Introduction
Imagine leaving your house every day with the fear that someone will judge, pass a slur, disrespect or harass you for the amount of melanin in your skin, the traditional clothes you wear, the language you speak or the religion you follow. We live in a society that discriminates and shows antagonistic behavior towards other races. From kids at school, where children are mocked and ostracized for belonging to a minority race or following a different religion, to workplace harassment and employment discrimination, and everyday judgmental stares and comments on the streets, racism exist everywhere we go and has been there since the times of slavery and segregation inheritance.
Even though many people fail to acknowledge the existence of racism in our society, it is a major problem that has led to many crimes at schools, workplaces, markets and almost everywhere around us. It is about time that we address the racism as an issue of modern times rather than leaving it behind and treating it as a matter of history.
Discussion
People have been the target of racial discrimination for centuries that have haunted them and affected their social and mental wellbeing for life. Racism begins when an individual believes that their race is superior to others. They consider themselves superior because of their characteristics, features and special abilities that are biological traits or inherited aspects. This type of attitude is adapted from parents, friends and one the primary influencer of modern time, i.e., media. How and when do we build such stereotypes and negative images of the opposite race depends on the way media presents information and persuades people to create hatred for certain races and religions (Gil-González, 301-309).
Racism and discrimination is a sign that we are far from post-racial phase and still encounter actions and activities that have affected many innocent people. Additionally, in most schools, young black boys are considered less innocent than white boys of the same age. When these black individuals grow up, they are arrested for drugs and other criminal activities that they might’ve not even committed. Moreover, they receive 19.5% longer imprisonment than white men for similar crimes. Jobs and loans are less likely to be offered to Black, Latinos or other minority groups such as Muslims. Hence, there is a huge wealth gap between these races and white Americans (Jenny, n.p.).
Despite the number of racism cases, according to a research conducted by Pew Research Center, 3% of Americans think that racism is not a problem while 26% of Americans think it is a small issue. These figures are very disappointing because the lack of awareness has led an increase in racial harassment and crime. There are many people who strongly oppose movements like “black lives matter” or any other ethnic awareness campaigns to cater the problem of racism and hostile attitudes of individuals against the minority group (García, 27-30).
Furthermore, racism often occurs in a passive way which involves ostracizing people socially for being different and having different opinions or experiences. It also happens in the form of stereotyping a community or group for the actions of a few individuals that are highlighted on news channels by racist journalists (Nancy, 1-2). Individuals belonging to minority groups are called names, insulted taunted and shown extreme hate that leads to violent crimes against them for being visibly different because of their skin color, traditional or religious dress code or any other sign that represents their race.
Conclusion
While the color of your skin is a biological factor which can’t be influenced, and religious views and practices are one’s personal choices, the concept of race and indifference in humans are socially created by the insecurities of supremacists. As unique individuals with different cultures, languages, talents, skills, and beliefs we should accept our indifferences and address the idea of individuality while staying in unity and love.
It is crucial to spread awareness among people who fail to recognize the issue of racism and teach them about other races and cultures and how they deserve to be equally respected. Humanity comes before race, religion, and culture. No matter what amount of pigmentation your skin has, you bleed the same blood any other human, you feel the same pain and emotion as any other individual.
Works Cited
Gil-González, Diana, et al. “Racism, other discriminations and effects on health.” Journal of immigrant and minority health 16.2 (2014): 301-309.
Jee-Lyn García, Jennifer, and Mienah Zulfacar Sharif. “Black lives matter: a commentary on racism and public health.” American journal of public health 105.8 (2015): e27-e30.
Krieger, Nancy. “Police killings, political impunity, racism and the people’s health: issues for our times.” Harvard public health Rev 3 (2015): 1-2.
Lee, Jenny. “International student experiences: Neo-racism and discrimination.” International Higher Education 44 (2015).
