According to Merriam-Webster, racism is a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. We live in a society now where people are highly offended to be called a racist instead of taken by their actions. Having conversations with many people, on the discussion of racism, I discovered that this epidemic is far from ending.
From my understanding, racism is more than one individual acts. But instead a consistent pattern of ignorance and spite over many years from a wide range of individuals. Now, racism can hold different meanings amongst many people, however, the term sits heavy on those who struggle with systematic racism in this country.
My junior year in high school, I was sitting at my desk in my U.S. History class and we were having a huge discussion, that eventually turned into a debate about affirmative action (which means the practice or policy of favoring individuals belonging to groups known to have been discriminated against previously). One of the students in my class made a statement saying "if my dad [white male] can do it why couldn't a black man do it" his words caused the hair on my arms to rise. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, but at the same time I could. This is coming from a boy who has never walked a mile in black man's shoe. How could he make that judgment?
I'll tell you how, he was making an assumption. And you know what they say about assumptions.
Racism isn't just black and white, either. I feel that's an assumption many make because throughout the years its been painted that way. There are Hispanic people who despise black people and there are black people who find themselves superior to Hispanic people.
There is more to the issue than black and white.
Systematic racism is apparent in many ways, such as wealth, education, employment, criminal justice, housing, surveillance, and healthcare. I've made a very distinct observation, if it's not happening to you then you turn the other way. Well, today I'm informing you that racism is going to remain relevant because it is cancerous to society. And just like cancer, it affects not only one person but multiple people.
In the end, I believe that it's important to have a conversation about racism. If your friends, neighbors, or teacher are majority white, black, Asian, or Hispanic then you are a part of the problem. It's important to have those conversations with your own family. Talk about social injustices, discrimination, privilege, and racism. In order to reach a goal, you have to start somewhere.
