Racism: what causes it?
Racism is never something that happens randomly or without stimulus. It is the result of constant exposure to certain factors that shape our personal responses.
Upbringing
Parents can have a massive effect on their children. Everytime they react harshly to a person of another race they are teaching their children the subconscious message that this is ‘the right thing to do’. Hatred inherited from family is the hardest to eradicate as it is so deeply embedded in a person’s personality. It can become part of what they are.
Peer pressure
Your friends can have a similar affect on you to your parents. After all these are your chosen favourite companions so you are most likely to listen to them. It is also very difficult to stand up to your friends as you risk rejection. This means that you are more likely to go along with their behaviour and adopt it yourself.
Personal experience
If you are assaulted by a person of another race you are likely to adopt a fear of people of that race. This isn’t your fault; it is a natural human reaction for self-preservation. Likewise a colleague or a friend who betrays you is likely to colour your opinion of that person’s race and culture. It is hard to kick racism born from personal experience; it goes against your survival instinct.
Written by Harry
Note – A special thank you to the people who commented on the previous post ‘Are you Racist?’. Your commentary wrote most of this post. Your feedback is most welcome and always welcome.
Let me start with saying…I really appreciate the conversation. This is the type of blog that makes me think.
The Personal Experience category left me with questions. When I was younger I heard an older man use the word gook in refrence to another person from vietnam. My first thought was “that was really racist”. As I got to know the man that had made that comment I learned that he had gone to war in vietnam. As he explained to me your out look towards someone changes as they shoot a gun at you and your buddies. It seemed to justify his racial comment in my head at the time.
I read this post today and was struck by the line…”If you are assaulted by a person of another race you are likely to adopt a fear of people of that race. This isn’t your fault; it is a natural human reaction for self-preservation.”
IS IT REALLY? If I get assaulted by a person of another race should I be taken back by all people of that race or just that person that assulted me. Sooner or later that fear will turn to hate. Is it my fault that I hate that race now? I argue that it is. I am judging indivduals on their race rather then my interaction with them individually. I might end up hating or fearing the worlds nicest person simply because of their skin color.
So that leads me back to my orginial comment about the man calling someone else a “gook”. Is it justified? I now have to answer that with a NO.
I might be convinced he could discriminate against people with guns but not solely on their race.
isualum
December 1, 2006
You’re welcome isualum.
The Personal Experience category is a sensitive one. After all you wouldn’t tell a person who had been assaulted by a white man that all white people were their friends. They may well be but it is too sensitive to suggest to the person.
It is not right to categorise people based on bad experience but it is understandable. War can often colour people’s perspective on other races.
Whatever happens racism is never justified. We just need people to build the bridge of understanding between races and kill the long-standing mistrust.
Harry
December 3, 2006
i like candy
samson
April 14, 2008
Fuck all yo nigaz i hope yas die!
samson
April 14, 2008
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HIRA
May 8, 2008
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jasleen
May 8, 2008
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Jeni Bbz..
September 11, 2008
yes!i’m latina i do love my latinas sisters.but i really have a hatered for all hispanic men and black guys. is because most of them are love to cheat sleep around most of the hispanic men and blacks are brought up in disfuntional homes they are rasise up to be acoholics drugdeals abuseve cheaters liars and uneducated men.that’s why i only go for caucasian men,
i’m sorry but that’s the truth i don’t know how to get it off this but i can’t help it i do teach my 7 year old daughter that when she grows up she is only to date caucasian men only and she can’t disappoint me at all.
SARA
January 29, 2009
Thatis the most racist ignorent thing i’ve heard
this is to sara
alex brown
August 26, 2009
omg.ur all crazy
tamara
February 3, 2009