Racism: Brief Theory and Solution

Everyday a child returns home from school with bruises and cuts because of their skin color. Everyday a woman is denied equal pay because she is a woman. Everyday bombs are dropped and innocent lives taken because they are different.

“In April 1865
Abraham Lincoln died.
In April 1968
Martin Luther King died.
Their purpose was to have us say, some day:
Injustice died.”

To eliminate racism I believe that it must first begin within the individual; then the family, community, churches, sociopolitical institutions, government and finally the world. Above all, we must stop teaching our children prejudice, discrimination and hate. Our world is a boiling pot whose steam inflicts many burns. There are various factors that contribute to this pathology. Perhaps, some individuals are shrewd and spiteful due to their competition over scarce resources or maybe some have been raised in a home that cultivated hatred and sadness. Stereotypes, which are mostly negative, form cognitive frameworks, belief systems, about social groups. It suggests that all the members within that particular group share the same characteristics, which in turn cunningly influences social thought. These beliefs systems are additionally strengthen by implicit and explicit information. For instance, when a person hears information that is consistent with the stereotype they pay close attention and retain specific details which reinforces the behavior. Information that is inconsistent to a person’s stereotype, such as love, tolerance and peace, is quickly discarded.

People need to become educated about prejudice and discrimination. They need to understand the psychological, and sociological impact of racism. We need to become more honest in our schools and utilize curriculum that is objective and accurate about U.S history and world history. This must be a multi-faceted effort. If we want peace, we all have to make a lifelong contribution towards peace. I believe there is good work in organizing peaceful coalitions in our communities that educate the children, the teenagers, the adults and the elderly. We have to be loud and persistent. People, civilians and government, have to hear our voice. Every one of us is unique and equipped with gifts and talents and I think that if the young people organized more broadly and systematically we can all have the opportunity to contribute our time. I comment this because the biggest excuse I hear when someone doesn’t feel like standing up for the greater good is because they have no time. But, I tell you! We contribute our peace and tolerance every day through conscious choice. Our actions truly stand the test. How we treat people in our daily interactions is significant and reveals a great deal about one’s character. Contradiction is the person who claims they are not racist, however they turn around and judge and convict everyone around them. Standing against racism is standing up against the darkness that humans have always known: fear, condemnation, and hate.

Solutions:

Practice tolerance, love and understanding. Become a voice and a light for the cause. Teach our children love.

Organize coalitions in community. Educate community, protest, rally, hold educational forums, have parties, pressure government , involve media. The coalition groups should be networked/affiliated with other groups from all over the country. Hold national rally that Pause for Peace.

Pressure government to seek peace first.. The political ideologies that are valued and practiced in a country impacts the individual tremendously. We are expected to abide by laws and remain peaceful, but when your country drops atomic bombs on countries, kills millions, lies, cheats and steals, and deceives it’s people, it sends an awful message that indirectly condones the behavior. It is ingrained in U.S. culture that we need to always, or most of the time, use military intervention to solve defense problems. We need to Stand up to our government and tell them we want a peaceful alternative.

Allocate national budget monies for more social programs, housing programs, education programs, and do not give 400 billion to the Defense Department.

Technology is evolving at a faster rate ever known to man. There are many new technologies in the field of gene therapy, cloning and fetal research. There is the threat of increased stigmatization and racism, but only if we allow it.

Are there individuals who are interested in building community coalitions to provide education, model love, peace and tolerance, and ultimately contribute there time for the greater good; to the moral survival of mankind, and for the love and respect in the Almighty? Let us gather in love and organize a peaceful movement that defends the rights and liberties of mankind men, woman and children of every single race, religion, culture or creed.