RACISM
A CRISIS OF EMPATHY
Introduction
Racism is a real issue that impacts millions of people every single day. It's
more than just personal bias; it's a system that treats people unfairly
because of their race, leading to inequality, discrimination, and even
violence. In this project, we’ll take a look at how racism has shaped
history, how it continues to affect people today, and, most importantly,
how we can all play a role in fighting it.
The focus here is on understanding the experiences of those who deal with
racism and why it’s so important to empathize with them. We’ll talk about
not just the problem, but also the ways we can make a difference—whether
through small actions or larger changes—to create a more inclusive world
for everyone. It’s about working together to build a future where racism
doesn’t have a place.
What is Racism?
1. Definition: Racism is the belief that one race is
superior to another, often leading to discrimination and
prejudice against people based on their race or
ethnicity. It manifests in many forms: from overt acts of
violence and hate to more subtle microaggressions in
daily interactions.
2. Historical Context: Racism has existed for
centuries. From the transatlantic slave trade to
apartheid in South Africa, and the Civil Rights
Movement in the U.S., racism has shaped societies and
continues to have lasting impacts today.
The Emotional and Human Impact of
Racism
• Storytelling Approach: In this section, we focus
on real-life stories to humanize the impact of racism.
Here's a personal narrative that could be included in
the project.
Lilly, a vibrant and charismatic 17-year-old, radiated positivity wherever
she went. With a natural knack for connecting with people, she poured her
heart into creating captivating content for social media, dreaming of one
day becoming a top influencer. Lilly was a stunning, tall, and graceful
young woman with rich, dark skin that glowed with vitality. Her luscious
black hair cascaded effortlessly, framing her face in soft waves. With a
blend of natural beauty, incredible talent, and an unrelenting work ethic,
she captivated everyone around her. She uploaded photos and videos of
her using different skincare brands and their products.As Lilly's audience
grew, so did the spotlight—unfortunately, bringing with it a wave of
negativity. The comment sections of her videos became flooded with cruel,
hateful, and racially charged remarks targeting her appearance and skin
tone. What started as a celebration of her success quickly turned into a
battleground of online hate. The constant barrage of hateful comments
soon began to take its toll on Lilly. The once confident young woman, who
proudly carried herself with her head held high, now found herself
shrinking under the weight of self-doubt. The racist remarks seeped into
her mind, eroding her sense of worth. She stopped posting, no longer able
to see the beauty in herself that others once admired. The pressure of
society’s obsession with light skin weighed heavily on her, leaving her
feeling isolated and disillusioned. As whispers of judgment began to
circulate at school, Lilly withdrew even further, eventually stepping away
from social media altogether. The spark that once fueled her passion was
dimmed, and she gave in to the hurtful narrative society had imposed on
her.
The Different Forms of Racism
• Individual Racism: This refers to the beliefs or actions of
individuals who hold prejudiced views or engage in
discriminatory practices.
• Example: A teacher giving fewer opportunities to students of
a specific race.
• Institutional Racism: When racial prejudice is built into the
policies and practices of institutions (schools, workplaces,
the legal system).
Example: Historical segregation in schools or racial
disparities in sentencing in the criminal justice system.
• Cultural Racism: When one culture is seen as superior, and
other cultures are devalued or misrepresented.
• Example: The underrepresentation of people of color in
mainstream media or the misrepresentation of cultural
traditions in textbooks.
Racism against black people on
social media
Racist remarks against Black people on social media have
become a significant issue in recent years. Social media
platforms, while offering a space for free expression and
connection, have also facilitated the spread of harmful
content, including racial hatred, discrimination, and
stereotypes.
Here’s a brief overview of how this manifests
Types of Racist Remarks
• Hate Speech and Slurs: Racist slurs, derogatory terms, and
offensive language targeting Black people are prevalent on social
media. These comments are often used to dehumanize or belittle
individuals based on their race.
• Racial Stereotyping: Posts or comments that perpetuate
negative stereotypes about Black people, such as assumptions about
criminality, intelligence, or behavior, are widespread. These harmful
stereotypes fuel prejudice and discrimination.
• Cyberbullying and Harassment: Black individuals,
especially public figures and activists, often face online harassment
in the form of racist comments, threats, and personal attacks. This
includes targeted hate campaigns against Black celebrities,
influencers, or activists speaking out against injustice.
• "Blackface" and Offensive Memes: Memes or photos
mocking Black culture or people, such as the use of
"blackface" or other culturally insensitive depictions, are
commonly circulated online.
The Role of Social Media Platforms
• Platforms’ Responsibility: Social media platforms, including
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, have been criticized for their
handling of racist content. Despite policies aimed at removing hate
speech, these platforms often fail to take consistent action, allowing
harmful content to remain visible.
• Moderation and Censorship: Platforms have introduced more
robust content moderation practices in response to public outcry, but the
effectiveness of these measures is debated. Critics argue that algorithms
and automated systems may not adequately catch all racist content, while
others argue that censorship could stifle free speech.
Racist remarks against Black people on social media contribute to a larger
culture of racial hatred and division. While social media can be a platform
for advocacy and community-building, it also amplifies harmful racist
rhetoric. Addressing this issue requires more effective moderation,
accountability for those spreading hate, and continued efforts to educate
and promote understanding.
Black Lives Matter
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has emerged as a powerful and
essential force in the fight against systemic racism, inequality, and police
brutality. Founded in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi,
BLM seeks to address the injustices faced by Black individuals, particularly in
the United States, while advocating for the recognition and protection of Black
lives. The movement gained widespread attention after the tragic deaths of
unarmed Black people, such as Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and George
Floyd, sparking global protests and discussions about racial discrimination.
Black Lives Matter is not just a call for justice in individual instances of police
violence but a broader challenge to the entrenched systems of racism and
oppression that persist in society. It emphasizes the importance of addressing
the root causes of racial inequality, including disparities in education,
healthcare, housing, and employment. At its core, BLM seeks to empower
Black communities by advocating for policy reforms, social justice, and the end
of practices that disproportionately affect Black people. The movement has
resonated across borders, influencing activism worldwide and encouraging
solidarity among marginalized groups.Beyond protest and advocacy, BLM also
serves as a cultural movement, amplifying Black voices and stories that have
often been silenced or ignored. It aims to shift societal attitudes, encourage self-
reflection, and prompt both individuals and institutions to confront their biases
and make meaningful changes. The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter has evolved
into a global rallying cry for justice, and while challenges remain, the
movement continues to inspire change and shape the discourse on race and
equality.
The Black Lives Matter movement represents both a call to action and a
reflection of the collective struggle for justice and equality. By shedding light
on the lived experiences of Black people and challenging systemic injustice,
BLM has become an essential force in the fight for racial equity. Its ongoing
influence has sparked crucial conversations about how society can move toward
a more just and inclusive future. While there is still much work to be done, the
persistence and resilience of the Black Lives Matter movement continue to
inspire individuals and communities to stand up for equality, equity, and the
dignity of all Black lives.
All Lifes Matter
-my personal take
Racism is a very sensitive topics, my perspective on this issue is shaped by
the understanding that while all lives do matter, the conversation must
focus on addressing the systemic inequalities and injustices that
disproportionately affect certain communities. To genuinely honor the
value of all lives, we must first ensure that everyone, regardless of race or
background, has equal access to opportunities, safety, and dignity.
Its appalling to see that something from the 16th and 19th century affects
our society to this day. Living in the 21st century, one may expect that the
society has developed for the better. However, thats nowhere near the case.
People still judge a person based on his or her physical appearance. In my
opinion physical attributes provide us the least amount of information
about a person. Its excruciating to see people judge somehow based on
their skin tone and caste. As a seventeen year old student, whenever i
scroll through social medias, i see thousands of people throwing racial
remarks targeted to a person just for a sake of being “cool”. How a single
comment would make a person feel about himself doesnt bother them in
the least. Its easy to be blasé about a situation that doesnt bother you.
People these days mind their own business which to a certain extent is
good but theres a difference between minding your own business and
acting ignorant to situations which require the help of humanity. There is
no way that a social issue as big as racism is going away until everyone
decides to take a stand and speak for the oppressed.
Its high time that people start to stand up for eachother. How a person
looks, which country or caste they belong to should not even be a criteria
to judge them. The beauty lies within the person and its time to
acknowledge them for who they are as a human.
INTERVIEW
background of the victim :-
name: raman
gender: male
religion: sikh
reason for bully: turban
Q1. What's your age?
Ans. 19
Q2. Have you ever faced racism?
Ans. Yes
Q3. Where did you encounter racism?
Ans. In School
Q4. What type of racism did you encounter?
Ans. I was differentiated for belonging a different
caste in my own country.
Q5. What age group of people were racist to you?
Ans. 12 – 16
Q6. How did you react to it?
Ans. I endured it, and chose to not bother myself with
it as it was affecting my mental health.
Q7. Did you do anything to resolve it?
Ans. I told my teachers about it, hoping that they
would understand and take an action, but to my
surprise no action was taken what so ever. My feelings
were completely disregarded and i had to endure all
those years of bully.
Q8. Now that a couple of years have passed by do
you think things have improved for the better?
Ans. I honestly thought that people had grown up and
realised that bullying is wrong. During my 1st year in
college things were absolutely alright, but on a fine
evening during my football match, students were
throwing racial slurs at me which degraded my moral
and i performed poor at the game.
Q9. What hope do you keep from the future
generation?
Ans. I hope that people start to treat everyone equally
with respect. Every human is supposed to feel
inclusive in the society irrespective of their color,
caste or ethnicity. I hope parents teach their children
to give and take respect, and everyone as a whole puts
an end to this once and for all.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1.wikipedia
2.quora
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that this "English Investigatory
Project" on the topic "Racism” has been
successfully completed by “KHUSHI SINGH” of
class XII-D under the guidance of Ms. Anjili
Sarah in particular fulfilment of the curriculum of
Central Board of Secondary Education {CBSE}
leading to the award of annual examination of the
year 2024-25.
Teacher-in-Charge
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I have taken efforts in this project. However, it
would not have been possible without the kind
support and help of many individuals.
I would like to thank my principal Mrs. Sheelu
Mathew and school for providing me with
facilities required to do my project.
I am highly indebted to my English teacher,
Ms.Anjili Sarah, for her invaluable guidance
which has sustained my efforts in all the stages of
this project work.
