Definition of Racism - Essay Example

 Definition of RacismRacism is an ugly scar on civilized society. It involves the superiority of one race as to the inferiority of another. Racism can be defined as the physical, cultural, social and intellectual superiority of a race in comparison to another race. The race that is superior exercises their power and dominates the other weak or inferior race. For example Racism is rampant in almost all aspects of American society between the whites (superior) and the Blacks (inferior).Much before the Civil Rights Movement could take a stand, the racial tension and conflicts were all too evident of the Whites domination of the Blacks.

Racism was institutionalized and given support from all quarters of the government as well as parts of the society. The Blacks were denied their Civil Rights and opportunity to participate in any political, social and economical matters.Racism also accounts for heavy prejudice based on race that entails discrimination and segregation against the race that is inferior. Racism was a very powerful force to reckon with in American society and hence the Blacks were neither favored nor given any prominence for any of their talent, which includes their artistic or intellectual abilities.

They were not given admission to good educational institutions nor were they allowed to enter theaters or Hotels.Racism could also be described as the hatred or intolerance of one race towards another. Before and during the wars the Whites felt it below their dignity to induct the Blacks into the army. It is only when all the vacancies had been filled by the Whites and they badly needed hands to help in the war, did they begin recruiting Blacks who bravely served the country all through the war- some of them were so heroic that they served until their last breath.

Racism wears different masks – but basically the psychological pre-condition for racism is nothing but anxiety or contempt towards another race in order to secure or reassure themselves of their own identity. On a Philosophical level we could say that racism does not provide room either for the unknown or the strange. All the facets of racism are dependent on the socio – economic, cultural and religious condition of any given society which reflects the over emphasis of the skin color of a particular race.

Racism is of many kinds. For example in European History we have what is called state – organized racism where thousands of Jews were persecuted in History’s worst holocaust. Then we have Racism involving the color of ones skin – an example of this could be seen in the slavery and colonization that took place in North America during the 18th century where the Whites exploited the blacks by treating them in the most inhuman way by denying them their dignity and freedom because of their ethnicity and dark color.

Racism came to an end only after the Civil Rights Movement took place where different organizations and institutions strived hard to restore the lost freedom of the ethnic minority and brought equality into their shattered lives.References:Racism: Definitions from Dictionary.comwww.dictionary.reference.com/browse/racismBenedict, R. (1983). Race and Racism. Routledge and Kegan Paul, London.www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism