Racism Yesterday Today Essay, Research Paper

Introduction:

Racism is objectively defined as any practice of ethnic discrimination or segregation. Fortunately, racial violence is steadily declining as the turn of the century approaches. The three different basic forms of racism, open racism, violent racism, and covert racism all express forms of hatred towards distinct ethnic groups These basic forms of racism, although different in form, all have the same main purpose, to promote racism.

Three Basic Forms of Racism:

Open racism expresses freedom of racial thought and speech. Open racists promote their views through strictly persuasionary tactics. This form of racism is allowed in our society because of the First Amendment. Open racism is currently almost non existent and steadily declining, because it is considered politically incorrect and socially unacceptable. While violent racism promotes racism through violence, fear, and persuasionary tactics. This form of racism is not protected by the First Amendment because it promotes violence to express its ideas. Unfortunately many violent racial groups claim they do not promote violence, and therefore these groups are protected by the First Amendment because not enough sufficient evidence exists to prove their violent intent. Finally covert racism expresses ideas of racism in disguised forms; sometimes the covert racist is not even aware of the fact that he is racist. Some people nowadays are reluctant to express openly their dislike of like for minorities, they are not prepared to express publicly a statement that could be interpreted as racist. The suggestion that there is a new racism that has a new strength precisely because it doesn’t appear to be racism deserves serious consideration. Avoiding minorities on the street and denial of a public benefit to a minority which would be awarded to a white are examples of covert racism. Since it is no longer politically correct to openly express one’s racist views, people therefore favour disguised, indirect ways to express their racist ways. Covert racism is the most abundant form of racism in our society today.

Causes of Racism

What causes racism? Unfortunately, the answer is much longer and detailed than the question. The three main causes for racism are racism has become part of our heritage, right-wing racial and political groups, and pride in one’s own race. Since the dawn of man’s existence man has noticed differences between races. Frequently throughout history the ethnic group with the most power has assumed that its race and culture are superior to others. An example of this would be the slave incident which took place in America. Throughout history, racism has been strongly prevalent. Social and political groups and right-wing policies of racial inequality, promote racism as well. The following represent a few racist groups found throughout the world Heritage Front, Ku Klux Klan, Knights of the KKK, and NAAWP. All of these groups are given the freedom to express their ideas of racism because of the First Amendment Although the First Amendment protects the speech of these groups, many none the less find it necessary to use violence to promote their cause. Racist groups now tend to use covert racism to promote their message of racism throughout our society A large source of the racism present in our society stems from one’s pride in his own race. Many people, especially those associated with racist groups, find it necessary to put down other ethnic groups in an attempt to strengthen their own (B This mode of thought and reasoning usually results in hatred of other races,

Affirmative Action:

Many minorities all over America couldn’t get jobs solely based on there race. . The solution to this problem in the workplace and in receiving education was affirmative action, an executive order signed by President John F. Kennedy calling for an end to discrimination in the work place and education. Affirmative action has given many opportunities to minorities and women. Equal opportunity is the ultimate goal of affirmative action and that is exactly what it has provided. Affirmative action should not be banned. It’s true that affirmative action acts as a reverse discrimination and robs qualified white males of opportunities, but, without affirmative action, doors would be closed to minorities. Before affirmative action was created, minorities were given low skill jobs and never given a chance to further their education beyond high school. Affirmative action has given women equal rights. Women were given rights just like men. without affirmative action women would be still stuck at home doing nothing because of sexist men who do not think they can do the same job as men can. . More opportunity for minorities and women in jobs and school would equal less poverty. Affirmative action brings educational opportunities leading to job advancement and more productivity in industry. Affirmative action has produced a lot of professionals in fields that used to be mostly white males now more Black, Hispanic, and Asian people are becoming judges, scientists, engineers, and accountants. Affirmative action is the opportunity for minorities and women to reach their dreams. Affirmative action gives everyone equality. Without affirmative action jobs and education would not be open to minorities and women.

Important dates:

-March. 6, 1961 Executive Order makes the first reference to “affirmative action” President John F. Kennedy issues Executive Order which creates the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity

-Sept. 12, 1965 Executive Order enforces affirmative action for the first time Issued by President Johnson, the executive order requires government contractors to “take affirmative action” toward the hiring of minorities.

WCAR:

The World Conference Against Racism, is a group of many different nationalities which have a common goal, to end racism.

The objectives of WCAR are to:

-review all the factors leading to racism and racial discrimination.

-review progress in the fight against racism.

-increase awareness of the problem.

-recommend new (and improvements to existing) measures to fight racism.

Canada and the WCAR:

Throughout the history of mankind, and even today, religious, ethnic, and racial differences continue to be the cause of wars throughout the world. People continue to be persecuted because of their race and religion. At the United Nations (UN) World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Canada will have a unique opportunity to contribute to a new world vision in the fight against racism in the 21st Century by promoting the Canadian way of mutual respect and understanding. Canada will bring to the World Conference what they have learned about living in a multicultural society, where respect for identity, as well as the recognition, of diversity, can build bridges among peoples. Canada’s preparations are similar of Canadian values, respect for people of all origins a strong belief in peace and human security and the desire to build a society in which everyone can live fully in the political, economical, social and cultural life of their country. If Canada were to move forward, Canada must first acknowledge and take responsibility for our past to heal as a people that Canada did wrong. It is not possible to fight racism without acknowledging the truth of our own wrong doing. By working together to help establish Canada’s voice at the World Conference, Canada is joining the fight against hatred at home and abroad. If Canadians speak strongly internationally, the world’s children will have their best chance to grow up free from racism and discrimination.

ARA:

ARA is a network of regular people, together to solve a problem.

-What the ARA does:

Educate:

ARA has always maintained a highly active educational component in thier work. The ARA has sent speakers to hundreds of schools, churches, conferences and community groups throughout North America. They have spoken about racism with thousands of people of all ages and from all over the world.

Confront:

ARA Montreal successfully shut down a so-called “white power” concert, chasing off prejudiced from across Canada and the United States and causing local skinheads a huge financial

principals of the ARA Montreal:

1) ARA Montreal intends to do the hard work necessary to build a broad, strong movement against racism, sexism, and discrimination against the disabled, the oldest, and the youngest, of our society.

2) They go where they go. Wherever racists are organizing or active, they want to be there. Ignoring a problem doesn’t mean the problem no longer exists. In order to solve it, it has to first be confronted. For this reason, they are committed to ensuring that racist and terrorists never feel safe to operate openly in our/their communities.

3) They don’t rely on the cops or the courts. This doesn’t mean that they rule out using the legal system to achieve thier goals. But when the legal and policing institutions themselves are clearly corrupted by racism, how can they be trusted to do what’s right? They understand that they need to rely on themselves to protect thier communities and to stop the racist.