Racism

Racism

The problem of racism has been always present in the lives of humans. Racism has often played an essential role in the conflicts between people. Unfortunately, it has been deeply rooted in the histories of some countries and this problem is constantly rising. However, there are also governments that do their best to eliminate the issue, placing emphasis on equality. Racism is the belief of some people that certain characteristics of individuals can be attributed only because of their race. Also, there is a false belief that some racial groups may be more superior than others. Nowadays, racism is a great problem, especially in countries where discrimination and violence are the norm.
In the ancient times, racism was not referred to as a crime. Moreover, it is an inevitable part of the social life. However, times have changed that is not considered a norm anymore. All people are equal irrespective of their gender, race, ethnicity, and other characteristics. But, unfortunately, many people do not want to pursue this idea and apply it to racism which is an intentional or unintentional use of power to show that a certain group of people is different through isolation, separation, and exploitation.
The cases when people treat someone unfairly or differently due to their origin, skin color, or different language, is referred to as the expression of racism. It presupposes different forms, for example, verbal or physical abuse or violence to individuals or their property, written insults or threats, the use of offensive terms to call people of a different race, telling racist jokes, the use of stereotyping characters, and showing exclusion acts. If governments do not take measures to reduce or eliminate any expression of racism, it remains unpunished and grows into a large social problem. However, countries like Canada strictly prohibit any expression of racism and even the slightest provocation is the cause of the vigorous rebuke or public remorse.
Racism has proven to be adapted in any society. Moreover, it is notoriously resistant and ready to start during the rimes of anxiety and danger. Racism and related discrimination have been applied as powerful and acting weapons, encouraging violence, hatred, and fear. They are expressed due to various reasons, including social and political ones. It is wide in scope and application. Although some countries, for example, Canada, claim that the issue of racism has been solved, there are still many cases of racist behavior. It may be explained by the fact that the government just seeks to show its effectiveness. Racism is alive in all countries, but it is expressed in different ways and with different severity. However, it is necessary to highlight that people are not born racists, and it cannot be transmitted through genes. Hence, this quality is acquired through traditional, social norms and interactions, and personal beliefs.
The dominant culture plays an essential role in oppressing racism which is referred to as intolerance based on race construction. The issue of racism is perpetrated and held by the support of the dominant system. Hence, racism is also an oppression system that presupposes privileges and power exercised by a dominant racial group over other non-dominant groups. There are many dominant cultural narratives about the non-dominant groups. For example, white is the dominant group in the USA, while black is the contrary. Therefore, black people in the USA experience a number of problems due to their non-dominance, for instance, violence, difficulty in finding employment, and others. It is evident that racism encompasses individual and group prejudices, as well as discrimination acts that lead to cultural and material advantages conferred on a dominant social and cultural group. Hence, it is the condition in society when a dominant group benefits from the oppression of others. Therefore, some researchers examine racism through the discussion of individual prejudice and a power structure that protects the dominant cultural interests and actively discriminates against the minority or non-dominant groups. Thus, the members of a minority group may be prejudiced against the members of the dominant culture, due to the lack of economic, political, and social power, as well as not practicing racism.
Racism is a marginalization of an individual or a group of people as it pushes particular individuals to the edge of society, depriving them of the opportunity to express their identity. Consequently, people begin to feel that they take a secondary position in society and are less important than other groups, especially those who hold privilege in society or are culturally dominant. Hence, social marginalization and discrimination have become the primary stumbling blocks of many people who seek to integrate in society and look for community cohesion. Racism substantially contributes to the marginalization of certain groups of people, and is often the key factor that leads some individuals to the development of prejudice and attitudes, increases their involvement in criminal movements, and enhances the use of violence.
Racism impacts identity formation. The significance of minority status is vital for identity development among people living in contexts where dominant beliefs, values, and cultural and social aspects may conflict with those of their racial or cultural group. Hence, the problem of ethnic identity raises a number of relevant issues that deal with the ethnic community's role in alleviating stress related to discrimination. Identity formation should be discussed together with the discrimination and racism that hinder the development process. When the injustices connected to racial differences are present in the life of an individual, it may result in an inner conflict between what has been internalized and what is a cognitive process part. Consequently, a person can experience imbalance and is affected by it, blocking access to other people, especially those who belong to the dominant group. Therefore, non-dominant racial groups form racial identity. The development of a racial identity is a lifelong process that is based on beliefs and values. Also, this process is often described as an important human need. Racial identity tends to provide a sense of belonging as it enables people to develop attitudes and beliefs about the nature, meaning, and significance of the racial group membership.
Thus, racism is a socially constructed construct that is created and maintained to establish disparities in power and resource distribution. The roots of racism are embedded in human history, people’s values, and beliefs. Although racism was a norm in ancient societies, it is a great and constantly increasing problem in the modern world. Many people suffer from violence, discrimination, and inequality associated with racism which impacts different aspects of human life. Dominant culture impacts the oppression of racism, defining the scope of inequality imposed on society. Moreover, racism affects identity formation and leads to the development of racial identity. Many countries claim that they have done their best to combat these issues, but evidence suggests that the problem is not eliminated. Therefore, humanity has to find better ways to cope with the problem.

The author's work and social research of public activist Jason Taylor and writer https://qualityessay.com/