Towards a World Without Prejudice: The Path to Ending Racism

Introduction

Racism is the belief in the superiority of one race over another, which often results in discrimination towards people based on their race or ethnicity. Racism may also be defined as the hatred of one person by another because of the skin color, language, place of birth, background, or any other factor that reveals the basic nature of that person. Unfortunately, racism has existed throughout human history. It has influenced wars, slavery, formations of nations, and hatred between humans. Some may have thought that racism was over once slavery was gone, but that's not the case. According to Black, Hispanic, Arab and many other people with different races, ethnicity, and religion the daily challenges that they face, surmount to be huge as compared to white people or people in power. Racism has been one of our society’s most horrible problem. In the words of the famous Martin Luther King Jr. “Judging an individual by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character can be a very dehumanizing experience that can have lasting effects on an individual life.” The aim of this essay is to discuss the ways to ending racism in the modern world.

Ending Racism: Possible Ways

Racism is a problem because everyday people with different race, religion, and ethnicity often face hate through violence. They are not targeted randomly, in fact, they are targeted because of who they are and where they come from. According to the FRA survey “Every fourth respondent from a minority group said that they had been a victim of violence at least once in the 12 months.” On March 19 a mass shooting occurred in 2 mosques in New Zealand, the motive behind the mass shooting was the shooter's hatred towards Muslims. The suspect published a 'manifesto' in which he declared to be wrong or evil of immigrants as 'invaders'. 50 people were killed and 50 were injured. But, there is a way to end this. Governments can add law enforcement and gun control so they can prevent violence and shootings like these. They can also add more protection for people with different race, religion, and ethnicity. New Zealand has already done that but I propose that they do this globally. However, some people stated that people of color have the highest rate of crime. 4.7% of blacks are in prison. Notwithstanding, most school shootings were caused by a white person. Gun deaths in the USA in 2011-2013 was prompt by a white person, 63%.

Additionally, there is something called “Racial Resentment” which is “A coherent belief system that reflects an underlying unidimensional prejudice towards any ethnicity.” People use religion, beliefs or traditions as an excuse to their hatred act towards people with different backgrounds. Changing people's beliefs such as thinking that black people are less than white people, or that women should be confined in their place at home is hard. Changing people's beliefs can cause problems. Such as, being excluded by family and friends. South Africa has faced a major amount of racism in the past and still do today due to people's beliefs and traditions. In South Africa in the apartheid era, people stated that different races should be segregated from one another. Historically, people specifically white people held that people with different races should be limited to fewer jobs, less political power, and civil rights. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica “By the 19th century, racism had matured and spread around the world. In many countries, leaders began to think of the ethnic components of their own societies, usually religious or language groups, in racial terms and to designate “higher” and “lower” races. Those seen as the low-status races, especially in colonized areas, were exploited for their labor, and discrimination against them became a common pattern in many areas of the world. The expressions and feelings of racial superiority that accompanied colonialism generated resentment and hostility from those who were colonized and exploited, feelings that continued even after independence.” But if we teach the younger generations that everyone is the same or advocating shows and movies to spread awareness people's beliefs on racism might end.

Furthermore, people that face racism experience fear and low self-esteem. When someone faces harassment they come to view themselves as less worthy. Studies show that the suicide rate for black American children is twice that of white children. In order to end racism, we have to educate the younger generation to look at everyone the same way even if they have a different race, ethnicity or religion.

Conclusion

To conclude, racism is a global issue that has existed throughout human history and that should end. In order to end racism, governments can add law enforcement and gun control and we teach the younger generations that everyone is the same or advocating shows and movies to spread awareness people's beliefs on racism might end. Many people can't find jobs and can't go to school because of racism. Studies show that 6.6% of black people are unemployed and that only 68% of black people graduated worldwide. Let's end racism for the sake of our future.