Problems of Inequality & PowerRACISM – HISTORY, CAUSES, PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

“Racism exists when one ethnic group or historical collectivity dominates, excludes, or

seeks to eliminate another on the basis of differences that it believes are hereditary and

unalterable”

- George Fredrickson

What is Racism?

• Racism is defined as the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

• Throughout history racism has influenced wars, slavery, religions, and legal codes.

Racism Throughout History

• The first known sign of racism occurred in the 13th and 14th centuries in Europe with the identification of Jewish people and witchcraft.

• During the 15th and 16th century when the “New World” was being discovered, the Native population was subject to extreme racism, for example the

Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.

• In the 17th century, people from Africa were sent to America as slaves

(PBS, 2003)

History…. Continued

• In January of 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln which ordered for the freedom of slaves. This was a large stepping stone, but racism was still very much alive with segregation, laws, and mistreatments.

• Beginning in 1933, the Nazis under Hitler’s rule began anti-Semitic practices such as boycotts and book burnings. In 1938, Synagogues were destroyed by the Nazis and in 1939, the genocides began. (United States Holocaust Memorial, 2014)

What Causes Racism?• Ignorance of other cultures, religions or ethnic

groups

• Fear of sharing power with other ethnic groups

• Historic patterns of prejudice, discrimination, and racism

• Laws and Government policies

• Xenophobia – the fear of people who are different

• Lack of awareness

• Stereotypes and forming opinions/judging people based on ethnicity

• The idea of feeling superior to someone else

Types of Racism

Racial Discrimination

Institutional Racism

Economic Racism

Cultural Racism

Physical/Mental Abuse

Segregation, racial slurs

Religious discriminati

onCaste

systems, pay

inequality

Cultural stereotypes

Threats, harassment

Examples

Incidents

• A 2013 STUDY BY THE IRISH NETWORK AGAINST RACISM DOCUMENTED REPORTED INCIDENTS AND USED A GRAPH TO SHOW THE BREAKDOWN.

• THE STUDY FOUND THAT SHOUTING/STRONG LANGUAGE AND HARASSMENT WERE THE MOST COMMONLY REPORTED INCIDENTS

(ENAR, 2013)

Racism in Public

“Meet the man behind the blatant racism video”

• Unfortunately, racism can be seen in public places even when children are around.

• In the video, an African-American male started his vehicle which scared the lady’s children. The mother then went on a vicious rant against the male who caught it on film.

• The innocent children heard the entire assault. The mother’s views are being passed down and that is one way how racism stays alive.

Racism in Sports

• Many professional sports organizations have been working to eliminate racism from players and fans alike.

• Strict punishments for racial slurs and discrimination are being used in leagues including the NHL, NFL, and NBA.

• The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is well known for their work against

racism.

Problems Caused by Racism

• Conflict, wars, violence, protests

• Mental health issues including depression and increased suicide rates

• An overall negative effect on society and the population

Solutions

• Realize what racism is and the problems it causes.

Acknowledgement

• Learn about other cultures and ethnicities

• Learn what you can do differently to help prevent racism

Education• Be accepting of all

people• Do not judge or

stereotype• Discourage racism

in others

Action

Theories

A. Conflict Theory• Race and ethnicity can be viewed as a source

for oppression and conflict.

• Role of Coercion

• Marx believed that society is fragmented and different groups compete for social and economic gains.

B. Symbolic Interactionist Theory• Looks at the social status of members of a

certain group

• People learn their identities through interaction with others

• Automatically producing a response when seeing someone from a different ethnicity based on what you know

(Crossman, ND)

References• Crossman, Ashley. (ND) Symbolic Interaction Theory. Retrieved from

http://sociology.about.com/od/Sociological-Theory/a/Symbolic-Interaction-Theory.htm

• ENAR. (2013) Reports of Racism flood in 4 weeks since Ireport.ie Launch. Retrieved from http://enarireland.org/reports-of-racism-flood-in-in-4-weeks-since-ireport-ie-launch/

• Mukherjee, Rupsha. (2014) Top 10 Reasons Why Racism Still Exists. Retrieved from http://listcrux.com/top-10-reasons-why-racism-still-exists/

• PBS & Fredrickson, George. (2003) The Historical Origins and Development of Racism. Stanford University & PBS Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002_04-background-02-01.htm

• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (2014)Anti-Semitism in History: Nazi Anti-Semitism. Retrieved from http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007167

• http://archive.adl.org/hate-patrol/racism.html#.VR8Yf_nF95d