Racism is the prejudice, discrimination,
or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief
that one’s own race is superior. It is the belief that all members of each race
possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race,
especially to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
Racism may be defined
as the hatred of one person by another — or the belief that another person is
less than human — because of skin color, language, customs, place of birth or
any factor that supposedly reveals the basic nature of that person. Anything
that might be used to discriminate against a group or an individual that is not
under one’s own control falls in the domain of racism. Ethnicity, race,
religion, region and language are some of the few factors that people use to
discriminate against other people. It has influenced wars, slavery, the formation of
nations, and legal codes.
A person that believes in the idea of
racism, that humans are somehow divided into exclusive biological entities and can be
termed inferior or superior to each other on the basis of certain biological traits,
are leaches that are depriving our societies of countless extraordinary and brilliant
individuals. People are termed incapable or unqualified for something just because of their
race despite after decades and decades of research, science has been
unable to provide a single concrete proof that supports these claims. Racism has existed
throughout human history. From the abuse of Native Indians, “The Redskins”, to
the horrifying atrocities suffered by the African Americans, “The Blacks” or
“The Negroes”, at the hands of the self-proclaimed superior race, are all part
of the history of this vile and abusive belief. All of these victimized groups
had no other fault than to not share a skin color with other people. Racism has
been employed as powerful weapons repeatedly, for encouraging fear and hatred
in others in times of conflict
and war, and even during economic downturns.
Racism causes harm to those who are on the
receiving end. It hurts individuals, communities and our society. People are
not born with racist ideas or attitudes; rather racism is something that is
learned. People often associate racism with acts of abuse or harassment.
However, it does not need to involve violent or intimidating behavior.
Racism can be
revealed through people’s actions as well as their attitudes. It includes all
the barriers that prevent people from enjoying dignity and equality because of their
race. Racism has existed in all areas and at all times where different races or
cultures of humans have encountered each other. Research indicates that the places
where racism is exercised often include the local neighborhoods, shops, and in the
workplaces. It can emerge in other spaces such as on public transport, sporting
events or at schools. Expressions of racism can also be found in media. This
happens when, for example, racial groups are represented in an unfair or
negative light in news reports or commentary. Many regard the lack of cultural
diversity represented in media as another form of racism.
In recent years,
racism has even translated to a problem online. Whether it is offensive
comments on social media, inflammatory
memes or hateful videos, cyber-racism has had a significant impact on the
growth of racist attitudes in different ethnic groups. Those spreading such
racist impulses often do so under the comfortable veil of anonymity. It is an
unfortunate legacy of ancient days that humans are still inclined to judge
groups by surface appearances. Therefore, it must be abated and minimized at
all costs, as soon as possible, lest it halt our development even further.
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