Why is racism a problem?
A study of more than 800 Australian secondary school students found that racism has a massive impact on mental health for young people experiencing racism, including:
persistent sadness, anger, depression, and alienation;
headache, increased heart rate, sweating, tremors, and muscle tension;
continuing fear of verbal or physical attacks;
hesitation in going to school; and
having no trust in anybody apart from family.
These effects can reduce people’s ability to work, study, and achieve future goals.
Racism also affects people’s general well-being when equal access to jobs, services, and education are denied.
“Racism makes me question myself and why things have to be this way … I wondered one day what it would be like to be white and how much better my life would probably be. That was a low point.”
(Foundation for Young Australians, The Impact of Racism Upon the Health and Wellbeing of Young Australians (2009), p93. https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/whyisracismaproblem.pdf Accessed on 20th July 2021)
How can we stop racism?
- Acknowledge racism in all its forms
The first step in ending racism is to know and accept that it does exist. Many people think of racism as something that is always done in a blatant or intentional manner; however, racism is exhibited in several forms. Research in the United States shows bias in all sectors of society, from healthcare to housing to the media. While job candidates with “stereotypical” African-American names are less likely to get interviews, the beauty industry worldwide celebrates white skin and denigrate dark skin tone. It is also essential to understand the history and evolution of racism. Things like voting taxes and literacy tests have discouraged or prevented people from voting. This legislation did not explicitly mention race
but was intended to target marginalized groups. - Overturn racist and discriminatory laws
Removing laws that negatively and unfairly affect particular races is an integral part of ending systemic racism. It is insufficient to admit that the law has racist intentions or effects; It is necessary to reverse it. There are many cases of systemic racism around the world. Systemic racism is found in medical, banking, and education in the United States. In South Africa, the apartheid system (1948-1994) heavily favored the white population politically, socially, and economically. China is famous for organized racism against blacks at universities. In 2020, Guangzhou Regional Government implemented strict surveillance and compulsory quarantine of all African nationals due to Covid-19.
Removing laws based on racism and designed to maintain unequal results is necessary to end systemic racism. Many people think that society can prevent racism by teaching acceptance. However, the reality is that even if everyone stops racism, this system will still have a harmful effect on specific races. This is because the system is designed with a specific intention, even if the race is not explicitly mentioned. Discriminatory laws encourage racist beliefs by making it more difficult for marginalized groups to get out of poverty, go to good schools and get specific jobs. When systemic barriers are lifted, the individual race no longer has an obstacle to overcome.
- Commit to anti-racism
To put an end to racism to a personal degree, people must be committed to being anti-racists. We just mentioned that systematic racism would not end if became anti-racist all of a sudden, but those who fight to end the system need the first step of personal anti-racism. Opposition to racism is a lifelong pursuit. And not something that you just achieve and move on from. It is the will to take on continuous introspection and responsibility. To be anti-racist, you have to admit differences rather than pretend they do not exist. For example, when dealing with gender pay gaps, it is essential to acknowledge that white women earn more than Black, Hispanic, and Native women. Simultaneously, anti-racists must find common goals shared with other ethnic groups to build solidarity.
Anti-racists are also committed to expanding the voice of underrepresented groups and forming alliances. The role of an alliance is to provide support. It is not an opportunity to play the role of a savior. This support includes financial support, voices when witnessing racism, listening, and demanding more diverse expressions. There may be mistakes, but people must be willing to learn and keep trying to end racism. It is the only way forward in the world.
Everyday ways to fight racism
- Acknowledge and have a clear understanding of your privileges.
One of the first steps in eliminating racism is to learn to recognize and understand one’s privileges. Racial privileges unfold in social, political, economic, and cultural environments. Identifying your rights and using your benefits to break up systemic racism are two ways to start this complex process.
With that said, privilege has other aspects; race just happens to be only one of them. Other aspects such as religion, gender, ability status, socioeconomic status, language, and citizenship status may have an effect on your privilege level. To utilize the privileges that you hold to give power to others, the first thing you need to do is to identify what those privileges are and recognize their consequences.
- Analyze your biases and figure out their origins.
When you were a child, what were you told or taught about people who are different from you? What races/ethnicities made up your neighborhood, school, or religious community? What do you think was the reasoning behind it? These particular experiences give birth to and reinforce biases, stereotypes, and prejudice that can result in discrimination. If we analyze our own prejudices, It will help us ensure equality for everyone. - Give credence to the experiences and emotions of people of color
By supporting other people’s experiences and participating in tough conversations about race and injustice, we can resolve prejudice and recognize privileges. We cannot be scared of discussing mistreatment and discrimination for fear of “failing to understand it correctly.” Take action by learning about the way racism continues to affect our society. For example, watch documentaries such as 13th or read books such as Americanah or Hidden Figures.
As advocates, we listen to survivors of domestic violence and learn about domestic violence. Likewise, the best way to comprehend racial injustice to give an ear to people of color.
- Stand against the “colorblind” ideology.
It is a widespread myth that people live in a “post-racial” and “don’t see color” society. Keeping a “colorblind” ideology alive actually leads to racism.
When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. explained his hope of living in a colorblind world, he did not mean we should ignore race. It is impossible to eliminate racism without recognizing race first. Being “colorblind” ignores much of a person’s identity and dismisses the true injustice that many people face due to race. To work together for equity and equality, we need to see the colors.
- Condemn racist “jokes” or statements
Let people know that racist remarks are not acceptable. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe to confront, disassemble their thinking processes and try to ask questions. For example, “I didn’t quite get the joke. Explain it to me, please.” or “To you, it’s only a joke, but when you say it like that, what you are really saying is this.” Don’t be afraid to talk about it with your loved ones, colleagues, and friends. “Microaggressions” that can appear in the form of racist jokes or statements keep going, and they normalize prejudice and prejudice. Remember, being silent about racist jokes or statements or laughing along means you agree with it and you allow it.
Find out what your company or school is doing to give more opportunities to people of color.
Systemic racism means that there are existing barriers to equal access to wealth, criminal justice, education and housing that are unfair for people of color at work or in school. For example, the African-American Policy Forum (AAPF) reported in 2014 that a 12-year-old girl was expelled and charged with criminal charges for writing “hello” on the locker room wall. Their campaign #Blackgirlsmatter mainly deals with the problem of over-regulated and unprotected black girls within the education system. It is very important that businesses and schools address these issues and create a culture of equity.
References
Copyright © Australian Human Rights Commission, viewed 10, July 2021, https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/education/why-racism-problem
Copyright © 2017 All Rights Reserved, viewed 10, July 2021, https://nnedv.org/latest_update/8-everyday-ways-to-fight-racism/
UID/VAT: ATU75556337 | Registration Number: 534686 d, viewed 10, July 2021, https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/how-can-we-stop-racism/
