Essay On Racism
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Introduction
Racism is the belief that abilities or characteristics attributed to a group of people is superior to that of others (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). Despite the advancement in globalisation, racism has been used as a powerful tool that encourage hatred and discrimination. Racial discrimination and prejudice has been a touchy issue in the current millennium (Hall, 2008). The term race is a powerful concept, which has been invented by the society fostering inequality and discrimination as well as influencing and affecting the human relations. The concept of racism begins with a common belief that people belong into distinct groups called races. These groupings have distinct physical traits with skin colour being the most defining factor (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). Racism can, therefore, be described as a form of prejudice in which people pre-judge one another basing on their colour. The only way that racism can be fought is understanding the concept of universality in which there is only one race. This paper is analytical in nature as it tries to explain what entails racism and the impacts of the social ill to the society (Jackson & Weidman, 2004).
The main argument that revolves around the topic of racism is the assertion that one group of people is superior to the other (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). Inasmuch one race claims to be superior to another, there has not been empirical evidence supporting the assertion. The other arguments facing the racial issues is what creates this form of prejudice. The term racial inequality can be used to describe the result of racism (Hall, 2008). By framing the issue of racial inequality within the lens of racism it is possible to understand what causes this kind of discrimination (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). Racial groupings, for instance the Whites may argue that other people are racist but seclude themselves from the same scope. There is also a common belief that equal opportunities in life embodies fairness but they see themselves to live a life of advantage. The commitment of individualistic claims and egoism explain why people are racists (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). There is also a belief that due to their superiority they are at a free will of using economic, social and cultural capital for their own gains (Hall, 2008). To ameliorate this notion, one should believe in existence of one human race, which despite the differences each individual has equal opportunities. If racism is considered to be part and parcel of human nature, the society is faced with real challenge, but the good news is that racism is not ingrained in our nature (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). Racism exist as a form of human oppression. It stems from the idea that discrimination arise is as a result of one group of people being superior to another basing on inherited characteristics.
Racism remains to be pervasive and imminent in many societies around the world. The impacts of racism have manifested in the society and are eminent. Racial discrimination leads to different forms of oppression in the society (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). If the condition is not curbed, ethnic and racial rivalry will stretch the tentacles to the political, social and economic arena. Racism has influenced negatively in educational system where children from what is considered to be inferior are segregated against their colour (Hall, 2008). This arises from the fact that a multilingual and multicultural curricula is not entrenched in the national education policy.
In employment, racism has negative impact on hiring of workers. People of a distinct colour are either first to be hired or last. This downsizing and privatization may hurt people of a certain colour. This has led to a situation in which women and men of colour are underrepresented in employment areas. In public housing, racism segregated people who are considered to be inferior to deplorable housing states. Mortgages and other lending institutions have created the illegal practice of redlining (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). In the healthcare sector, racism has been entrenched due to inequality and accessibility to health facilities to people of colour. In the same measure, many healthcare facilities continue to be located in areas of low-income neighbourhoods where people of colour are thought to reside (Hall, 2008). Racism has negatively influenced in public welfare where people who are considered to be inferior have been downsized to menial and unskilled jobs. Social services have also been influenced by racism a situation in which there is inadequate provision of social amenities to people who are considered to be inferior. In politics, people who are considered to be inferior are underrepresented in both elective and appointive positions (Hall, 2008).
At a community level, racism has been entrenched in social delivery systems. People of colour are normally segregated in the many aspects. This is mainly reflective of what is happening at national or global stance. The situation is complicated since at the community level, racism finds much significance (Hall, 2008). Racism has made many people at the community level to be left out in decision making process. The social ill has locked out opportunities for many people to access better education and other social amenities. The bad precedence arising from this is low self-esteem of the persons segregated (Jackson & Weidman, 2004).
Many organizations have come out strongly to object the discourse of racism. The civil rights groups have been pro-active in this campaign. Religious groups have not been left out as they spread the gospel of oneness (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). Other quarters of the society, such as the media have become vocal on the issue by outlining the negative effects of racism. Most of the anti-racist organization have been involved in sensitizing and education the masses on the negative impacts of racism (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). Government institutions have not been left out in the same positive course with anti-racist campaign taking the central role of their agenda.
Racism can only be dealt with at the individual level. The personal initiative involves first accepting the existence of human diversity (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). This has helped me to accept and tolerate people of different races. On the flip-side the positive attributes of this attributes can be put into practice. The other personal initiative is objecting any racial prejudices that are being practiced within may scope (Hall, 2008). By discouraging these acts, people within my societies have learnt to show love and appreciation to one another. Despite these personal initiatives, challenges have been imminent.
Racial and ethnic discrimination has permeated the society in many aspects. The difficulty in dealing with racism has been objectified by individuals through acceptance of racism as a norm (Jackson & Weidman, 2004). Organized discrimination has been entrenched in the society and become institutionalized through social mores, myths and values. The other challenge faced is ignorance from the people practicing racism. Racism has also been politicized and projected by many through social constructs (Hall, 2008). The only solution to these challenges is depoliticizing racial and social differences and to deconstruct the racial classes. Ignorance can be dealt with by education people the negative effects of racism (Jackson & Weidman, 2004).
References
Hall, R. (2008). Racism in the 21st Century: An Empirical Analysis of Skin Color. New York: Springer.
Jackson, J., & Weidman, N. (2004). Race, Racism, and Science: Social Impact and Interaction. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.