Forms Racism Can Exist - Essay Example

The Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines it as a belief in the idea that race determines the traits of a person, as well as his capacities, and that difference in race produces inferiority or superiority of a racial group (Brown 10). By looking at these two definitions, believing that one race is dominant over the other race as far as appearance, abilities, and traits can be considered racism.

Racism affects society in a variety of ways. A research study in the US showed that almost all white Americans have some negative assumptions and stereotypes about African Americans, ethnic minorities, and other races that were defined as silent racism (Brown 15). This example shows that color acts as a vital determinant of how people would socialize with other people. Three types of racism occur, with the first being racial discrimination. Racial discrimination involves dividing society into groups that are not all related to race than treating them according to it. This category of racism is the most common and is connected to stereotyping. Research by researchers from the University of Chicago and MIT conducted a study that found that there was widespread discrimination against those applying for jobs with names that sounded black (Brown 16). People in this category have less than a fifty percent chance of being called to an interview. The research concluded that bias does exist in American society even without the people themselves realizing it. Institutional racism is yet another category of racism that can also be referred to as systematic, state, or structural racism. Educational institutions, religious groups, companies, and governments that possess the power to influence a wide swath of people carry out this form of racial discrimination (Brown 16). While most institutions will deny the existence of this form of racism under their watch, some of them if not most, practice this form of racism via their policies or the people that they have working for them. Lastly, we have economic racism. Economic racism is a result of past historical reasons that affected a particular generation because of the lack of preparation during the generation of their parents, lack of formal education, and racist actions and attitudes that are done without their knowledge (Brown 20). Governments in the past were run on these categories of policies in the economic allocation of resources, although this sort of racism has subsided over the years with increased transparency in government.

Based on these examples and definitions of racism, it is clear that while stereotyping and racism are similar, they are not the same. The belief that one’s race can produce better people in terms of physical appearance and skill is considered racism in almost every corner of the world. Knowingly or not, every single person has a racist side. In one way or another, an individual can be a victim of racism at some point in his or her life. The practice of racism only begets more racism and, as such, the cycle must end.