RACISM

A universal definition of racism is "Prejudice or discrimination by one group toward others perceived as a different 'race', plus the power to enforce it.”

In spite of differences in the language, culture, religion, nationality, appearance, skin colour and numerous other such factors, the basic anatomical structure and physiology are same among all human beings. These fundamental changes in characteristics are also influenced by the environmental and geographical variations and are hereditary, making these traits more noticeable and peculiar. That is the way one ‘race’ distinguishes itself from another. The uniqueness of each race, whether in appearances or customs or traditions, is what preserves the individuality of a specific group of people, contributing to the diverse and rich cultural heritage nationwide.

Despite sharing such striking uniformity, not all the individuals showcase solidarity and respect towards other human beings. Groups with strong differences in cultural identity , for example the Jews, the gypsies or even the dark skinned people from India and Africa have been repeatedly subjected to the baneful impacts of prejudice and racism often leading to horrific outcomes.

Racism has got its ancient and complex origin way back in the 18^th Century European continent, from where it spread its tentacles worldwide, flourished, and very much persists in the modern world. While ‘Prejudice’ is merely an attitude that is emotionally tormenting and extremely demoralizing, Racism is more action-oriented and involves the use of power and influence to impose superiority of a particular race. For example, Europeans claimed to be the most civilized, advanced and therefore a paramount race and so treated the Africans and Asians like 'sub-humans'. They took undue advantage of the extreme poverty that was persistent in their tribal life style and forced them to accept their subordination, resulting in massive and malicious exploitation. The ‘blacks’ as they were referred to, had no choice but to accept their ‘inferiority status’ as their lands and self-dignity had been encroached upon.

However, in today’s times, international and local laws have been implemented all around the globe that strictly prohibits any kind of slavery, making it a severely punishable offence. Ethnicity does not determine the amount of remuneration that a person should receive; sheer merit and work capacity are taken into account. The governments of America, Africa and Asian countries are making efforts to abolish racial discrimination prevalent in the society. Some methods to reduceracism and promote tolerance include public education, changing the attitudes of both "oppressed" and "oppressor"; legal and political change, enforcing equality until it becomes normative behavior; changing portrayals of racist minorities in the media. The scenario has improved considerably, but has not been eradicated completely. There is still a large section of society in developed countries where immigrants are treated with contempt and disregard and have often suffered from arbitrary action. Sometimes the expression of dissent is so heinous that they make to the headlines of newspapers and therefore comes under the vigilance of public eye. But the matter of concern is that most of the cases or daily life racist behaviour goes unnoticed. This leads to the vicious cycle of hatred and revenge. There have been numerous violent unexpected repercussions in the past that denote nothing but the ill effects of racism, for example the ‘danga’- The gruesome ethnic riots between the two most prominent religious groups in India, Hindus and Muslims.

The motivations of racism are being researched upon till date. Some possible reasons that have been stated, are, the psychological needs of a human for a ‘scapegoat’, someone to project all fear and evil into and dictate terms to, the sadist psychology of condescension. It may also arise from the fear of retaliation for harm done to others. But the most profound cause of racism is the need to maintain “racial purity” and status quo. Certain proponents claim that the individuality and diversity of the numerous ethnic groups in our society have their own set of values, and their own way of contributing to humanity. Therefore their unique identity should be protected and kept free of contamination of any sort; for example, the practice of inter-caste or cross-cultural marriages. They set up sharp boundaries regarding how much they would interact with other groups and limits to how they would share resources and power.

It has been proven scientifically that all the humans had a common descent. So, it is only an insult to humanity to discriminate on the basis of differences in culture or physical traits, by their castes and classes. Nowhere in the all the ancient or modern history of the earth has a specific group been cited as more noteworthy than another. Therein lies the futility of racism.