Racism believes that there are groups of people with particular characteristics that place them in a higher or lower position in relation to others. Manifestations of racism can be not only open, such as the treatment of people based on their race or skin color, but also hidden when a society is systematically guided by a biased opinion in relation to any of its groups. Racism and racial discrimination undermine the foundations of the dignity of an individual, as they aim to divide the human family, to which all peoples and people belong, into different categories, marking some of them more worthy than others. History has repeatedly confirmed that, with the slightest connivance, discrimination, racism, and intolerance violate the very foundations of society and damage them for several generations.
Racist behavior breeds racial discrimination, with its obvious negative consequences, ranging from the simple neglect or disregard of those considered different or inferior to more pronounced forms of harassment, exploitation, or exclusion. Bonilla-Silva states that minimizing racism is a framework that assumes that discrimination is no longer a major factor affecting people’s lives (41). Skin color is one of the most arbitrary ways of distinguishing between people that humanity has ever invented. Although racism exists in modern society, people still have the opportunity to fight it and prevent new racist groups.
I believe racism has no place in modern society, as it is wrong to divide people into “higher” and “lower” levels. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of governments and individual groups to combat racism and racial discrimination, racism has not yet been completely eradicated. In this case, it is probably right for each individual to take a position on racism and discrimination and act accordingly. The road to a world free of racism requires political interference and long-term commitment, making it quite challenging. However, so far, people have done very little and done it too slowly.
In my opinion, people are experiencing a lack of knowledge. Some countries are multinational, and in other countries, different foreigners study and live, but despite this, people sometimes treat visitors inadequately negatively and show aggression towards them. No one works with people in terms of education, and they are not told what a multinational country is or how it is necessary to treat foreigners visiting their native land. In this event, I consider that there should be organized training groups or training in schools and universities to treat people of other nationalities. Education plays an important role, as it helps to form in people specific knowledge and understanding of situations regarding behavior with different people.
As for the fight against racism at the state level, it naturally takes place. The results show that this does not bring much benefit. Racists continue to exhibit aggressive behavior and often go unpunished for it. Of course, it is difficult for people who do not work in the political and legislative spheres to change something at the state level. Still, we can actively participate in proposals for introducing anti-racist laws. As a suggestion, a law or an act to increase punishment for racist actions can be introduced. There can also be imposed a penalty in the form of psychological testing and correction for people who show cruelty to people of another race or nationality.
I would join a group or create my own that would aim to work with people with their education about racism. They would include lessons on racial equality, joint activities with people of other races, as well as evenings of dating and socializing with each other. At such events, people from different countries could share the peculiarities of their cultures, religions, and traditions. Perhaps such actions could convey to people that all of us are equal, and there is no difference in what color our skin is.
Today, the problem of racism affects many aspects of people’s lives. Racism exists everywhere, for example, in schools where both black and white children are educated, in universities, and even in the workplace. People with high qualifications and a high level of knowledge can be denied employment just because they are black. This problem is also worth fighting, and it can be done by applying a system of incentives for companies that hire black people and fines for companies that refuse them.
In conclusion, the problem of racism is indeed acute and needs to be addressed. People need to realize that in modern society, everyone is equal, and to consider themselves superior to someone else only by the color of their skin is unacceptable. The idea of racial equality should be instilled in everyone, without exception, and from childhood, from the moment when the worldview is formed. Now this problem exists in the minds of adults and modern teenagers, and to prevent its further spread, it is necessary to take active measures. Fortunately, there are many solutions, and I am also ready for actions that impact stopping the spread of the problem of racism.
Work Cited
Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. Racism without Racists. Rowman & Littlefield, 2018.