Running head: CONCEPT ESSAY; RACISM

CONCEPT ESSAY; RACISM

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 CONCEPT ESSAY; RACISM

Racism refers to antagonism or discrimination towards someone of a different race by

believing that one’s own race is more super. Racism is seen in social actions or in political

systems such as apartheid that allow discriminatory activities in a given society. The idea of

racism is based on the fact that human beings believe they can be subdivided into different

groups that exhibit varying social behaviors and capacities and that they can be classified as

superior and inferior. As much as racism appears to be a recent term, it is worth noting that there

is no proof that racism didn’t exist in the past. Things may exist for a long time before they are

given terms. For instance, a word t-shirt was not in use until the 20th century even though the

clothing article existed before the 19th century. While humans possess different genetic

properties, for example, different skin pigmentation, most biologists have a stand that race is not

biologically determined because modern people have not evolved into subspecies.

Thesis: This essay explains the meaning of racism, its causes, whom it affects and its

consequences in a given society.

Racism is caused by many reasons, among which is the fear of loss. Human beings

naturally behave in a manner that seeks to protect their kind. This means they do fear to lose

anything that makes them who they are; this could be status, jobs possession, territory, personal

experience, and even one’s own identity (Bastos et all, 2010). People fear being replaced by

others who are seen to be more appealing than what they are. Therefore ear is the biggest cause

of racism since it makes humans see their differences with others to be a threatening to what they

view as their rights. It is natural for human beings to feel threatened when things they value most

such as culture, family, and identity are in danger of getting harmed.

Ignorance is another major contributor to racism. If someone is raised up doing a

particular thing throughout their entire lives and others are also doing the same thing, it is

eventually seen to be the right thing even if it is not. A certain group of people will not see

anything wrong in what they are doing if all believe their actions are right. This is how racism is

continued in the whole world. This ignorance can only be stopped through education and

creating awareness of the consequences of it. Racism will continue to thrive until this issue of

ignorance is addressed.

People who lack self-love, self-confidence and self-esteem are often the most racist. This

kind of people expresses their negative feelings towards others that seem weak and vulnerable. It

is very clear that when a person truly loves and appreciates him/herself they are able to

appreciate others as well regardless of their race. Racism comes in when someone lacks

opportunities that others have or when someone feels worthless. This feeling means that a person

needs a person or people that they can use scapegoat in order to feel better; usually, this is a

person who is weaker than the racist. Racist tend to feel isolated insignificant wronged and

unloved, they, therefore, blame others in order to feel comfortable. Racism is not caused by

social actions but it is due to individual actions. It can, therefore, be stopped by improving on an

individual's way of life.

Fragmentation in the societies has also illuminated racism. Many people argue that

undifferentiated nation leads to disorder. This may be true to some extent but it is clear that the

hierarchies in our societies are what keep the fire of racism burning. Most stratified nations

create divisions between blacks and the whites and also divide people according to their
 CONCEPT ESSAY; RACISM

religions. This can be seen as mode of defense against intruders or rather the outsiders but it

leads to tension among people.

Some religious beliefs also have influence in the growth of racism culture among many

societies. For instance many believe that black color is associated with evil and ill-omen for

example, many people believe that when a black cat crosses their path something horrible will

happen to them. Many religions across the world present hell as a place with darkness. Such kind

of beliefs creates a wrong impression in people’s minds causing them to become racist.

The politics of divide and rule which have been dominating in the societies for a

considerably long time have caused politicians and lawmakers, in an attempt to gain support

from a certain group of people to indulge in appeasement practices that depict racism. Such

cultural and political weaknesses were broken by the president barrack Obama since he was the

first black president of the United States, the most powerful country. The act of racism was seen

through john McCain who asked people to vote for him just because he was white. Eastwood

Clint, an American actor is another good example of a racist. During an interview, he explained

that he voted for John McCain during the 2008 general elections in the United States because he

was a white person like him.

African and south Asian countries are usually referred to as third world countries a fact

makes them seen as poor than other countries well known as first world countries. The use of this

term ‘Third-world’ is associated with post-colonial literature since most of south Asian and

African countries have faced colonial rule. Such terms that create divisions between blacks and

the whites cause hatred among people.

Another factor causing racism is the economic insecurity among people. The fear of

dislike is very common in many countries. When someone is out of his/her own country and

meets unfamiliar people he/she feels like an outsider. Though it is not always true that people act

hostile towards foreigners, there has been a high level of discrimination of foreigners in the

recent past. Economic fear is the common cause of racial discrimination. It should be noted that

competition is all over and should not be prevented based on race.

Racism can be experienced by anyone. It is not a good feeling to experience it even if it is

a one-off experience. It is worse for those who face it frequently. People who often suffer from

racism come from the minority ethnic groups, for example, the people from Torres Strait islander

in Australia who are often discriminated and are not given opportunity to access resources like

the other Australian people (Delgado & Stefancic).

Native and Torres Strait Islander individuals are likewise as yet managing the impacts of

past laws and government arrangements which brought about them being expelled to missions

and holds or detracted from their families. These laws and approaches have brought on immense

measures of hurt and agony for people, families, and groups, which appears in heaps of changed

ways - weakness, high rates of emotional sickness and family breakdowns.

As a rule this inconvenience has been passed starting with one era then onto the next,

implying that numerous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people groups today pass up a

major opportunity for the open doors that different Australians underestimate. Transients and the

outcasts are extremely inclined to prejudice. The vast Refugees and migrants with different
 CONCEPT ESSAY; RACISM

dressing codes speech and skin color as compared to people of the host nation are most likely to

experience racism. Media reports and critiques that possess negative statements about refugees

and migrants can cause discrimination among these groups. This group of a fresh population may

find difficulties in securing accommodations and jobs in the new environment (Schmitt et all,

2014).

We shouldn't discuss prejudice. The straightforward truth is, on account of individuals

are as yet recognizing prejudice, bigotry is still around today. On the off chance that you take a

gander at a man, not as a dark man, or a Mexican man, however as a man, then your perspectives

of that man would be free of any preference that might be stirred if somebody somehow

managed to be depicted as a dark man or a Mexican lady. We are all individuals, we have to see

past our physical appearances and understand that judging another essentially in view of their

skin color isn't right.

References

Bastos, J. L., Celeste, R. K., Faerstein, E., & Barros, A. J. (2010). Racial discrimination and

health: a systematic review of scales with a focus on their psychometric properties. Social

science & medicine, 70(7), 1091-1099.

Delgado, R., & Stefancic, J. (2012). Critical race theory: An introduction. NYU Press.

Schmitt, M. T., Branscombe, N. R., Postmes, T., & Garcia, A. (2014). The consequences of

perceived discrimination for psychological well-being: a meta-analytic review.

Psychological Bulletin, 140(4), 921.