Racism : The Worst Possible Thing That One Human Being

In one way or another everyone encounters racism at many times in their life. Whether they are making the comments or victims of it, racism is everywhere and continues to be denied throughout the world. Neil Bissoondath, a Trinidad native, writes "I'm Not Racist But…" which discusses the types of labels given to different ethnic groups and the encouragement of racism they give. Based on the effective way it was written, Bissoondath's essay is suggested for an English 101 text.

There exists in our community a monster, a monster as old as mankind itself. This monster is known by many names; some call it racism, others discrimination but the only thing certain about this monstrosity is that it can be overcome if we all unite to fight against it. Racism is “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race” (Merriam Webster). Racism has multiple causes ranging from living in a secluded community, to the basic instincts of mankind which likes exemplify the differences found in others not like themselves. Racism can destroy the foundations on which a community is laid upon and can intrude upon the peace and sanction of many of its members. By informing members of the community on the reasons why racism continues to persist, encouraging acceptance and providing further education on how to relieve racial tensions, we can resolve the issue of racism once and for all.

Racism is a socially constructed concept used by multiple groups of people and creates a hierarchy of sorts based purely on the color of a person’s skin or their cultural origins. It has been an idea that has existed since the beginnings of civilization. A more modern iteration of this concept was made prominent in the 16th century as European settlers began to explore different areas of the world, specifically areas in or around Africa. But slavery can be seen back in the 1500s all the way to 1880 and was most likely a leading example of what helped define racism up to the 20th century. In Ali Rattansi’s book, “Racism: A Very Short Introduction” , the author connects how slavery and race are closely tied together. European explorers would ignore the cultures the invaded in order to see these people as nothing more than native groups that were meant to be seen in a subservient role. Slavery would continue to grow across the Atlantic and seen as an institution that created large amounts of wealth for those who could reap the benefits from it. As long as money was being made, slavery persisted and was justified. Race and racism was conceived the way it was because the slave owning system was controlled by European colonizers.

If one were to drive down any random road in South Carolina today, they might spot a Confederate Flag hanging proudly from a building or a house or even a national monument. The ones who support the display of this flag say that it is more to do with cultural history than racism, however, the history that this flag represents is what motivated Dylann Roof to kill nine innocent people in a South Carolina church in 2015. In this day and age, how did something like the Charleston church shooting massacre occur? This essay will explain how racism, although not as common as it was in the past, still exists today and how this racism is connected to the story of Dylann Roof. Although certain racist laws, such as Jim

Racism has shaped societies since the beginning of time, as far back as the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Even then, people living in the land of Goshen were subjugated to racism because of their differences. From Hitler and the Nazis to the Southern American slave owners, prejudice of one race against another has resulted in atrocities. Racism has shaped the form of our present day societies. Racism will likely never be completely removed from our society it will always exist. However, in an effort to counteract the disease of racism, modern-day societies have drafted and enacted legislation for the sole purpose of ensuring that people treat each other with respect and dignity allowing one another their inalienable right to their

In June of this year it was recorded that there had been 490 people killed by the United States police force and a concerning amount of 138 of those citizens were African-American. Compared to the twelve percent that make up part of the U.S. population, thirty percent of the citizens killed by police is disarming. This study was broken down with the inclusion of fatal police shootings by race, ethnicity and region (Joseph). Since the 1992 there has been a great deal of awareness brought to the fact that the black population are the victims most affected in these police brutality instances. It seems imminent that African Americans in particular face this racial injustice compared to white people like myself who are exposed to privilege. For example, in comparison to the media coverage of Michael Brown being justified because he was labeled as a thug and “struggling with an officer, Trayvon Martin who was labeled as “ a kid suspended three times from school”, or 25 year old Derrick Varner who was labeled as “ having a history of narcotics abuse and tangles with the law” (Wing). On the other side of the spectrum a person of Caucasian decent can commit a crime and be treated humanely by police and covered by the media in a good perspective. For example, Jared Michel the Oregon school shooter was labeled as “ fascinated with guns but was a devoted Mormon”, or Elliot Rodger, the Santa Barbara mass shooter who was labeled as “ soft-spoken, polite, and a gentleman”

In the midst of slavery’s storm, European slave traders used sales tactics that catastrophically diminished Africa’s reputation and African’s humanity. In the process, they destroyed Africa’s historical truth; and created images that Africans were unrefined savages that mindlessly roamed the grasslands with bones jutting from their noses, in loincloths, and spears in hand…simply as if they were mere human and behaved as untamed animals. Classifying Africans as inferior and uneducated is racist in theory

Racism is a belief that one race is superior to the other or the practice of treating a person or group of people differently on the basis of their race. Racism has been an integrated part of ancient world and is still vastly present in modern society. The ideas of racism are embedded into society, without fault it is part of our national character. Country’s deny their racism; however, views of racism are ingrained into every society.

For generation racism has been an issue; it is based in the belief that human beings are superior or inferior to others because of race and or skin tone they were born into. Historical atrocities such as slavery and genocides have occurred because of this belief. Slavery was a form of systemic racism caused by the belief that darker skinned people of a foreign country could be bought, sold, and forced to work without compensation. Discrimination based on race was a problem before the Americans, but it became more prominent and more systemic once it reached out here. Now laws were put in place to keep African slaves from 'getting out of line '. They

Prior to examining the origins of racism in America, one has to know what racism is. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary the word racism means the “poor treatment of or violence against people because of their race or the belief that some races of people are better than others” (“Racism”). This great nation that we are a part of, America was created upon a foundation of racism in the form of slavery.

“Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.”(brainyquotes.com) In 2016, racism is still present in many ways. Although, police brutality has always been a hot topic in the media and politics, today it affects the rising generations directly. The workforce has also always penalized minorities in job opportunities, salaries, as well as putting limits on the options for professional appearance. In the 21st century, it seems as though the public school systems have reverted back to the “separate but equal,” laws of the Civil Rights Movement. Other minorities other than African-Americans are also affected by racism today due to strict and unfair immigration laws. Racism is more prominent in America in 2016 than it was during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s.

Martin Luther King Jr once said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character.” When people judge others by how they look or their skin color they lose the opportunity to learn from that specific person. Everyone has different personalities and has the ability to do many things. We need to stop racism by making changes within ourselves.

Have we reached the post racism era? Many people believe that racism has a stop, which is true up to an extent. Even with many programs set in place such as “Black Lives Matter” and the loads of attention directed towards police cruelty and racial discriminative acts, it is still has an everyday presence. Although this problem has gotten much better than, for example the 1670’s when slavery was an essential tool for life and success, the world is still not completely, which means we still have a major problem.

Every society in the world is rich with rich and diverse cultures of people from different backgrounds. Unfortunately, there are those who look down on others because of their race, culture or religion. Racism is an ugly act that can be found in many regions across the globe; it can be done subtly or directed straight at a person’s face. Measures such as sensitizing everyone in the community of issue which is divisive or can lead to racism is necessary for ensuring cohesion is promoted. Education for young children is important in ensuring the younger generation of tomorrow’s society is unified by appreciating the diversity found in every community. Racism has been an ugly issue that has existed for centuries, and many have suffered from the

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, racism is presented in various different characters and situations. As a prevalent theme today,both in real life and in literature, it is important for the reader to understand and recognize racism and it's impact on society. One specific example of racism, and it's effect on family situations such as Tom robinson’s, is after the trial from which tom was falsely accused and sentenced to jail, he tried to escape and got killed, people all over maycomb were gossiping over his death, one woman said:”Did you hear about?...No? Well, they say he was runnin’ fit to beat lightnin’....’ …… Just shows you, that Robinson boy was legally married, they say he kept himself clean, went to church and all that,