The Existence of the Issue of Racism in a Society - Case Study Example

Overview Diversity is the foundation that makes the United States remarkable in its "melting pot" personality; however, racism could be the appalling reaction of those differences. Racism is characterized as "A mental state of mind"… focused around evidently false theories of racial contrasts appropriated by a society; despite the fact that there is no evidence that race is a genuine approach to distinguish social or biological differences.1 Whites are born of having a place, implying that we dont need to substantiate ourselves as far as our rights to be here. On the other hand, people of color have dependably needed to cope with obstacles. Mostly, it would include racism, wrong stereotypes and unfair treatment. Whites basically get a start in a country that was fabricated to give whites an unreasonable advantage. Though, the nation of the US is refusing the unfair part, however, there are a number of evidences available in the world confirming all the events of unfair treatments. Problem Statement In these chapters, the significance of race is shown as a big problem in the United States. Whites have a really aggressive and unfair attitude towards black regarding different aspects of life i-e, political, economical, social, and educational and all the other cultural values.2 It is a common myth in the United States that whites are above persons than color persons as well as the practices and actions are reflecting that humanity could be divided on the basis of races. In this regard, such an attitude of people is showing defects in their social learning and beliefs because racism is not a biologically or scientifically proven phenomenon. The Cause of the Issue The root cause of the existence of the issue of racism in a society is the social norms and beliefs a society has. There is a strong relationship between cultures and people towards race and ethnicity discriminations.3 As we characterize culture by a set of standards and qualities, we can easily explore that how these societies can frequently change over time and viewpoints towards racial and ethnic classes. Prejudice, racial differences, and white privileges are a few very common concepts that can frequently change the way we think or perceive other cultures and societies4. Cultural norms and beliefs are continually transferring from adults to their offspring therefore; it is hard to kick out a cultural myth about another culture from a society. It is generally acknowledged by sociologists that racism is basically a philosophy or a conviction framework with its basis established by three basic beliefs. Initially, there is the way that people might be classified commonly into diverse physical types. For example, Africans are "identified" by their dark skin color and curly hair; Asians are typed for their "yellowish" skin tone, dark hair and inclined eyes, Chinese are known for their small eyes, dark brown brunette hair and slant up eyes, etc.5 Usually, on the basis on these physical qualities, suspicions are naturally made that get to be "inherently identified with their society, identity and discernment".6 There is likewise the thought of hereditary legacy, which subjectively intimates that a few nations/groups are better than others. This contention is established in the conviction that a few groups sport a more great biological family than others and are accordingly better than different groups from the time of conception. At last, there is the phenomenon that recommends that diversity of groups is produced through social conduct. Contrarily, a few groups essentially have more prominent physical or intellectual limits compared to others, which permit them to be effortlessly classified on the premise of prevalence and inferiority. Interestingly, these thoughts appear to transcend all social hindrances, which is the reason racism is pervasive in both primitive and civilized societies.7 As racism is backed by some cultural and social beliefs, therefore, it mostly lives in the mind and the heart of people and even some may have never noticed it in front of their faces. On the other hand, some other may have a complete information and understanding about their perception regarding racism. It is really complex, therefore, it is not possible to find a single cause for this issue. Racism in the United States has profound recorded roots and, truth be told, even a large number of the founding fathers were the owners of slaves. Social orders established by one ethnic group, has quite often had the contrary state of mind towards individuals with diverse skin tones.8 Discrimination or segregation on the basis of race has been a historic issue in the United States, despite the fact that in 1865 the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, terminated slavery. Though slavery was no more lawful, racial segregation was socially worthy for a long time to take over. The biggest example of the racism at that time was the practice of segregation in schools and public transport. As per the laws of Montgomery Alabama, the first lines of seats on the transport were reserved for white passengers, and in the event that they were all possessed, black individuals needed to surrender their “black seats". This arrangement brought about a boycott of "Walking in the name of freedom", which went on for 381 days. Since African Americans were a noteworthy part of the transports clients, boycotting open transportation created transport organizations endured critical losses. On December 20, 1956, racial segregation out in the open transport was wiped out.9 Racial segregation in schools resulted in armed dispute. In Little Rock Arkansas, the most popular event happened in 1957, when racists did not need coeducation of white and nine dark students who got the title "Nine from Little Rock". At the point when things intensely rose, President Eisenhower was compelled to send troops to the city from the 1200 Airborne Division. They went with the kids to class and protected them in the halls. In 1941, segregation was formally canceled, yet truth be told it remains today on a great deal and subtle level. The US nation has progressed beyond anyones expectations from where it was about a century or half century ago, yet there is still far to go. Racism that is in practice today has significantly developed compared to the way it was previously. Sadly, the terms that are socially acceptable have not changed and still there is high resistance to change in the society.10 Consequences of Racism Racism is a progressing constrain that negatively affects the daily lives of Americans. Its impacts are regularly accomplished by distinctive individuals in different settings, in particular public, legal and work, which is distinguished as particularly important. The consequences of racism have greatly affected color people and made them on a hit list in their country and even society. They cannot move in the society openly because whites have always problems with blacks. People perceive them suspicious and try to avoid them in every aspect of life. Racism increased the desire of feeling important, respectable and superior which compelled color people to raise their voice against discrimination and usually such protests result in serious conflicts among whites and blacks. Self hate, Self loathing, Self harm issues, Suicide, Depression, Eating disorders, Fear of going to school/public places (agoraphobia), Bullying, Knife, gun crime, and Panic attacks are a few examples of the common consequences of the racism.11 It is not possible for a country to construct a boundary wall between whites and blacks to avoid their contact with each other in their daily lives. Therefore, it is impossible to save blacks and other color people from discrimination and daily disappointment at school, college, workplace, community and other social places and events. Racism even confronted a country to several moral and economic consequences. Racism made it difficult for color people to get a fair and respectable treatment from the society which in turn encouraged the negative perception and hate in the minds of color people towards whites. Although, not all whites have the same beliefs about racism, but color people consider all white people as their enemies and are avoiding them.12 Solutions to Racism Racism could be eliminated from a society, although it is not easy but is not impossible. The roots of racism are very strong therefore; the government should try to target the new buds instead of cutting its roots. Following are a few proposed solutions to eliminate racism from the society. Education: Education could be the most appropriate solution to racism because the more a person is educated the more he/she would have an awareness about different cultures and people. It is important for the government to improve the perception of children in their early age about the myth of racism. Racists usually have less information and knowledge about other cultures therefore, educating their children will definitely help them in getting information about different cultures and races. In educational institutes, teachers must increase awareness about the consequences of racism for each party to ensure its elimination. Law: In countries such as the United States where racism is very common, the government should create laws to avoid racism in the society. For example, there must be a law to save people from discrimination at different levels such as in schools, healthcare centers, offices, social events, etc. In case a person violates this law the government should charge huge penalties. This will encourage merit and fair treatment in the society and will eliminate the division between people living in a society on the basis of skin colors, superficial qualities, eyes color and hair color etc. Media: Media can effectively take part in the elimination of racism from any society because in today’s modern world, people are highly getting influence from social media, print media and electronic media. Ethnic groups and social workers should run different campaigns about racism with an aim to completely eliminate it from the society. They should tell the stories of black/color heroes who have contributed in developing a healthy society such as Nelson Mandela. Such stories will help white people in understanding the cultural values, norms and the attitudes of color people towards peace, humanity, love and education. Conclusion After analyzing the issue of racism, its causes, consequences and solutions, it becomes clear that the basic cause of racism is culture because the perceptions that are made by white people about color people is mostly influenced from their culture. The culture of white is assumed itself as a powerful and dominant figure while is assuming that other cultures are inferior to them and so are the people belonging from those cultures. It is clear that colors can never harm a society, therefore, it is important for white people to accept the importance of other cultures. It is difficult to completely eliminate racism in the society of the US, however; if the government takes some measures at a higher level its consequences could be controlled. Bibliography 1. Lemert C. Durkheims Ghosts. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2006. 2. Fitzgerald K. Recognizing Race And Ethnicity. 1st ed. New York: Westview Press; 2014. 3, 4 & 5. Diène D. Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia And All Forms Of Discrimination. 1st ed. Geneva: UN; 2006. 6 & 7. Schaefer R, Lamm R. Sociology--A Brief Introduction. 1st ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies; 1997. 8. Norman B, Williams P. Representing Segregation. 1st ed. Albany: State University of New York Press; 2010. 9 &10. Mays V, Johnson D, Coles C, Gellene D, Cochran S. Using the science of psychology to target perpetrators of racism and race-based discrimination for intervention efforts: Preventing another Trayvon Martin tragedy. Journal for social action in counseling and psychology. 2013;5(1):11. 11 & 12. Brown K. Turning a blind eye: racial oppression and the unintended consequences of white ‘non-racism’*. The Sociological Review. 1985;33(4):670--690. Read More