Racial sensitivity: definition
Racial sensitivity is a term that refers to racism and can be described as an attempt to separate human beings by raising their awareness about their race, skin color, ethnic origin, or nationality. It has over the centuries posed and continues to be a great hindrance to harmonious living among peoples and societies of the world. Wars have been fought; conflicts continue to take place both within and without societies and people have been displaced from their original settlements as a result of racial intolerance. Racial sensitivity undermines the fact there are only one species of human beings who trace their roots to the same ancestor and that every person has a right to life and to be involved fully in the development of the society that they are living in. It also ignores the fact that human beings only appear different if assessed based on historical and cultural backgrounds, geographical locations, social and economic factors, and that such differences can in no way be used to describe a human being (Boxill Bernard R).
Racial sensitivity leads to a situation whereby those affected by it undergo a lot of suffering about such issues as gender, politics, religion, and language among others. It has therefore become a common phenomenon in societies today that most people view differently those who do not belong with them and this has created complexes either of superiority or inferiority among different societies or even different groups within the same society. Any decent society that wishes to develop must therefore deal with ethnicity as it has adverse effects on society at large (McGoldrick Monica).
Racial sensitivity operates on three main levels namely individual, institutional and cultural levels. Individual racism leads to a feeling of inferiority and an individual experiences very low esteem and a concept of oneself that is highly inadequate. Institutional forms of racial discrimination range from issues related to the system of education, high levels of unemployment among certain groups, harassment by the police, and uneven distribution of essential social amenities. Cultural racism reflects a majority trying to decide what is socially valuable. People tend to place great value on familiar things a din such way, various aspects of culture will reflect the prejudice for example language, religion, economics, and education. Through cultural racism, for example, there has been a widespread belief that Western and European cultures are more superior and should be emulated. It is important therefore that every effort is made to promote views that portray all cultures and languages as acceptable and of great value to society. Persistent efforts towards achieving this goal will certainly yield some positive results (Brick Neil).
The root causes of racial sensitivity can be traced back to slavery and the slave trade. During this era, slaves were transported from Africa and Asia and sold to slave masters in America and Britain. The Slave trade has been described as one of the worst organized crimes against humanity. As a result of this slave trade people of African and Asian descent have been experiencing widespread discrimination resulting in the abuse of human rights. Another factor that contributed greatly to racial sensitivity in the course of history is the aspect of colonialism. This like the slave trade also mostly affected African and Asian countries and resulted in untold suffering among the people affected. The effects of colonialism that are mostly negative continue to be experienced in these countries up to today especially because of the system of governance that colonial master established in their colonies. Such evils as the apartheid system in South Africa can be traced back to the aspect of colonialism.
Racial sensitivity fails to recognize the fact that all human beings belong to one large family that is richly diversified and that the world has benefited from such diversity in the considerable growth that has resulted from different civilizations and cultures throughout the history of mankind. Such atrocities against humanity as the world wars, the apartheid system, and the nazi regime among others are some of the negative effects of racial sensitivity from which we must learn. These wrongs were inflicted on human beings by others of the same kind because of the simple fact of failure to recognize others as equal to themselves. Despite rigorous efforts by various organizations and governments all over the world to control racial sensitivity and efforts to advocate equality, racial discrimination has continued to rise and human beings have been enslaved to some kind of intolerance towards one another. This has resulted in the continued violation of human rights (McGoldrick Monica).
Aspects of society and human rights
Despite the interconnection between the social, political, cultural, and civil aspects of society and human rights, racial sensitivity tries to put boundaries to separate them and this aspect has led to slackened development in many societies. Trying to separate these aspects of society along racial lines means that the smooth and proper development of any society is interfered with. These aspects are indivisible because of their interconnection and any attempt to divide them has contributed to uneven distribution of social amenities, uneven development, high levels of poverty due to marginalization of some areas among other effects. Cultural diversity for example is an asset that should be accepted, respected, and valued by any society but not used as a forum for discrimination against some communities. The diversity brought by various cultures into a society serves to enrich the cultural background of such a society.
Racial sensitivity has largely been attributed to the underdevelopment of countries in the less developed countries of Africa for example. As a result, levels of social and economic development vary from one area to another with some areas experiencing abject poverty and underdevelopment. In such countries, there is an unequal distribution of basic social amenities and also infrastructure. The boundaries set up by colonial masters have largely contributed to this because of the division of regions based on their productivity. This has led to uneven distribution of infrastructure meaning that some areas continue to develop as others lag in development. Basic social amenities such as schools and health institutions are still unreachable to a great number of people in these countries and poverty continues to afflict large numbers of the population. Levels of literacy vary from society to society depending on accessibility to education facilities and as a result, semi-illiteracy remains a hindrance to development in some areas. High infant mortality resulting from a lack of adequate health facilities continues to affect many societies in this continent.
Armed conflicts
Armed conflicts are a common characteristic among African countries. This results from political differences as rebels try to oust from power those regimes that were established by colonial masters. The political and legal structures set up by these masters have failed to match with diversity in ethnicity, language, and culture that are characteristic of many of these countries. Colonial masters divided people along ethnic lines creating a form of discrimination that resulted in some tribes and cultures feeling superior over others. This was done based on royalty to colonial masters.
As a result, the indigenous people have lived with a feeling that the powers governing them have been imposed on them and they have resulted in armed conflicts to oust such regimes. Such conflicts have resulted in hampering socio-economic growth in such countries not forgetting the extent of violation of human rights that results from such conflicts. Many people have found themselves seeking refugee status in other countries or have lived in the same status in their own countries as internally displaced persons. No nation can develop properly if its people are always on the move as there are aspects of society such as agriculture that require serious attention to give any results. Every state must treat all its citizens as equal by advocating freedom for all and protecting basic human rights. It is only when citizens experience social, civil, cultural, economic, and political stability that they can be able to contribute to the development of their society.
The boundaries set up by colonial masters along tribal lines led to situations where some areas were marginalized resulting in unequal distribution of resources in many societies. Marginalization means that the provision of basic social amenities favors some regions over others. After the masters left, the governments that were left in power continued with the same trend and this has been a root cause of ethnic intolerance in many countries where some communities have felt disadvantaged over others and the need to change the system of governance to set up one that recognizes their needs is what has led to political upheaval in many countries. The feeling of social discrimination has also led to ethnic cleansing among many communities as people try to forcefully reclaim what they believe belongs to them (Reilly Kevin, Kaufman Stephen, Bodino Angela).
Racial ethnicity has constantly raised the awareness for equality among all human beings and various organizations have as a result been set up to advocate for equality in observing basic human rights. But equality overlooks several factors such as gender, cultural and historical background. In consideration of cultural, economic, social, and other aspects of society, different groups demand different needs, and a lot of consideration must be made when meeting these needs. Equality should never conflict with or ignore the fact that society is made up of very diverse cultures, which must be held together. The spirit of shared identity and belonging together should be advocated through respect for the diversity of these cultures. It is in this respect of the diversity of values that the principle of human rights steps in to act as a good framework upon which differences in culture can be handled and upon which society can be united. World growth has however depended on various cultures that have given rise to diverse civilizations. If can be promoted and respected at the same time, it would give very good results in the development of any society (McGoldrick Monica).
Racial sensitivity and the Internet
Advanced technology has turned the world into one big village through the introduction of the Internet or the world wide web (www). The Internet has become a source of any information that anyone would want to have access to. This form of technology has especially been embraced by the youth or young adults and any negative material propagating racism that they get access to will greatly influence their attitude and input towards society. The youth form the backbone of every society and their developments should therefore be checked if any society wishes to continue existing. Those responsible for putting in the material on the web should devise a method of controlling the type of information that is put that can raise social sensitivity. The Internet however provides a very good channel through which racial sensitivity can be controlled by depositing on the Internet any materials that advocate equal treatment of all individuals (Brick Neil).
Racial sensitivity has led to a tendency to conceal the truth about history. People no longer want to be associated with their past for various reasons ranging from cultural to social reasons. Even though history may contribute greatly to some awareness of racial sensitivity, it is important that historical facts that have taken place over centuries be taught in schools. This should be done to expose the root causes of racial sensitivity and how they can be avoided in modern-day society. This is because modern-day racism owes its existence to historical events that happened in society. Efforts must be made therefore to create societies that are based on equality of all, justice as well solidarity. The education system should create room for the inclusion of human rights education for school-going children to wipe out any ideologies that they may be holding that are grounded on racial superiority. It is important to shape the behavior of these young people and to influence their attitudes based on such principles as mutual respect, tolerating one another, and non-discrimination (McGoldrick Monica).
Semi-illiteracy has always been a good ground upon which racial sensitivity has operated. This is through the assumption that people may not be aware of who they are or what belongs to them. Racial sensitivity can therefore be eradicated by ensuring that quality education is accessible and affordable to children and young people in every society. Through education, societies can become more inclusive as people will have a better understanding of issues that can unite them regardless of nationality, culture, race, and ethnic background and it will also be easy to create friendships (Brick Neil).
The media has at times been attributed to the promotion of racial sensitivity by putting across messages that are not very friendly across the media. This is especially in times when political temperatures are high such as the times of elections and the media has acted in the promotion of false images and stereotypes that sound negative about certain people. Vernacular radio stations for example have received an accusing finger from many governments over their contribution to political unrest in times of heated politics. The media however has the capacity and should be able to play a great role in fighting racism (Glaser J, Kahn KB).
Religion
Another source of racial sensitivity is religion. This is because of a tendency among human beings to undermine or consider others of an inferior religion. It is an aspect that has even led to wars as people try to convert others. Because of religion’s role in determining how people co-exist and treat one another, this form of spirituality and belief in some divine being or deity can be a good ground for emphasizing the importance of human dignity and what it is worth.
Migrant populations have been victims to the effects of racial sensitivity whereby we find that in many cases, they are looked at as inferior. But the migrant community in any society should be evaluated based on the economic, cultural, and social value that they bring to the society they are living in and the input back to their home countries. Need therefore arises to create an atmosphere of harmony with these people as a way of eliminating racial sensitivity towards them (Brick Neil).
Conclusion
It is a matter of great concern that some form of the superiority of certain races and cultures over others that were characteristic of the colonial era continues to be considered today. As a society, we must change our way of thinking towards what is commonly described as sameness or differences. Describing people based on certain characteristics is labeling them and labels can be very dangerous. This is because labels give a clear outline of who someone is or who they are not. If we have to survive as the human race, such issues that blind us into seeing others as the same as ourselves must completely be done away with. It is important and should be the duty of every person to create more room in their lives to be able to put up with our differences. Our identity as human beings emphasizes the common relationship that we have with each other as human beings.
References
Boxill Bernard R. Race and Racism Published 2001. Oxford University Press.
Brick Neil MA Ed. Author E-mail: [email protected]. Modern Racism and Its Psychosocial Effects on Society 2003. Web.
Chong Dennis. Rational Lives: Norms and Values in Politics and Society. University of Chicago Press 2000.
Glaser J, Kahn KB. Prejudice and discrimination and the Internet. The Social Net: Understanding Human Behaviour in Cyberspace, 2005. Web.
McGoldrick Monica. Re-Visioning Family Therapy: Race, Culture, and Gender in Clinical Practice. Guilford Press 2000.
Reilly Kevin, Kaufman Stephen, Bodino Angela. Racism: A Global Reader Published 2003.
Skaine Rosemarie. Power and Gender: Issues in Sexual Dominance and Harassment 1996. United Nations Commission on Human Rights Durban, South Africa.
Declaration of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance – United Nations Declaration 2001. Web.