Racism is a prominent issue that dramatically impacts many, many people. It remains a huge problem because it can cause lasting harm to those who experience racism. Racism can diminish their quality of life and can lead to feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, and depression. Understanding racism can help you counteract it and can prevent its harm from spreading.
What is Racism?
Racism takes many forms and avenues. These include prejudice, discrimination, or hatred due to an individual’s color, ethnicity, or national origin. Though racism is often thought of as abuse or harassment, it can also include name-calling, jokes, or exclusion. Racism isn’t always obvious and many people experience racism, particularly those from more culturally diverse backgrounds. Migrants and refugees are common recipients of racism, especially when they are new arrivals to the area. Racism can occur anywhere; it is particularly prevalent online and in the media. It can also occur in shops, workplaces, schools, and many other locations.
Why is there Racism?
Racism is not an instinctual behavior that people are born with; racism is a learned behavior. There is a minority of people who still believe that some races are superior to others, which leads to racism. Similarly, there are still some people who believe that multiple races shouldn’t mix. Racism can also stem from fear, anxiety, or ignorance and is often a combination of all three. In these instances, education can go a long way toward preventing racism.
Racism is a problem and it is one that needs to be addressed. We believe in equality for everyone because everyone deserves a good quality of life, regardless of their color. This requires an understanding of why racism occurs and what can be done to prevent it. To learn more about racism and what you can do to combat it, contact us today!