Since human civilization, the concept of racism remains multifaceted, grounded in history, and continues to puzzle humanity on how it came to exist in different societies. Quintessentially, race refers to societal categories that individuals fit into according to observable physical characteristics. Although many perceive race stems from biology, racial classification is a notion built and designed to meet social and political ends (Profant, 2014). The concept of race tremendously impacts society’s functioning, and it influences various dynamics, such as power, access to opportunities and resources, and societal privileges. Racism refers to the marginalization of a particular person or a section of society according to their physical nature (facial features, eye color, shape, hair type ). Quite often and to many people, racism refers to global recognition, privileges, and supremacy given to white people over other communities such as Asians, Africans, Hispanics, Oceania, and Native Americans.
Origin of Racism
As a crucial concept, racism emanated from early scientific interpretation and classification of human society. In the 19th century, scientists formulated a framework that employed visual traits in categorizing human beings into three distinct categories (Fallace, 2016). Using the misinformed formula, they classified humans as Caucasoid (white), Negroid (black), and Mongoloid (east and south East Asians). It is critical to note that the framework defined human races according to perceived continental origin. What ensued after the categorization was prejudice and the assumption that the white race was superior to other races. Consequently, racism obtained a theoretical perspective that there are deeply entrenched biological differences between human races. Also, the framework forbade intermarriages between whites and other races.
Parts of Racism
As stated, racism is a multifaceted phenomenon. Despite that, it is most people perceive it as white supremacy. Racism exists in different settings, contexts, and other communities. It exists as internalized or individual, interpersonal, institutional, and structural racism. Internalized racism refers to the act of hating or despising one’s race or culture. In most times, individual racialism occurs unknowingly (Diangelo, 2006). Internalized racism stems from an individual’s sense of oppression or privilege that influences a person’s feelings about their culture. Also, internalized racism results from other forms of racism that trigger a person to decide whether or not to appreciate their race. Interpersonal racism exists between individuals from different racial backgrounds. It involves having a bad or repulsive attitude toward another person due to their race. Interpersonal racism remains one of the adverse forms of racial discrimination because it involves perpetrators and victims.
There is no doubt that both internalized and interpersonal racism do not exist in isolation. Also, based on their nature, they must have a similar and definite origin. Typically, human cultural and institutional standards set the pace for societal unfairness and inequality. Institutional racism stems from cultural and institutional norms that favor a skewed human society. In such a setting, all privileges and benefits belong to a particular racial group to the detriment of other races. Also, the operations of various institutions largely influence the occurrence of racism, although they primarily do not intend to (Tate & Page, 2018). This phenomenon is structural racism. The most common indicators of structural racism consist of power and income inequalities, unmatched access to opportunities, and policies founded on racial standards. Structural racism emanates from complex factors that make it durable and hard to eradicate.
Color of Fear: A discourse on racism
In the documentary Color of Fear, various individuals express their views and experiences on racism that reflect the situations they have gone through. The discussion focuses on developing an understanding of racism in America. In the debate, participants express how their struggles to be accommodated and accepted in a racially fragmented society characterized by white domination. The documentary will serve as a vital tool in addressing the queries prompted by this assignment.
Although the discussion generally centers on racial discrimination in America, through accounts given by the participants, one can easily discern various forms of racism affecting each individual. In the first instance, one recognizes the existence of internalized racism in the discussion. Based on the personal descriptions given by the participants, it is clear that most of them unknowingly resented their races because they felt unaccepted as Americans. Also, another participant describes himself as all-American, stating that he would always love to be recognized as American, although he is of Asian descent. The issue of cultural identity is a critical focus of the documentary. Moreover, a member clearly states that he attended the forum because he is racist, and he has unsuccessfully tried to deal with that reality.
The documentary also focuses on interpersonal racism. Through the accounts given by participants, some members exert some form of hatred towards other races due to various factors. For instance, many members express painful experiences of racism that adversely affected their lives and decisions. Additionally, members of minority communities discuss racial incidences that occur between themselves.
The discussion in The Color of Fear also highlights institutional racism. Various members discuss how American society requires other races to form white standards so they can fit into certain professions or become acceptable to the white races. Also, the discussion exposes how social institutions perceive other races as inferior to whites. Structural racism emerges in the discourse. Participants explained their experiences in institutions where they became disadvantaged due to their racial affiliation. For instance, the improper treatment of black communities by institutions such as law enforcement indicates structural racism (“The Color Of Fear (1994) Full-Length Documentary”, 2020).
Relevance of the discourse to the present situation
Even though this discussion was in the 1990s, elements of racism like structural racism are still present in America and other parts of the world (Selod, 2018). According to (Fast & Collin,2010), in Canada, people of Aboriginal descent are severely marginalized and underdeveloped. Canada has been under the United Nations’ radar due to notable disparities between its populations. In the USA, most members arrested and convicted come from the black community (Brooklier, 2017). Much of the racism forms that existed decades ago are still present in contemporary societies. However, internalized racism has reduced through the creation of awareness on the importance of self-appreciation. Today, most countries and organizations have developed measures and strategies that embrace cultural differences (Kolivoski et al., 2014). Education also serves as a vital tool in cultivating self-appreciation through disciplines like sociology and history. According to Miller & Garran (2016), dialogue and communication cannot achieve much in the fight against racism if there is no devotion and commitment. It is crucial to recognize the damages inflicted by racism and draft the necessary reconciliatory and restoration measures. As noted (Coates, 2014), dismantling racism by destroying its historical background is futile. To completely contain the situation, resources should be deployed to dismantle institutional racialism. In this context, practical reparation strategies should be considered.
Vital aspects are omitted in the discourse.
The discussion encompasses all dimensions of racism, paying keen attention to interpersonal, institutional, and structural racism. Even though these concepts are discussed in-depth, how to solve them remains unclear. In particular, structural and institutional racism is entrenched deeply in society, and it is a difficult task to shake all these institutions in attempting to bring equality and tranquility between different races in America. Although the discussion exposes the prevalence of racism in society, it does not draft a way to address structural and institutional racism. Moreover, the discussion concentrates much on white supremacy and somehow overlooks interpersonal racism existing between the minority races.
Significance of the discourse in challenging racism
Throughout the discussion, members from the minority air out their experiences in an attempt to make the white members develop an understanding of their experiences. Although they seem unmoved at first, it gradually hits them that the white community has tormented and oppressed other races for reasons beyond their control (“The Color Of Fear (1994) Full Length Documentary”, 2020). One of the productive solutions suggested by the white embers is a practical dialogue to iron out all racial problems in society. As identified by most members in the discussion, communication offers an opportunity for oppressed individuals to express their frustrations, disappointment, and intolerance. One of the most effective solutions to racism is communication, affirmation, and acknowledgment. By recognizing that racial disparities play a crucial in the organization of society, acknowledgment commences an informed and healthy discussion on racism.
Also, as stated in the discussion, many people choose not to disclose the incidences of racial discrimination. Failure to express oneself results in rage. As noted by Miller & Garran (2016), a lack of communication links directly to anger and temper. Typically, it develops as an ordinary human response to discrimination, oppression, devaluation, and domination. However, as (Hardy, 2013) suggests, anger can be modified and restructured into an essential tool to heal racial wounds. By re-channeling their anger, individuals develop a strong sense of self-assurance and can use traumatic experiences to develop themselves into confident and better persons. Countering racial devaluation is another useful strategy for healing racial harm, as suggested by (Hardy, 2013). By providing extensive physical, psychological, and behavioral resources, individuals develop a sense of belonging and immunity against racial-related discrimination and assault in the future. Countering racial discrimination is also vital in developing coping strategies for much-needed attacks on an individual sense of self.
It is agreeable that mitigating racial disparities is not an easy affair; it takes a simple decision to change one’s mindset. Overcoming racism is an arduous journey that requires humanity to address historical injustices and reconfigure the current racially entrenched social, economic, and political foundations. Among various strategies discussed in the documentary and also from studies, the most practical solution is dialogues. According to (Miller & Garran, 2016), communication is a monumental tool that can challenge and destroy internalized and interpersonal racism and promote respect, appreciation, understanding, and collaboration between people. Besides, dialogue enables individuals to come together and reflect on how they relate with different types of people in a society built along racial lines.
Application of the discourse on other issues
Although the documentary focuses on addressing discrimination, it is critical to note that it can be useful in addressing other controversial such as religious, cultural, and economic disparities. Firstly, the documentary involves participants from diverse religious backgrounds. Using dialogue, each participant can express aspects of their culture and how they feel oppressed or infringed by other religions. In that context, members develop an understanding of other religious beliefs, appreciation, and tolerance for diverse religions.
One of the significant features of modern civilization is the interaction between different cultures. Unfortunately, globalization has led to eroding cultures perceived as minor and primitive. In this context, the approaches employed in the documentary and the content are useful in addressing the implications of cultural interaction. As noted by Miller & Garran (2016), dialogue involves raising critical questions, taking risks, and altering or expanding one’s point of view. Arguably, dialogue eradicates prejudices by enhancing the understanding of other people’s history, culture, and life experiences. Apart from religious and cultural disparities, dialogue can be useful in addressing contemporary controversial issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. The most vital aspect of dialogue is that it brings out all bottled experiences into the open, contrary to the denial approach taken by society.
Racial discrimination has remained a global concern for many centuries. Arguably, much of the efforts to fight racism face challenges because it is rooted in history and institutions. Racism continues to constrict human development by aligning people along racial lines. Although sometimes underestimated, it is critical to note that most disparities in the world today emanate from racism. From a historical perspective, racism set the pace for economic inequality between different races, populations, and countries. Also, racism put in place past and current gender disparities. Additionally, racialism took part in forging the current cultural and religious conflict witnessed throughout human history.
Reference
Brooklier, N. (2017). The color of justice: race, ethnicity, and crime in America. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 28(4), 620–622. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2016.1257416
Coates, T. (2014, May). The case for reparations. The Atlantic. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic. com/features/archive/2014/05/the-case-for-reparations/361631
DiAngelo, R. J. (2006). My Class Didn’t Trump My Race: Using Oppression to Face Privilege. Multicultural Perspectives, 8(1), 51–56. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327892mcp0801_9
Fallace, T. D. (2016). Educators confront the ‘science’ of racism, 1898–1925. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 48(2), 252–270. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2015.1088067
Fast, E., & Collin-Vézina, D. (2010). Historical trauma, race-based trauma and resilience of indigenous peoples: A literature review. First Peoples Child & Family Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Honouring the Voices, Perspectives, and Knowledges of First Peoples through Research, Critical Analyses, Stories, Standpoints and Media Reviews, 5(1), 126-136.
Hardy, K. V. (2013). Healing the hidden wounds of racial trauma. Reclaiming Children and Youth, 22(1), 24.
Kolivoski, K. M., Weaver, A., & Constance-Huggins, M. (2014). Critical race theory: Opportunities for application in social work practice and policy. Families in Society, 95(4), 269–276. https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.2014.95.36
Miller, J. L., & Garran, A. M. (2018). Racial Dialogue: Talking About Race and Racism. In Racism in the United States. Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826148858.0008
Profant, T. (2014). Race, Racism, and Development. Interrogating History, Discourse, and Practice. Forum for Development Studies, 41(3), 565–573. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039410.2014.871786
Reference
Selod, S. (2018). Islamophobia and Racism in America. Contemporary Sociology: A Journal of Reviews, 47(5), 607–609. https://doi.org/10.1177/0094306118792220bb
Tate, S. A., & Page, D. (2018). Whiteliness and institutional racism: hiding behind (un)conscious bias. Ethics and Education, 13(1), 141–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449642.2018.1428718
The Color Of Fear (1994) Full-Length Documentary. (2020). Retrieved 29 October 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nmhAJYxFT4
