'Racism...what's that?'

Especially for those who might still be in some denial about this subject, I will start at the beginning.

Racism is a belief or ideology that all members of each racial group possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, but especially to distinguish that race as being either superior or inferior to another racial group or racial groups.

Merriam Webster's dictionary defines racism as a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capabilities (when in fact it is the Spirit that is the main determinant) and that certain racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular racial group. It is also the prejudice based on such a belief. Macquarie dictionary defines racism as: "the belief that human races have distinctive characteristics which determine their respective values, usually involving the false idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule or dominate others. The concept that discrimination can be based on "race" presupposes the existence of "race" itself. However, even the United States government's, Human Genome project, has announced that the most complete mapping of human DNA to date, indicates that there is no distinct genetic basis to racial types

Racism is the erroneously perpetuated belief, that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person's social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics, rather than their innate spirit. Racial separatism is the belief, most of the time based on racism, that different races should remain segregated and apart from one another.

Racism is destructive. It dis-empowers people by devaluing their identity. It destroys community cohesion and creates fake divisions in society. It is the opposite of the democratic principle of the equal rights of all people to be treated fairly. An understanding of the nature of racism is essential in order to recognize and counter it successfully. Racism is a global phenomenon which is influenced by a range of historical, social, political and economic factors. It takes different forms in different contexts and as a result has been defined in many different ways. For example In Australia, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1998) states that Racism is an ideology that gives expression to myths about other than caucasian racial and ethnic groups, that devalues and renders inferior those groups, and is perpetuated by deeply rooted historical, social, cultural and power inequalities in society. Racism is the result of a complex interplay of individual attitudes, social values and institutional practices, motivated by the intent to deceive and exploit.

Racism is the lowest, most crudely primitive form of "... the notion of ascribing moral, social or political significance to a man's genetic lineage -- the notion that a man's intellectual and character traits are produced and transmitted by his internal body chemistry. "...which means, in practice, that a man is to be judged, not by his own character and actions, but by the characters and actions of a collective of ancestors. "Racism claims that the content of a man's mind (not his cognitive apparatus) is inherited; that a man's convictions, values and character are determined before he is born, by physical and material rather than Spiritual forces beyond his control. " This is the caveman's version of the doctrine of biologically inherited knowledge -- which has been thoroughly refuted by philosophy and science even, not to talk of other educational disciplines. Racism is a doctrine of, by and for brutes. "It is a barnyard or stock-farm version of collectivism, appropriate to a mentality that differentiates between various breeds of animals, but not between animals and men".

Racism is repeatedly treating someone differently and especially unfairly, simply because they belong to a different race or culture. People can also experience prejudice because of their religion or nationality. It is illegal to treat people differently or unfairly because of their race and no one has the right to make you feel bad or abuse you. Racism is the cancer of our society. Racism is old and racism is a disease.

It is the intentional or unintentional use of power to isolate, separate and exploit others. Racism is more than just a personal attitude; it is the institutionalized form of the attitude". Racism is subtle but still exists beneath the surface, it is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Did you know for instance, that racism is rife in Britain's schools and has surfaced several times? It takes two distinct forms: racist teachers and racist kids. Last year, government-funded research by the university of Warwick caused a stir by seeming to prove, conclusively, that children of African heritage are the victims of ‘institutionalized racism' and, more specifically, ‘teacher racism' It amazes me that this news could come as a surprise to anyone who has been residing in the UK for more than 6 months. You would have had to be living under a stone somewhere not to be aware of this, but 'denial' like 'cognitive dissonance', is a powerful mental defense mechanism.

So where do you stand on the subject of racism? Are your actions for it, against it, or are you just sitting on the fence?


by Rev.Bola A
(copyright: 21Oct09 -ARR)