The Existence of Racism Essay - 1696 Words

The Existence of Racism Racism is a term that is often used to describe a variety of social, culture and economic problems, but has, unfortunately, acquired â€Å"so many contradictory meanings that it takes on the aura of a myth,† it has become increasingly difficult to define (de Benoist, 1999, p. 11). Although the term wasn’t officially featured in the Larousse Dictionary until 1932, racism had been a dark cloud hanging over the global horizon for centuries (de Benoist, 1999). Before delving into the complex concept of racism, it is recommended that the student who is writing on this topic first consider the notion of race, which has been described as â€Å"a group of people with the same physical†¦show more content†¦296). There is also the notion of ‘genetic inheritance,’ which subjectively implies that some groups are superior to others (Vorster, 1999). This argument is rooted in belief that some groups sport a more impressive biological pedigree than others and are therefore better than other groups from the moment of birth. Finally, there is the idea that suggests that group diversity is forged through social behavior (Vorster, 1999). In other words, some groups simply have greater physical or intellectual capacities than others, which allow them to be easily categorized on the basis of superiority and inferiority (Vorster, 1999). Interestingly, these ideas seem to transcend all cultural barriers, which is why racism is prevalent in both primitive as well as civilized societies. There are three major factors which need to be considered in order to provide a sufficient overview of racism that lends itself to further, more detailed analysis. First, there is the ideology mentioned earlier, the significance of which cannot be underestimated (Vorster, 2002). In fact, back in 1978, UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization] issued a â€Å"Declaration of Race,† which defined racism as, â€Å"any theory claiming the intrinsicShow MoreRelatedExistence of the Black Table: Analyzing Racism in America581 Words   |  2 PagesThe Black Table: Does it still exist? All American teenagers segregate themselves to some extent. Look at any college cafeteria and you will see tables of students who label themselves (or who are labeled by others) as jocks, Goths, alternative, punks, and geeks. Teens and young adults are often desperate for a secure sense of identity and being a part of a clique or a group can satisfy this need. But one troubling trend in the eye of many adults is the tendency for students of colorRead More Implications of Racism in Canadian Society: R.D.S. v. The Queen1263 Words   |  6 PagesImplications of Racism in Canadian Society: R.D.S. v. The Queen The courtroom is no place to find the truth. 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