Racism Essay, Research Paper

My background is Italian, so that makes me Italian-Canadian. The only

time I have personally experienced racism was when I was called a

“wop.” This is how it felt: hurtful, degrading, humiliating. This is

what it made me feel like as a person: worthless, inferior, powerless.

Is this what goes on in the world? Is it truly fair? That is what my

experience made me wonder.

People who taunt others, in my opinion, are actually insecure about

themselves. It might be because they are uncomfortable with who they

are as a person, or how they look, but whatever the reason is, they

only put down others to build themselves up. These kind of people are

often very brave in front of others, but lose much of their power when

on their own. This goes to show, racism isn’t just caused by just one

person, but many people who have had ideas put into their heads. These

leaders would be powerless without their followers. A famous example

of this is Adolf Hitler.

Hitler was a German dictator and soldier who vocalized his extreme

racist veiws to the Mien Kampf. He was appointed chancellor in 1933,

and clearly expressed his opinions, which led to the policy of the

extermination of Jews. He was a great leader, and once even recieved a

bravery award in WWI.

Hitler started a Great massacre, known as The Holocaust, in particular,

the complete extermination of European Jews and others by the Nazis in

Germany (1933-45). Jews, as well as others considered racially

inferior by the Nazis, were killed in concentration camps.

Concentration camps were detention centres for people considered

racially or socially undesirable and political opponants.What went on

in these camps was truely horrible: gruesome medical experiments,

slave labour, discusting and brutal torture methods. Total Jewish

deaths estimated at more than 6 million.

It is disturbing to even think that an evil character such as Hitler

was admired and respected by so many people, when his veiws were so

obviously distorted and cruel. What could drive someone to do

something as terrible as that is beyond me. But, sadly, even though

Holocaust is over, many people still believe Jews are dirty and don’t

deserve to live. And the discrimanation doesn’t end with Jewish

people, people also discriminate against: African Americans, Asians,

Caucasions, Hispanics, and Oriental people.

Organizations such as the KKK or the Black Panthers are strictly black

against white. They kill each other and promote extreme hate towards

each other only because of the colour of their skin. It seems so

insane, but these groups are to self-absorbed, ignorant, and stubborn

to realize this. The KKK doesn’t understand how completely stupid they

look in their ‘uniforms’ (long white robes and bizarre looking pointed

hats) and to tell the truth when I see them on television putting down

black people I am embarrassed to be part of the white race, knowing

that people like them exist. One of my best friends is black, and if

someone ever put him down because of his race I would want to kill

them, because they don’t know what a great person he is, they are only

focusing on the colour of his skin.

I think others can hurt people unintentionally, such as when a friend

calls you a name in a joking way. They think you took it as a joke,

but it might really make you feel uncomfortable. In many rap songs they

sing about ”niggas” or, traditionally, “niggers.” I am not sure if

I’m up to the times, but last time I checked the word “nigger” was a

completely unacceptable racial slur directed to African American

people, but now they are using it in their own music. It doesn’t make

sense to me.

If you experience racism you should ignore the bully and walk away. If

that doesn’t work, look the person in the eye and say “Leave me

alone.” If they do not, inform a parent, teacher, or trusted adult.

They will see that the abuse stops immediatly. Always remember that no

one has the right to belittle you in any way, and racial comments are

never acceptable in any circumstances. If you have an unappropriate

comment to make, keep it to yourself, save others the pain, no one

wants to hear it.

In conclusion, no matter what anyone says, we are all equal, regardless

of where we came from or what we look like. Racism is not only

offensive to those who are it’s victims; it ruins lives and hurts

people emotionally, mentally, and physically. Racism is WRONG.