Reflect on readings related to race/racism and/or gender and sexual identity - Book Report/Review Example

Number: Racist 6th October Race/racism, Gender and Sexual Identity Introduction Racism,gender and sexual identity and orientation are major issues of concern which have been assimilated in our society and continue to be passed on from one generation to another in understanding the values and behaviors of human beings all over the world. They revolve around the culturally learnt other than the naturally and physically acquired human characteristics in determining how people are expected to behave and the activities they should perform.

Racism, gender and sexual identity have been used as tools to deny others from accessing certain opportunities, thus bringing about discrimination. The issues have led to preferential treatment and denial of freedom of some groups while other are victimized and therefore denied equal rights to accessing such opportunities thus giving privileges to some people to always make use and benefit from resources and rights over others who are discriminated against (Yarhouse and Tan, 2004)In the society and the learning institutions, classification based on race is usually seen as very outstanding bearing in mind that the society in which we live in is divided into tribes/ ethnic groups and hence the racial classification.

It is a common practice to hear people commenting about the differences amongst the various races which exist in the society and even bringing comparison amongst them. It’s also a common practice to hear of people associating different attributes to different racial groups, a phenomenon that is basically based on the cultural orientation of the people. For example, if one could introduce him/herself by name in a group setting, there would be comments from others that, “that is a nomad, or a fisherman” or even associate with the type of food and economic activities that such a group of people is usually known by (Carbado,1999).

Often, there was discrimination along racial groups where some would be viewed as not capable of handling a certain activity or even one would be viewed as to have defied the customs of their race incase they were found to be in school for a racial group that does not recognize the learning process for their people.In terms of gender and sexual identification, learning institutions are marked by an expectation in terms of what kind of orientation a person is expected to take. For example, it is apparent that there are some courses in school which are assumed to be of men while others will be deemed to be of women.

There is thus a societal orientation which acculturates people as they grow to believe that there are certain responsibilities which are sorely for men and others for women. Surprisingly, even the elite in the society and those who go through the learning process have not been able to shed off these orientations and carry on with them. However, with these entire firm mind orientations to gender roles, people should learn to adapt to new systems and even encourage others of different race, gender and sex to pursue what they feel are comfortable in without looking upon the discrimination lines which were implanted in their minds so that all people can exploit strengths and opportunities they have.

It’s through free interaction and opening up, shun of discrimination that all people will benefit from utilizing the opportunities they have for sustainable growth and development (Ridley, 2005).ConclusionRacial, gender and sexual differences should not be taken as universally instituted policies of allocating roles and privileges while barring others from accessing the same. People who find themselves in such discriminated situations should device gradual but firm solutions to help them out of the situations and also in realizing, enjoying and practicing their rights and those of their future generations.

References1. Charles R. Ridley, Overcoming unintentional Racism in counseling and Therapy: a practitioner guide to intentional intervention, California. Sage: 2005(2nd Edition) 2. Devon W. Carbado, Black Men on Race, Gender and Sexuality, New York: New York University Press:19993. Mark A. Yarhouse and Erica S.N. Tan, Sexual Identity Synthesis, Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America: 2004