Racial discrimination
Among the many social problems that social groups face worldwide, racial discrimination is one of the deadliest. Racial discrimination is a type of discrimination against a person based on their skin, race, or ethnic group. It is one of the many problems facing many social groups. We discuss a common problem, but no significant changes or improvements throughout the generations. One can encounter racial discrimination in various ways, from business settings, school settings, legal settings, or even social settings. It is sad to note that among the several cases reported of racial discrimination, infants or children are among the many victims. These are innocent souls who have come into this world without choosing which ethnic group they belong to or what skin color to acquire. It is absurd that this can as well as apply to adults too. We were all infants at one time, and no one has the privilege to choose a family or ethnic group before being born. In short, it is beyond our capability. Why should a fellow human born in the same circumstance decide that their skin color is much better than the other? Why should one feel that they are entitled to privilege because one belongs to a particular ethnic group? What if you were born to a different race or ethnic group? I mean, it is a matter of possibilities. Would one still be happy to be born with varying skin colors and be treated how people of that particular color are treated and be comfortable with that? These are the questions every individual is supposed to question themselves before having the thought of discriminating against someone because of their race, skin color, or ethnic group. In a study case conducted in San Francisco in the year 2017, the pediatric academic societies indicate that out of a sample of almost ninety-six thousand children, only 5.4% of them were not subject to racial discrimination and its effects.
Different social contexts exist on how various people face racial discrimination regarding which country or culture one is born. Racial discrimination is understood and conducted differently in other countries. For instance, counties in the Africa continent consist of a majority of black people. Someone will think due to this color similarity; then, racial discrimination does not exist. Unfortunately, black people discriminate against their fellow black people by who looks ‘lighter.’ We refer this to colorism. This is discrimination against someone’s skin shade or color within people of the same race. There are cases that people believe that one who has a lighter skin complexion among the black race is more beautiful and valuable than the one with a darker complexion. We see discrimination against skin color among people of the same ethnicity in many sectors, like the justice departments, business settings, school settings, churches, health care, politics, and many more. The judicial system, which is supposed to protect its citizens, is in the lead front of discrimination in White people who tend to see racism in biased and relativist interpretations. For instance, many white countries think that the USA is notorious for racial discrimination. The Canadians assume they have less of an issue to deal with racial discrimination. Countries like Australia feel better off than New Zealand because they have ‘reduced’ racial discrimination cases. These kinds of thoughts are what promote white supremacy and even spread into black countries. It does not make any country better because they have a few racial discrimination cases than the other countries. This leads to relaxation and tolerance of this kind of prejudice.
There are the urgency and relevance to tackle this severe kind of problem that faces all social groups. Imagine a well-educated and qualified candidate in a job interview who lack that job opportunity because of one’s skin color or ethnicity (Pager et al., 2018). This affects the individual the organization in a manner that the possible results that would have been achieved by this individual are not likely to be achieved by the person who has the ‘privileged’ skin color. Overall, a country’s economy is affected. (Arrow et al., 1998). Reports of children and students who are victims of racial discrimination show that they suffer major anxiety disorders of feeling less or unwanted. Political statuses of countries are full of bias because some citizens will follow the ideology of a ‘light-skinned’ politician; however, much of the doctrines are not in alignment with the country’s best interests. Suicide cases are on the rise because most people feel rejected because of their skin color or ethnicity. Churches and denominations divide because of ethnicity. People die in health care facilities because the doctors and nurses prefer to attend to the type of skin-colored people they like. The youth who are tomorrow’s leaders are now victims of these problems, and most of them agree with this kind of discrimination. It is essential that the countries create empowerment to the citizens and especially the youth, to educate them on the importance of fair treatment among everyone regardless of skin color or ethnicity. (Pager et al., 2018)
I acknowledge how many social groups and countries have come on board to fight racial discrimination, but I think there is much to deal with. The United Nations has been at the forefront to help African countries improve human rights against racial discrimination. The introduction of legislative measures against racial discrimination is set, and most states have taken the initiative to uphold them. Countries like Uruguay have taken upon themselves to enact policies against racial discrimination in higher education centers and business centers. Some countries like Greece and Chile can now punish any cases reported about racial discrimination. (Gomez et al., 1985) The UN also monitors these policies and change them to suit the interests of every human being. The UN is also creating awareness and educating citizens on the effects of racial discrimination.
However, from the rising racial discrimination cases, it is evident that we need to do more. Stricter policies and laws should be set in place to punish anyone who discriminates against race. Organizations like the UN can educate and train most of its members, deploy them to every country to oversee, and help uphold the rules and regulations set to curb racial discrimination. They create a safe space for those who face discrimination to report such instances and the perpetrators to face sentencing and jail time by the judicial system. Politicians who think they are above the law can have warnings that can lead to face charges against the international courts. (Maran et al., 2002) I would also propose a different approach to dealing with racial discrimination from both people of the same ethnicity to people of different ethnicities. Apart from stricter rules and punishments, governments should introduce a subject to the curriculum that creates awareness and educates the children as they grow up on the effects of racial discrimination. The lessons will help change the narrative and lead to children growing up in a loving society full of consideration of every other person’s feelings. For adults, seminars and workshops can help spread knowledge. Social media is another platform that the government and its citizens can use to help eliminate racial discrimination. Content that promotes discrimination should not be allowed into the eye of social media. The government should advise social media consumers to report any racial discrimination cases and immediate response taken against the offenders. Just as we are all trying to eliminate corruption and other social problems like drug abuse and many others, racial discrimination should not be an exception. Organizations and companies that want to employ people who look better than the other in terms of color should not be at peace because the humanitarian NGOs and the local governments should cancel their respective licenses and face charges against discrimination. Generally, it’s upon every individual to take the responsibility to know that everyone’s birth into this world is something no one can control. I mean, haven’t there been cases of two white parents bringing forth a black child. It’s beyond human understanding and capability to change some of these facts.
In conclusion, social groups face different social problems, but most of the issues are manageable. It only takes to change the state of one’s mind to realize that some actions and words can hurt and destroy someone else’s self-esteem. Racial discrimination is one of them. The idea that there are companies that produce skin-lighting products is a paradox. It is helping and not helping at the same time. I wish there won’t be a need for anyone to change their skin color because one feels less of who they are unless it is self-initiated or preference. Everyone is beautiful in their skin. It’s high time society enlightens the boys and girls that skin color or race does not define beauty, but how one treats a fellow human being. We cannot take advantage because the effects of racial discrimination are enough to ultimately send a whole country’s progress into the drain because of the division it can cause. Therefore, racial discrimination should urgently be dealt with to avoid future repercussions.
Reference.
Arrow, K. J. (1998). What has economics to say about racial discrimination? Journal of economic perspectives, 12(2), 91-100
Gomez Del Prado, J. L. (1985). United Nations conventions on human rights: the practice of the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in dealing with reporting obligations of States Parties. Hum. Rts. Q., 7, 492.
http://www.aappublications.org/collection/pas-meeting-updates.
Maran, R. (2002). A report from the United Nations world conference against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, Durban, South Africa, 2001. Social Justice, 29(1/2 (87-88), 177-185.
Pager, D., & Shepherd, H. (2008). The sociology of discrimination: Racial discrimination in employment, housing, credit, and consumer markets. Annu. Rev. Social, 34, 181-209.