The simple definition of the term “Racism” according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is the belief that each race has distinct and intrinsic attributes. It is the belief that a race is superior to others
Racism can take various forms – it can be personal, ingrained in institutions, or even internalized by individuals. Discrimination encompasses attitudes, actions, and entire systems.
Historically, racism took a significant turn when white Europeans and Americans developed the modern concept of “race” to justify the practice of slavery. While prejudice and exclusion have existed throughout history, this conceptualization of race played a crucial role in shaping the discriminatory practices that persist today.
In this article, we will delve into the beginnings of racism, shedding light on who initiated the discriminatory act. Additionally, we will present five examples of racism to better understand its manifestations. Moreover, we’ll discuss ways to take action against racism.
The Origins and Historical Roots of Racism
Racism has its roots in the relatively recent concept of “race,” a categorization that emerged during the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the 16th century. For thousands of years before this, people acknowledged differences among themselves but didn’t categorize humans by race.
However, as the demand for enslaved labour increased in the 17th century, white Europeans and Americans sought a justification for slavery, leading to the development of the concept of “race.”
Professor Andrew Curran, in a Time article, highlights how scientists and philosophers of that era searched for non-religious explanations to justify the perceived differences between Africans and white Europeans.
These thinkers were not merely driven by scientific curiosity; they were actively seeking reasons to legitimize slavery.
Through experiments and now discredited pseudoscientific theories, a racial hierarchy emerged, placing white people at the top and Black people at the bottom. Some argued that certain “races” were destined for enslavement, asserting it was by a perceived natural order.
Beyond scientific justifications, religious arguments were also intertwined with the concept of “race.” These beliefs collectively contributed to the establishment of racial hierarchies that perpetuated discrimination and inequality.
Understanding the historical development of racism sheds light on the complex and interconnected factors that have shaped our contemporary understanding of race.
Also Read: What Is Cultural Assimilation?
The Evolution of Racism Over Time
Racism has changed over time. Back in 1859, the last ship carrying slaves arrived in the United States. Slavery ended five years later after the American Civil War.
Although slavery was abolished, racism didn’t disappear. Even those who fought against slavery didn’t always believe in equality between Black and white people; they just thought slavery was wrong.
Racism continued to shape how people saw each other and themselves.
Today, overt racism is not tolerated in many places, but old policies and hidden racism still cause inequality between races. Instead of recognizing the impact of slavery and past injustices, some people blame innate differences between races for inequality. But science shows that race isn’t based on biology.
While race is a real social and political concept, there’s no scientific evidence that humans are divided into distinct racial groups by their DNA.
Identifying The Examples of Racism
Racism can be seen in different ways. Sometimes it’s obvious, and sometimes it’s not. But how do you know when you see it? Here are five examples to help you understand:
1. Colour-blind Racism
Many people advocate for being “colour-blind,” asserting that race doesn’t matter and should be ignored. This perspective, known as colourblind racism, mistakenly believes that because race isn’t biologically real, discussing or acknowledging it is unnecessary.
However, while race may not be grounded in biology, it undeniably exists as a social construct, and racism remains a pervasive issue.
Those who claim to be colourblind often unintentionally contribute to microaggressions—thoughtless actions or comments that marginalize individuals based on their race. Paradoxically, some individuals, while asserting a lack of racial bias, may still harbour overtly prejudiced views.
Surprisingly, a study on colourblindness in a medical context revealed that physicians subscribing to this ideology are more prone to incorporate race into their screening and treatment decisions.
Refusing to acknowledge the existence of racism inadvertently perpetuates it. By adopting a colourblind stance, individuals may unknowingly uphold discriminatory practices and attitudes.
Recognizing that race is a social construct does not mean dismissing its impact; instead, it calls for a nuanced understanding that can help dismantle systemic biases and promote genuine equality.
2. Racial Slurs and Stereotypes
Racial slurs and racial stereotypes exemplify racism. Slurs are offensive words and phrases used to insult and discriminate against individuals or groups based on their race or ethnicity. These words are widely criticized and, in some places, are considered hate speech, leading to legal consequences.
Racial stereotypes are generalized beliefs about people based on their race. While some may be positive, many are negative, perpetuating harmful ideas such as certain groups being prone to violence or criminal behaviour.
Negative stereotypes contribute to discrimination, social exclusion, and psychological harm. Even seemingly positive stereotypes are disrespectful as they impose oversimplified expectations on individuals.
Both racial slurs and stereotypes play a role in fostering an environment of prejudice and discrimination. It is crucial to acknowledge and condemn such behaviours to promote inclusivity and understanding among diverse communities.
3. Racial Discrimination
Racial discrimination is a common type of racism where people are treated unfairly because of their race. It happens in many parts of life, like jobs, homes, schools, courts, and healthcare. Sometimes, discrimination isn’t obvious. Laws or actions might not mention race, but they can still be unfair.
For example, in the US, Black girls often face harsh punishments in school, even though it’s not officially because of their race. In one case, a 12-year-old Black girl got in trouble for writing “hi” on a locker. She faced serious consequences, while a white girl involved got off easier. There was no rule saying Black girls should be treated harshly, but it still happened.
Discrimination can happen even without mentioning race. It’s unfair and hurts people. It’s important to recognize and stop racial discrimination wherever it occurs.
4. The Practice of Racial Segregation
Dividing society by race, also known as “racial segregation,” means separating people based on their race and limiting their access to resources, institutions, services, and opportunities. Examples of this include apartheid in South Africa and the Jim Crow laws in the American South. In these systems, Black individuals were compelled to live in separate neighbourhoods, attend separate schools, use separate public facilities, and sit in designated sections on public transportation.
Despite attempts to justify this separation with the doctrine of “separate but equal,” Black Americans consistently received inferior treatment and services. Similar discrimination occurred in South Africa.
The act of dividing society by race is to favour so-called “superior” races and prevent racial mixing, is overtly racist. Even if proponents argued for equality in segregation, enforced separation remains a violation of human rights.
Also Read: 6 Ageism Examples
5. Targeting People Based on Race
Committing a crime against someone because of their race is called a hate crime. If many people are targeted and harmed based on their race, it becomes genocide. Genocide means intentionally killing a large group of individuals from a specific ethnic background or nation to completely get rid of them.
The Holocaust is a terrible example of this. In the Holocaust, Nazis targeted Jewish people from different racial backgrounds, considering them a separate race. The Nazis started by making Jewish people seem less important and not like regular people because of their race.
This led to separating them, keeping them away from society, and finally, systematically killing them. The Holocaust is a severe example of antisemitism, an old type of racism that existed before our current understanding of race.
How Can You Fight Racism?
Racism happens everywhere even in professional sports. Actions have been taken to curb racism, but are institutions doing enough to kick out racism?
Let’s look at some of the steps to help fight racism.
You Need To Understand Racism
Understanding racism is the first step to fixing it. Racism isn’t just about being mean to someone because of their race. There are many ways it shows up, even without people meaning to be racist.
If you want to stop racism, learn as much as you can about it. Read books, listen to songs, write poems, take classes, and talk to people who know about racism. They’ve spent a lot of time learning and can teach you. Once you understand racism better, you can start working to make things better.
Support Fair Policies for Racial Equality
Advocating for policy changes is crucial in dismantling institutionalized racism, a complicated network of rules, laws, and systems that sustain racial discrimination across all aspects of society. For lasting change, it’s not enough for individuals to alter their views on race; the systems enforcing racism must be transformed.
To make a difference, you can endorse progressive policies through voting, back advocacy groups, and scrutinize the regulations in your workplace, school, or other organizations you’re involved in.
If you’re unsure about where to begin, explore the policy recommendations put forth by racial justice organizations. By actively participating in these efforts, you contribute to creating a fairer and more equitable society for everyone.
Embrace Personal Growth for a More Inclusive World
Addressing racism can be challenging due to its widespread impact, but focusing on personal change is a crucial starting point. Take charge of your own actions, as individuals may unknowingly hold biases, stereotypes, or internalized racism.
Commit to transforming your life by examining your beliefs and interactions, and speaking up against racism when encountered. Responsibilities differ based on personal experiences; those from marginalized groups face distinct challenges compared to their white counterparts.
It’s essential to avoid placing the entire burden of ending racism on the shoulders of racialized communities. Instead, fostering solidarity among diverse groups, prioritizing community support, and allowing time for rest are key components for achieving lasting and sustainable progress. Embracing personal growth contributes to building a more inclusive and understanding world for everyone.
