Racism has emerged
as a negative social phenomenon in the recent past despite having been
existence for a long time in the course of history. In the past, racism
involving westerners towards non-westerners had a significant impact on many
aspects of global history. Racism is not an outright process but is governed by
a complex interaction of social, institutional, and personal factors. With
trends in technology in the education, business, tourism, governance, transport
and information communication technology increasing the interaction between
individuals race issues are prevalent in modern society as they have been in
the past. Increased interaction between people of different races and the use
of communication technology have changed race relations by complicating them.
Racism is a social phenomenon in the present day creates social, economic, and
political inequalities.
Racism is a
negative perception of other individuals based on their skin color, language,
ethnicity, or nationality. Racism builds on the premises of stereotyping,
prejudice, and discrimination (Van der Valk 45). Racists categorize people from
other races as different in an inferior manner possibly to belittle them while
at the same time boost their feeling of superiority. Racism involves adverse
treatment or perception of an individual due to their belonging to a particular
group. Racism has led to the propagation of inequality and discrimination that
have led to a domino effect on social, political, and economic affairs. These
factors, in turn, affect to a significant extent the interactions between human
beings. Racism is considered an ideology that is founded on myths about other
racial and ethnic groups and aims to make them appear inferior and its origins
can be traced to past social, economic, and cultural disparities. The common
expressions of racism vary from mild racism in racial attitudes and faith in
stereotypes or extreme instances such as xenophobia.
On aspect that
influences racism greatly is belief. Goffman explains that beliefs are an
inherent aspect of individuals (107). Not only do they affect the individual’s
perceptions of themselves, but also how an individual perceives other humans
and the environment they interact with. According to Goffman, some beliefs are
ingrained at an early age while others are gained in the course of growth and
development. Racist attitude may be acquired from the environment an individual
resides in while young that influences their belief in the negative stereotypes
of a particular group. On the other
hand, it may also be gained later in life as the individual chooses what to
believe and what not to believe in. Goffman also points out that individuals
are performers and play social roles that need them to act in a particular
manner to fulfill their roles (108). Subsequently, it is arguable that racists
merely take up the act of racism to fulfill the social role that endorses
prejudice and discrimination.
Racism is also a
hotly debated topic with arguments over whether restrictions related to racism
contravene freedoms such as Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights that advocates for freedom of expression (Back and Solomos8). However,
counterclaims exist that point out that unregulated speech could lead to events
such as the atrocities instigated against some races during the Holocaust due
to the policies of the Nazi regime. Subsequently, racism has a profound impact
on political and social systems that run the world. Adding to the present
social awareness movement that advocates for political correctness, individuals
have to be careful of their speech and action to avoid triggering intense
feelings on the subject of racism.
Racism is a social
phenomenon that is rooted in negative perceptions of a particular ethnic group
due to prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination. Racism is an ideology that
seeks to portray a certain group as superior based on skin color, ethnic or
racial basis. Beliefs are an inherent aspect of human nature and are influenced
by personal attitudes or the environment. Racism leads to social, economic, and
political implications especially fostering inequality. Historically, racism,
especially from Westerners to no-westerners, has affected the past
significantly. Racism is a social phenomenon in the present day creates social,
economic, and political inequalities.
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