How to Recognize Racism
Racism is a way of looking at and judging people based solely on their outer appearance, particularly skin color or ethnicity. Throughout history, racists believe the group they belong to is superior to other groups of people. Racism leads to unfair treatment and sometimes violence. At the very least, racism builds walls between people. While many forms of racism are identifiable, some are not.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Listen for language that portrays people as different. While name calling may be racist, so is the use of any nicknames or labels based on appearance. Jokes about race or ethnicity are another example of racist language.
-
2
Recognize that stereotypes, whether positive or negative, are racist. When you believe a group of people is lazy or dishonest, you hold a racist belief. Yet so is the belief that one group is more athletic or smarter.
-
-
3
Watch for bullying when victims appear or act differently based on their culture. For example, bullies may target people who wear certain clothing based on their religion. Recognize that violence and even intimidation are extreme results of racism.
-
4
Understand that separating people due to race is segregation. The posting of "whites only" signs in U.S. and South African history are the most obvious example of segregation. Today's segregation continues in a less obvious ways in some private clubs and golf courses.
-
5
Know that limiting educational, job or housing opportunities is an illegal form of racism called discrimination. Discrimination cases continue to be tried in the court system.
-
6
Be aware that stopping someone to question them based on their outward appearance is called racial profiling. This is most evident when law enforcement individuals stop someone in their car or at a security checkpoint because of his skin color or ethnicity. Racial profiling is another form of racism.
-
7
Realize that a belief of superiority is a form of racism that can lead to enslavement or the death of large groups of people. Slavery in the United States is one example. These beliefs sometimes result in genocide, the systematic extermination of a group of people. Nazi Germany encouraged genocide against people who were Jewish. More recently, genocide has also been discovered in some African countries.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Recognize that racism is perpetuated by all cultural groups.
More Like This
Comments
View all 6 Comments-
stanman47
Oct 18, 2009
The racial differences exist. But, especially now that our President is part black, we cannot bring forward any differences without fear of being held up to ridicule or accused of being a racist. " Today's segregation continues in a less obvious ways in some private clubs and golf courses." Segregation is NOT racism. Yet here it is used interchangeably with racism. It is a neutral word, only given racial meaning by people needing to use it that way. Churches are mostly segregated in this country but nobody is charging any of them with being racist. Why? Because when people choose to congregate with those of their own religion or race it is segregation but NOT racism. The 'checklist' of how to recognize racism says segregation IS racism - and it is not. I grew up in a racial melting pot (Oakland CA) and have lived in South Carolina for the last 17 years. I find that there is ... -
stanman47
Oct 18, 2009
This 'checklist' is a naive attempt to further categorize people as 'racist' without true reason. "When you believe a group of people is lazy or dishonest, you hold a racist belief. Yet so is the belief that one group is more athletic or smarter." Blacks are more athletic than whites. If this is not true, then the reason whites are almost absent from the NBA must be that they don't try hard enough. There are anatomical and physiological differences between races. No intelligent person thinks otherwise. There are differences in bone density, muscularity, high twitch muscle fiber, etc. "White Men Can't Jump" is not a racist title to a movie. It is a conclusion reached by anyone who watches blacks and whites play basketball together. The racial differences exist. But, especially now that our President is part black, we cannot bring forward any differences without fear of being he...
-
toler
Jun 14, 2009
I have experienced racism in the workplace for example, I was told my position was being eliminated and offered a $10,000 severence with no explanation as to why it was eliminated. I also find it harder to find a job than most people, eventhough I am qualified for the positions. I also notice whites setting their car alarms just because someone black is around. I own my own house & car, I don't need to steal. These are examples of racism I have experienced in Texas.
-
Michael Deaton
Feb 25, 2008
Good article with some valid points. One thing that is not mentioned today by most anyone is the growing amount of racism against European-Americans, or White people. What's worse is it's almost completely ignored! Barack Obama himself belongs to a church that doesn't allow whites! Obama once described the white race as that ghostly figure that haunted black dreams. His church, Trinity Church of Christ, which he is second in command behind the Pastor, says on their website, "We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black." Would a white candidate get away with such racist statements against blacks? Certainly not. He would be labeled a "racist" and forgotten about. Replace the word "black" with "white." in the above statement. Do this, and you have what's considered a "racist statement." We've been conditioned to think whites are the only race possible of racism. A few months ago,
-
Michael Deaton
Feb 25, 2008
Good article with some valid points. One thing that is not mentioned today by most anyone is the growing amount of racism against European-Americans, or White people. What's worse is it's almost completely ignored! Barack Obama himself belongs to a church that doesn't allow whites! Obama once described the white race as that ghostly figure that haunted black dreams. His church, Trinity Church of Christ, which he is second in command behind the Pastor, says on their website, "We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black." Would a white candidate get away with such racist statements against blacks? Certainly not. He would be labeled a "racist" and forgotten about. Replace the word "black" with "white." in the above statement. Do this, and you have what's considered a "racist statement." We've been conditioned to think whites are the only race possible of racism. A few months ago,
