands of years with the same result of either death or expulsion.Many animals are simply chased away to fend for themselves. The herd mentality wants everyone to be the same with anything being different to be regarded as dangerous!
So I submit to you that our ancestral genes “may” be the breeding ground for racism?…….but in a hundred thousand years,this all may be simply academic because we’ll look very similar.
Just a thought on the matter.
And that’s exactly how our nature has progressed and shaped us into the way we are. That is a perfect thought. Thank you? Thank you for reading my crazy write-ups attentively and leaving feedback each time. I agree to all the points you have addressed here. I certainly hope valiantly, this may all simply become an academic research topic in future. Thank you, Tofino.
Your welcome Lovey,another perspective eh.We each are like snow flakes…….no two are the same.
I truly agree. I appreciate how you believe in “live and let live.” 🙂
after all…..it is “Wayne’s World”!
Lovey, I don’t want to Spam your blog, but this is important…
My name is C. Erskine Brown, and I would like to share the most horrifying story you will ever read about modern day racism.
Consistently garnering five stars, A Cry Among Men – The Novel, is being touted as one of the “Best reads of 2016,”… “brilliantly written fiction adroitly framed around the events of today.”
Since its debut, A Cry Among Men has captivated and deeply impacted readers. As a passionate, deep thinker on the subject of racism, I strongly encourage you to read it. Our country must raise the level of discourse on a problem that so many are wide-eyed and vocal about while others have chosen to turn a blind eye.
Thank you,
CB
http://www.amazon.com/author/cerskinebrown
I share your thoughts. Thank you for stopping by and introducing me to this masterpiece. It sounds captivating and gruesome. I intend to absorb more about the subject only to raise awareness about the same. Thank you, Mr. Brown