Reasons Education Is the Key to Ending Racism-for Real This Time
You Seriously Need to Read This
One evening, like most, I was at work. Then John comes in, "what a fucking bitch", I said to myself. This disheveled man had just made a racist comment about MY coworker, as if he thought I was going to agree or something. Though I couldn't say anything because I was on the clock, I most defiantly would have if I wasn't.
Across the United States people are being treated like shit based off their skin color or race. When will it end? When did this become socially acceptable?
Which factors contribute to racism, and how can we prevent and overcame it in the United States? Local government agencies and education facilities should provide more education on racism to help prevent and overcome it as a society.
What current are issues tied to racism, and how do they affect those targeted? According to Roberts, some of the most common issues are viewing others as inferior, denying them human rights, stereotyping before getting a first impression, and even physical violence.
Putting anyone in any of those positions can trigger strong emotional responses, ranging from anger to sadness. People affected will not speak up, defend themselves, or defend others in similar situations. No one should have to walk outside their home and be worried about something might happen or being denied a job based off the color of their skin or texture of hair. Also, institutional racism is still behind segregation and poverty in certain neighborhoods due to policies put in place decades ago, according to Arthur. America is known for making something of yourself from nothing and where inclusivity is valued except for when it comes to people who are "different".
Why should everyone be educated on these issues and how they affect people? It is very important to be educated about these social injustices, so we stop repeating it in history. Roberts explains that these issues were once justified through laws and policies. Racism has existed in the United States for decades and even though it has gotten a whole lot better over the past 50 years, it is still an ongoing issue. The government and education facilities should provide more programs and courses addressing racism. The more access to information means the more people can learn from past actions. The golden rule is often forgotten and should be reminded about more; people often don't realize how their actions affect others. Those who value empathy will take a second back and change their actions, but only if they understand how they are affecting others.
Anonymous user made an opposing claim on Instagram:
What are steps as a society of the United States can take to help prevent and overcome racism?
One way to prevent racism is to avoid promoting it to children. Even if you do not agree with it, do not be a fucking idiot and hide your opinions while around them. Children tend to copy attitudes and actions that surround them, an adult being racist will not bring any good. Another way is to teach yourself to get over a fixed mindset and unconscious bias, learn how to have an open mind and be less judgy. The best thing to do is teach them when discrimination and racism is and why it is bad. It is clear when some parents do not raise their kids right.
To overcome racism, Arthur argues that educators can implement diversity in the classroom and help students gain new perspectives. This can be done by acknowledging different racial and ethnic holidays as a lesson for the day or hosting a food cultural day for lunch. In fact, it is proven that exposure to different cultures will change the students' views and will eventually affect all students positively, as said by Arthur. Also, some government funded programs can start doing more pop-ups around the country to introduce more people. This can be done with better advertisement and making the events more inclusive by introducing more than one ethnic group at each event.
I believe as a society we can 100% overcome racism if everyone tries. If someone was treating you like shit based off your race or ethnicity, you wouldn't like it. It's unfair to judge or mistreat someone simply because you can't get over yourself. It is free to be kind. Being racist is like a disease that spreads ignorance and hate. Taking the proper steps to educate yourself will not only help you, but it will make you a better person overall. Also, you won't only be helping yourself but the society too. Don't pitch in when others are saying racist things, but instead say something; stand up for the person they are speaking to or about.
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